The Korité Kid

Those who imagine the Muslim world to be a single unified block of believers might be surprised that in just one West African country, Senegal, there are any number of different groups of Muslims, none of whom conform to the supposed hegemony of Saudi Wahhabism. In Senegal, as in many parts of Muslim Africa, Sufism dominates, with its devotion to local saints, whose images are painted on walls and reproduced in stickers on every taxi dashboard.

The four main Muslim groups in Senegal take the form of Brotherhoods: the Xaadir, the Tijaniyya, the Mourides and the Layènes. In addition, other more local marabouts, or Islamic teachers, can have a powerful influence over a given population.

An illustration of this diversity was evident this week with the end of Ramadan. The signal to end the month of fasting is the first sighting of the new moon. This can be a pretty hit-or-miss affair and can lead to quite a lot of confusion. Oustaz Abdou Aziz Kébé, Head of the Arabic Department at Cheikh Anta Diop University, Dakar, explained:

The meteorologists say that it is impossible to see the crescent moon because of the overcast sky. But that does not mean it has not appeared. It may appear in neighbouring countries, in Mali or Mauritania. If we refer to the four Schools of Hanafite, Malikite, Hanbalite and Chaféite, we can note that the first three [...] accept that when the crescent moon appears somewhere, it is valid for all Muslims. Only the Chaféite School considers that each town must make its own sighting.
(source)

Thus for some, Ramadan ended yesterday; for most it was today, declared a national holiday by the Government.

One final confusion: the festival to mark the end of Ramadan is called Korité in Senegal, but is known elsewhere in the Muslim world as Aïd-el-fitr.

Whatever the differences in Brotherhoods, saints, schools of thought and moon sightings, all Muslims will agree that the end of Ramadan is an occasion to feast with your family, and, more importantly, wear your newly bought clothes.

This photo is of my neighbour, normally running barefoot in the sand, transformed today into an elegant young gentleman by his proud parents.

The reversed baseball cap was the boy’s own touch.

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