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A Saint in the City– Sufi Arts of Urban Senegal

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Instructor: Cheryl Blank-Zeichner

Students: Various

Objective:

1. Students will become more knowledgeable about modern-day Senegal and the significance of one charismatic Sufi leader, Amadou Bamba.
2. Students will become more aware and understanding of Islam and offset any misunderstandings and negative stereotypes about the religion and their followers.

Procedures:

1. The students were introduced to the Harn Art Museum in Gainesville, Florida and discussed how they were traveling the world (Senegal) by way of the museum.
2. The students tour the art, music and other cultural elements from Senegal.
3. Students will select art that they would like to draw and then sit in front of that art and “reproduce” the art.
4. As a group, the students and teacher will contrast and compare their lives with the life of a Sufi, as depicted in the art.  Markets, religious buildings, clothing, and streets were the most common elements exhibited and discussed.
5. Students and teacher will then discuss the concepts of “fairness,” “survival,” and “responsibilities.”
6. Students and teacher will also discuss the concepts of “fantasy” and “reality” in the art.

Student Feedback:

The students were very excited to see the exhibit. They particularly enjoyed seeing people with dark skin in pictures that were larger than life. They also enjoyed going into the prayer room.