GUIDE OF SÉDHIOU - Cesie

on their forehead and you’re supposed to do the same,
because that shows respect for each other. There are some
men for example who are not allowed to shake women’s
hands. Instead they will just clasp their hands together and
nod vehemently. This also happens when people are in the
middle of praying and they want you to know that they are
greeting you but they are not supposed to talk or be touched
during prayer. Some will shake your hand and then touch their
heart. If you are passing by a large group and you do not have
time to greet everyone you can get away with just clasping
your hands together and holding them up in the air to them
about chest high and then touching your heart. This is actually
a very respectful way of greeting and it makes you stand out
from just a “toubab” that waves at people. Young women will
often do a small knee bend when they greet older men. And
sometimes a hand is taken for greeting to give a kiss on the
hand, that’s more often done by children than adults.
Something else that is a normality here, is that men of all ages
hold hands here and not just when they’re greeting. Good
friends will walk hand in hand or with their arms around each
other’s waists or shoulders and holding hands at the same
time. Groups of them will do this altogether. It’s sweet and
the novelty still has not worn off because men in the states
just aren’t that touchy with each other. The downside is that
women don’t hold hands nearly as much. They can, but they
tend not to.
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