THE GRAND MAGAL IN TOUBA: A RELIGIOUS FESTIVAL OF THE MOURIDE BROTHERHOOD OF SENEGAL

Abstract

The grand magal is the annual festival of an indigenous Senegalese Muslim brotherhood, the Mourides. It takes place in Touba, the holy city of this religious order. The paper examines the grand magal as an expression of the Mourides' popular culture and piety. It emphasizes the different rituals which shape this annual celebration and analyzes the meaning of the festival both within broader Senegalese society and in respect to the state. It demonstrates that the pilgrimage should be situated in the political sphere if it is to be understood fully.