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Here are a few things that you may come across if traveling to Senegal or the Gambia.
auberge – hostel or small hotel
balafon – wooden xylophone typically played by griots
calèche – horse-drawn cart used to carry goods and people, particularly in the rural regions of Senegal
dibiterie – grilled-meat stall
fête – festival (Senegal)
gargotte – basic eating house or stall (Senegal)
IMF – International Monetary Fund
kora – 21-string harp-lute
maison de passage – very basic place to sleep, often near bus stations; with a bed or mat on the floor and little else, and nearly always doubling as a brothel; also called chambres de passage
Ndiaga Ndiaye – white Mercedes bus, used as public transport; also called alham (Senegal)
pagne – length of cloth worn around the waist as a skirt (Senegal)
quartier – area
sabar – tall, thin, hourglass drum
taxi-brousse – bush taxi (Senegal)
village artisanal – craft market (Senegal)
zouk – style of music, originally from Guadeloupe, that mixes African and Latin-American rhythms
Thanks to Lonely Planet’s The Gambia & Senegal; 3rd Edition.
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