Baïla Explained

Baïla
Settlement Type:Village
Pushpin Map:Senegal
Subdivision Type:Country
Subdivision Name:Senegal
Subdivision Type1:Region
Subdivision Name1:Ziguinchor
Subdivision Type2:Department
Subdivision Name2:Bignona
Population Total:1287
Coordinates:12.8942°N -16.3522°W

Baïla is a village in the rural community of Suelle, Sindian, Bignona, Ziguinchor, Casamance, Senegal.

History

Boukout, a Jola rite of passage, took place in Baïla for the first time in 1971, but it was 36 years before it was held there again. On August 4, 2007, thousands of people gathered for the occasion. In 2002, the French commune of Houdan committed to providing Baïla with humanitarian aid, both economically and culturally.

Administration

Baïla is one of 16 villages in Suelle.

Geography

The village is located approximately from Ziguinchor and from Bignona on the N5 road that leads to Banjul, The Gambia. The nearest towns are Tilaye, Belaye, Diakoye, Diatang, Kaparan, and Diegoun.

Population

According to PEPAM (Water and Sanitation Program for the Millennium), there are 1287 people and 179 households in Baïla. Most of the population is Jola, specifically Jola Fogny, a subgroup within the ethnicity. Pierre Goudiaby Atepa, an architect, was born in Baïla.

Flora

In Baïla, there is a kapok tree—a common name for fibre-producing trees of the Malvaceae family—considered sacred by the population, which is 14 centuries old.

See also

Bibliography

External links