Kelsey Reinke: April 2012

Topic/Title:

Islamic Ramadan Traditions

Outline:

Introduction

According to the Religious Tolerance Group, 23% of people on Earth are Islamic. It is the second most followed religion, and growing at a substantial rate. After interviewing three West Africans, the Islamic religion has been a growing interest of mine, especially the practice of Ramadan. In this paper I’ll attempt to detail the philosophy and beliefs of Islam, search the history and name the importance of Ramadan, and conclude with current traditions of Ramadan in today’s society with an emphasis in West Africa.

Body

1. Islamic Religion

a. History of Islam

i. Islamic Calendar

b. Philosophy of Religion (Description)

i. Islamic Law

ii. Muslim Beliefs

iii. The Five Pillars of Islam

c. Saum Ramadan: The third Pillar

2. Ramadan

a. History of Raman

i. Origin of Ramadan

ii. Muhammad

iii. Qur’an

b. Importance of Ramadan

i. Reasons for the fast/Sacrifice

ii. Beliefs of the Muslims regarding Ramadan

c. Ramadan Celebrations

i. Eid ul-Fitr

ii. Eid al-Adha

3. Ramadan Celebrations Today

a. Date of Ramadan 2012

b. Traditions of Ramadan

i. Prayer

ii. Feasts with Families

c. Ramadan Celebrations in West Africa

Conclusion

After careful examination of Islam in Muslim culture, it becomes pretty eminent just how important the annual celebration of Ramadan is and why. In Arabic Islam refers to the serenity that is created by submission. Therefore, in order to become a good Muslim, one must be involved in the struggle that requires sacrifice during submission. Ramadan is celebrated around the world by millions of people, each culture only slightly varying. I found it very enlightening that fasting during Ramadan is meant to cultivate a higher sense of spirituality in the believer that is supposed to help them lead upright lives throughout the rest of the year. As a Christian I celebrate Lent, which has a fasting quality; but not to the same extent by far! What do you think; is this something that you could use to uplift you yearlong?

Interview Preparations

After interviewing two people from Guinea and getting a look at both sides of the economic scale, I decided it was best to try to find someone from a different country. However, I wanted to stay close to Guinea. I was talking to my roommate, Samantha, at home on March 31st about the assignment, and she told me she had a lot of friends from West Africa. I asked her if she could help me to find out if anyone of them would be interested in doing an interview with me. She texted six people, and right away her friend Bucca from Senegal texted back saying he would be happy to do so. I told him that my schedule was pretty open, and that he could pick out a time that worked best for him. He offered to let us drive over to his apartment that night so I could interview him there. Twenty minutes later, shortly after nine, Samantha and I entered his apartment over at the UVTs. I introduced myself, and explained a little bit about what I was doing and why, and then we started the interview. The interview itself was conducted at his dining room table, and I set my camera up on the table after asking him if that was ok to record it.

Interview Report

I am once again very pleased to say that this interview went very well. Bucca was willing to answer all of the questions I asked, and was very detailed in his answers where he could be. All of the goals that I had for the interview were surpassed. Including, my biggest goal of comparing two West African cultures. For the most part, they seem rather similar, just have a few cultural differences. I was actually surprised at how much they did have in common. It seems like the government changes in Guinea are really pushing them to the point that Senegal is at. I think that the thing that intrigued me most about this interview was how big wrestling is in Africa. I guess that is just something that I have never heard before. Also, the transportation system reminded me much of Europe. Most families have cars, but still take the public transportation system. This is good for everyone I think!

Country Report

Senegal is a french speaking country located in West Africa. The country borders the North Atlantic ocean, between Guinea-Bissau and Mauitania. The country is slightly smaller than the state of South Dakota. Typically they have two climate seasons throughout the year. A tropical; hot, humid; rainy season lasting from May to November. Also a dry season lasting from December through April dominated by hot, dry, harmattan winds. It consists of generally low, rolling, plains rising to foothills in the southeast. There biggest natural resources are fish, phosphates, and iron ore.

The Republic of Senegal is an Islamic state; however, the government is not really based on Islamic holy law. They are officially a republic system, and run much like a the democratic society in the United States. Most of the country, 95%, are Muslim with the remaining being Christian or indigenous. The most important holiday that they celebrate is Ramadan, the month of fasting. Bucca informed me that this is done as a sacrifice to God, and they also sacrifice an animal. They fast from food, drink, and technology from sun up to sun down. Afterwards they have the biggest holiday of year, Eid, in which every family goes to the mosque together around ten am, and then celebrates the rest of the day by saying hello and visiting friends and family. On a regular day the Muslim people are taught to pray five times a day. The mosque calls out during each time of prayer, and if so, people are expected to collectively pray there. If they can't they stay at home and pray there. Religion is a major part of people's lives in Senegal.

