The person drowning in this Covid-19 exposition is metaphorical in depicting water as a source of death, conflict, war and tension (Source: Abdoulaye Touré, 2021, CC BY-NC-ND 4.0).
Water, through Words and Evils: The Case of Saint-Louis

Authors

  • Moustaph Ndiaye Island of Saint-Louis, Senegal

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DOI:

https://doi.org/10.58981/bluepapers.2023.2.12

Abstract

Certain cultures portray the sacredness of water in rituals performed daily and to mark different stages of life. Water has been revered the home of protective spirits, according to myths and legends, such as those of the Serer people in Senegal. This spiritual connection between water and people, which has favored its preservation, has been undermined with the emergence of industrialization and urbanization. This shift in perception has led to water being viewed primarily as a commodity. The Island of Saint-Louis is faced with a paradox of benefits and challenges due to its colonial cultural heritage and unique deltaic condition. This article discusses the vulnerability of the site and its water heritage along with the opportunities it could bring for sustainable development of the island.

How to Cite

Ndiaye, M. (2023). Water, through Words and Evils: The Case of Saint-Louis. Blue Papers, 2(2). https://doi.org/10.58981/bluepapers.2023.2.12

Published

2023-11-09

Issue

Section

methodologies and case studies

Author Biography

Moustaph Ndiaye, Island of Saint-Louis, Senegal

Moustaph Ndiaye is the site manager of the World Heritage Site of the Island of Saint-Louis in Senegal. With an academic background in building and maintenance in the context of the World Heritage Site Grand Bassam in Ivory Coast, he has also provided training on the development and management of cultural projects and legal capacity. In 2010 he focused on cultural projects management in the scope of the cooperation between Nord-Pas-de-Calais and Saint-Louis. He went on to coordinate the documentary film The Walls Remember about the architectural heritage of the Island of Saint-Louis. He served as the director of the regional cultural center of Saint-Louis. Currently, he delivers presentations and participates in various international seminars and festivals as a representative of the island.

References

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EnQuete+. 2020. “Le PDT/SL Est ni Concerné ni impacté par ce débat sur la Statue de Faidherbe’’ [The PDT/SL is neither concerned nor impacted by this debate on the statue of Faidherbe.] Interview of Ibrahima Diagne, July 25, 2020. https://www.enqueteplus.com/content/ibrahima-diagne-chef-de-projet-du-programme-de-developpement-touristique-de-saint-louis-et.

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UNESCO. n.d. “World Heritage List.” https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/956 (accessed November 29, 2022).

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