Ziguinchor

Ziguinchor is the most populous city in Casamance, with around 230,000 residents. The Ziguinchor, founded by the Portuguese in 1645 and later taken over by France in 1888, became a very rich city because of the groundnut trade. It is a laid-back city with large colonial houses from the historical period. It is still the best place to start your tour of Casamance. It is vital to watch the battle of ancient struggles "Mbapatt" in Lower Casamance. Traditional wrestling is regarded as a spiritual and sporting practice by its wrestlers. The wrestlers struggle in a violent combat to the sound of percussion, griots, and songs. This is a must-see performance.

While the major attractions are few and far between – the bustling Marche Saint Maur des Fosses, the strange roundabouts of Place Jean-Paul II – the real draw is the place's earthy African spirit. Furthermore, Ziguinchor is the preferred entry point to the Casamance region, where pirogue boats weave their way through riverways and the Sahelian plains give way to lush Guinean forests.

What are the different activities to do?

• Discover beautiful city of Ziguinchor.
• Visit the exhibitions and shows at the cultural center of the Franco-Senegalese
  alliance.
• Purchase trinkets at the St-Maur-des-Fossées market.
• Attend the traditional fighting battle of Lower Casamance.

Location: Casamance