The most typical greeting in Senegal is the handshake. Most of the time hugging is saved for intimate relationships and not widely accepted. However; close friendship between a male and a female my introduce with a kiss on the cheek according to Bucca. Children usually start school around the ages of usually three or four. The more money a family has tends to determine whether or not there is a lot of pressure to go to school and get a formal education. Since the education system is not set up very well, and most public schools go on strike a lot, richer families definitely have more opportunity. Bucca also mentioned that Universities are not very good in Senegal; therefore, richer children tend to go abroad to study after high school, but poorer children get whatever job they can get with their high school diploma.

There are two main sports in Senegal. The most famous of the professional leagues is soccer; however, recreationally most people wrestle. The best of the best even organize fight competitions about once a year so the big guys can fight one another. Bucca noted that walking is the most common form of transportation around Senegal. Also, even though most families own cars public transportation is heavily relied on. The most common of these is like a subway since taxis are rather expensive. Rice is the most common food in Senegal. Bucca noted that unlike Americans, the Senegalese prefer to cook with a lot of spices for flavor.

Sources

CIA World Fact Book

Interview Transcription

K = Kelsey

B = Bucca

K: Well first off, thank you again for your time this evening! I will just be asking you a few questions about your home country. In that case, can we start by you telling me your name and where you are from?

B: Umm well my name is Bucca and I am from Senegal. This is a country in West Africa.

K: What language is spoken in Senegal?

B: French mainly; but I also speak Wolof. French is the academic language; however, and the traditional language that everyone has picked up when they don’t go to school is Wolof.

K: How long have you been in the United States?

B: Seven Years

K: What brought you here?

B: Ah, school. I did post-secondary schooling at first, and then college.

K: Ok, and you study at SCSU, right?

B: Yeah I study there.

K: What are you going for?

B: I went for finance first, and now I am going back for business education.

K: Oh very cool! Can you describe the typical greetings in your culture and what they mean?

B: Most of the time we say the Islam term for “Peace be upon you.” It is the religious way to say hello, because I come from a very religious country. Since Senegal is a 95% Muslim country that is the most common way people say hi to one another.

K: When you meet somebody is it generally a handshake, nod, or hug?

B: Most of the time when you are walking down the street and see somebody that you know it is just a handshake. If you are greeting them at your house or something it is generally a handshake.

K: No hugs or anything?

B: No those are not very common; except in intimate relationships. Between friends it might be like a kiss on the cheek between a male and female, but between males it is just a handshake.

K: Ok, can you describe a typical day for a school aged child in your country?

B: Probably get up around seven in the morning, have breakfast, and then take the bus to school at about eight until noon. Then between noon and two he has a break, tries to go home to have lunch. Then go back to school at two until five or six. Sometimes some of them stay between five and six just to do their homework, and then go home and play soccer or basketball until like eight o’clock. They have a snack maybe around five; and then at eight, eight thirty have dinner. They probably go to bed somewhere around ten.

K: You say that most of the children do get an education?

B: Yeah, most of them get an education; but then, the richer ones get a better education because they go to like a private school. It is really what you want back home, because the public schools go on strikes all the time. The education system isn’t set up very well, so they don’t really learn much when they go to a public school.

K: Ok, in the last interview that I did with a guy from Guinea said that the children of lower economically families don’t really get the chance to get an education, because they are forced to go to work at a young age to help support the family.

B: Exactly, yeah.

K: Do you see that same type of deal going on in Senegal?

B: Well, not in the area that I’m from because I’m from the capital city. We are better economically situated people, but there are still are poorer people that go to public schools because it is free that way they don’t have to pay for it. You know the thing is like, once they graduate from high school they don’t really get the opportunities like I did to come here or go other places over seas to study. Universities are not that great where we come from, so after high school they get a job and that’s it.

K: That’s it?

B: Yeah

K: What kind of government is in charge?

B: Government?

K: Like is it a democracy like we have here?

B: Yeah, yeah it is a democracy.

K: So when you came over to America, did the democracy system that we have here affect you at all? Or is it pretty much the same?

B: It is pretty much the same.

K: Ok, um what are the different modes of transportation used?

B: Most people walk, but people also uses buses and taxis. However, taxis are rather expensive. So instead some people just drive cars, or take another form of public transportation. Here it would be considered a subway, but it’s nothing like a train. It is more like a mini bus. It is pretty cheap too, so I would say that that’s what most people use.

K: Ok, do most families own vehicles?

B: Um yeah, at least one. However, they still use the public transportation a lot.

K: Cool, what age to children start school?

B: Three or maybe four.

K: Ok, and you were saying earlier that once they do graduate they aren’t under a ton of pressure from society to pursue higher education? Most people just apply to work?

