Thiès

The Thiès discreet is worth more than detour

Second city in Senegal, 70 km east of Dakar, 274 000 inhabitants, daily rail link with Dakar.

Who has the curiosity to examine the old maps from the archives of the Eastern Africa you will find Thiès indicated there: Thies is an old town where there is a special atmosphere patiently shaped by emotional events, historical and contemporary who have an impact on her, without distorting.

Thies is a mystery, an old lady to whom it is not made: she has seen so much...

Originally it was part of Cayor region, which was from the hero of resistance against the French colonial ambitions Lat Dior, Thiès is located only 20 km of Tivaouane (stronghold of the tidjianisme), is a city marked by an open islam and tolerant which discover a peaceful catholisisme.

Despite its status as the second city of Senegal and its has 274 000 inhabitants, the city of Thies has managed to protect themselves from the tourist bustle of large urban areas such as Dakar and cultivates a nonchalance apparente that has nothing to do with idleness.

Thies is a young city and active: the major part of its population works in the phosphate  mines of Taiba and Pallo.

THE BEST AMBASSADORS OF THEIR CITY : THE THIESSOIS THEMSELVES.

Despite the article of the Mayor of Thiès Idrissa Seck, who made the headlines more often than his turn as a right-hand man of the president Wade under his first term, Prime Minister and then ex-Prime Minister, Thiès guard his serene side: she has seen so many others including this brave Lat Dior nightmare of the French colonists.

"the Great work of Thies" initiated by a party of independence which never took place, described as "pharaonic" by some and "useless" by others while shaved a few houses the heritage of the city would have earned to keep intact but the streets of the city center have been redone. To the detriment however of the suburbs...

The city of Thies are divide into wide paths lined with Green and shady Foliage trees and airier than Dakar: the constructions are less condensed and anarchic.

 VISIT TO THE RAIL DISTRICT

The cost of living, taxis, rents, etc. are also much lower and visits in markets are much less stressful...

A Thiès on peut laisser du temps au temps… S’attarder devant un étal ou une échoppe en plein marché, échanger, comparer, revenir sur ses pas, hésiter, échanger avec un vendeur sans se faire harponner ni tirailler de toute part.

In Thiès we can give time to time... Linger in front of a stall or a stall in the open market, Exchange, compare, retrace his steps, hesitate, exchange with a seller without getting harpoon or tugging on all sides.

Thies, the ambitious city, also has been the means of its ambitions, big agriculture and big schools, officers and polytechnics, among the best in the country, settled there.

Thiès is the twinned of Caen since the 1957, this pairing has been put in by Léopold Sédar Senghor, the Mayor at the time.

Equipped with a rich history, not devoid of places to visit for those who love short cuts and know to linger, the discreet of Thiès WINS to be visited.

CARTES POSTALES DE THIÈS/ THIÈS POSTCARDS

The neighborhood "Ibrahima Sarr" ex colonial Ballabey city with its villas indolently nestled in the shade of the old trees.

The historical museum open from 9 to 18: 00 from Monday to Friday inclusive: located in the old Faidherbe fort, built in the year 1864 revamped (rebuilt) in the year 1879 in order to have a look on the axis Saint Louis Gorée.

At that time, thousands of Senegalese tirailleurs(soldier) where been trained. The place has since been classified as an historical heritage. Today the fort as given virginity by sheltering the famous historical Museum house.

You can see in the historic Hall of Neolithic objects or protohistoric reproductions of historical scenes. One thing is certain: by coming out, you'll be better informed on the different mayors of Thiès.

You will also have more views on the economic situations caught economic and the geography of the region.

Same place but another building: you will be able to view the windows on agriculture, fishing and the panels on the history of slave trade, rail, of different kingdoms, etc.

Other buildings also present in the place one of which is specialized in fixed glass: to visit.

http://www.museedethies.sn/

The Senegalese manufacture of decorative arts
Open from Monday to Friday from 8 h a13h30 and from 14:30 a18h30

You can also attend the work of the weavers who weave the point of Aubusson on colorful cartons, the tapestries are displayed in a gallery in Rotunda. Count 500 000 FCFA approximately per square meter.

The craft village: depending on trades Chamber , located in a former military base posted not far from the national centre for sports education (CNEPS).

The trades in this place!

Carvers of wood, cabinet makers, tanners on skins, leather workers, shoemakers, carpenters, weavers, fashion designers of painters jewelers are working in various workshops.

70 business leaders, and a little more than seventy companions are working in harmony!

 The market located in the avenue of Gare

At the level of the town hall a place has been recently converted to accommodate concerts, so if you arrive in full show, release yourself to be carried away by the rhythm with djembes and other attractions!

Attention to these few places mentioned above dose not"make" Thies who has many other qualities than "a must-see places", Thies is also a breeding ground for theatre and often comic actors who regularly see the beautiful day of the Dakar inhabitant...

Thies is an essence, a very special atmosphere, and who has never set feet on it cannot understand what we are saying!

A little story

Why when speaking of Thies are we talking about rail node?

Because... We are in the the year 1860s, Thies is a small cushy serere village  with just 75 souls...

First of all the garrison, was the creation of the line of  Dakar - Saint Louis railway that gave him momentum and made it a town in sight, so much that we see that Léopold Sédar Senghor helped his political classes before attacking  Dakar...

Located at the crossroads of the ancient kingdoms of Djolof, of the Cayor and Baol, the city of Thies has, due to his geographical position, imposed as the obligatory passage of  Dakar-Bamako railroad lines...

Today, the railway line Dakar to Saint-Louis is unfortunately suspended, but a daily link to Dakar - Thies is assured.

Note that Thies is also an important intersection road.

IBRAHIMA SARR, FIRST TRADE UNIONIST

In the year 1947, in Thies, where the first war took place in the colonial history.

Leader of hostilities: Ibrahima Sarr, a trade unionist fully aware of his rights and that of his companions in misfortune.

The striker reclaim: of better working conditions.

Legend says that that before the inflexibility of workers and of their figurehead, the colonial authority representative have the bright idea to go ask the father of Ibrahima Sarr to return his son to have a better feelings, pro settlers of course.

But the father of Ibrahima refused flatly collude with the enemy. the Outcome of the negotiations, the strike lasted six months, at the end of which the rail employees obtained satisfaction. Very pleased with the outcome of the case, the strikers women marked ceremoniously by running their triumphant men over two kilometres of woven loincloths (luxury loincloths), the day of their return to work!

Thirteen years later, in the year 1960, Ibrahima Sarr became the Minister of public works. The independence of Senegal was proclaimed on the 4 of April 1960 although official papers ratifying the fact have been signed a few months earlier. Léopold Sédar Senghor became the first president of the independent Senegal.

Two years later in the year 1962 the same Ibrahima Sarr was arrested along with Mamadou Dia then the Prime Minister. Both were deported and jailed in Kédougou town located in the far end of the Eastern Senegal.

The Reason given by Senghor for sidelining the two politicians that he had dubbed a few months earlier: attempting state coup...

For More information on the site of the Mayor of Thiès visite: www.villedethies.org

source http://www.au-senegal.com/thies-capitale-du-rail,1122.html