B: Yeah, but it depends on how much money you have and your family background. You know if you have money to fund education the yes. However, if you don’t have money you try to get a job with the high school diploma that you have.

K: Ok, so you were saying 95% of the country is Muslim?

B: Yeah

K: Are you Muslim?

B: Yeah I am Muslim?

K: What religious holidays do you celebrate, or other cultural events?

B: The biggest holidays would be Eid, you know Ramadan like where people fast?

K: Yes

B: Well at the end of it we have a holiday, and that is what it is.

K: How does a family usually celebrate on these occasions?

B: Everybody gets together, and then in the morning around ten you go to the mosque. At the mosque everybody prays collectively, and then afterwards from there each family goes around says to one another. Also when you are a kid you get money from your aunts and uncles. People generally have a nice meal with the family for dinner, but the rest of the day you just go around and say hi to friends and family. That is about it.

K: Is that the day that you make a sacrifice?

B: No that is not the day, that is another one.

K: Ok, do you have any daily rituals in regards to your religious beliefs?

B: Yeah, we pray five times a day. Most of the neighborhoods back home have mosques, and so when it is time to pray there be a big call for pray from the mosque and so people usually go get together and pray collectively if they can. If you can’t you would just stay home and pray the five times a day. When it is fasting time everybody will fast from sun up to sun down. When the sun goes down is when you can eat and drink.

K: What is the reason for fasting?

B: The reason for fasting is to remind yourself that you don’t need things. We make those sacrifices. Like we do need food and to drink, but that is just a month when you sacrifice everything like even listen to music just for God.

K: Ok, what are the famous sports in your country?

B: Soccer is the most by far. Ah well no, wrestling is the most famous sport.

K: Like what kind of wresting, UFC wresting or sport wrestling?

B: Traditional wrestling like they do at state, but they do it outside on the sand.

K: Do they have professional leagues?

B: No I wouldn’t say that. They have professional wrestlers that organize matches between themselves. Like once a year the big guys get together and have a big competition of fights. That would be like the biggest competition of the year. And those guys also come over here to train, practice, and work out.

K: So you are saying it is almost like more of a recreational sport?

B: Yeah, for sure. The biggest professional sport would be soccer.

K: What countries food do you like most, and that can be any country that you have visited.

B: Oh, Senegal’s.

K: Do you see a lot of differences between food there and food here?

B: Definitely, I think the food is much more tasty back home. We eat a lot of rice, and the food is more spicy back home than here. I feel like back home we use a lot more spices when we cook anything, and the food here lacks that. When I came here I kind of realized that people don’t spend a lot of time using spices, or trying to season their food. So food back home is definitely tastier than it is here; even pizza.

K: Do you feel that people put more time and effort into making meals back home?

B: Exactly

K: I know here I don’t think it is uncommon for people to go to a restaurant or get fast food at least once a week. Is that something that people do often in Senegal?

B: Yeah, but you would only do that if you absolutely don’t have the time to cook. However, when you are home, homemade food is the most common.

K: I just have a couple more questions for you then.

B: Ok

K: Can you tell me a secret about yourself that very few people here know, and that shows us well the type of person you are and what you stand for?

B: Um, well I am very close to my mom. That is something that people don’t usually know. However, back home relationships with your parents are really something that counts a lot. When you have great bonds with both you mom and your dad it means that you were a blessed kid. So I would say I listen to my mom and what she has to say a lot.

K: Just out of curiosity, since you are talking about really close relationships with your parents. I know that studies have been done about sleeping relationships between families. In some Indian cultures families are sleep together, and that has shown to keep them closer. Do children sleep with their parents, or have their own rooms?

B: No children back home have their own rooms, we form close relationships by talking with our parents and trusting them.

K: Very interesting! Then finally, what could SCSU do to make your stay on campus better?

B: Just do a better job promoting diversity, and recognizing our presence on campus. They have been accommodating campus for our religious beliefs so I feel like they have been pretty good recognizing international students with the programs and groups they’ve set up for us. Just maybe work on making that better.

K: Would you have any tips on how to do that?

B: No I don’t think so, they have been doing pretty good.

K: Ok, well then that is all I have for you. Thank you again so much for you time!

B: Absolutely, no problem. Thank you for taking an interest!

Kelsey Reinke

Wednesday, April 18, 2012

Meaning of Ramadan: To the Islamic Faith

Tuesday, April 17, 2012

Peer Outlines

Monday, April 16, 2012

Bibliography

Final Paper Outline

Tuesday, April 10, 2012

Final Paper

Monday, April 9, 2012

Interview 3 Rankings

Using Quotes Correctly

Friday, April 6, 2012

Interview Comparisons

Monday, April 2, 2012

Interview with Bucca