Senegalese
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Situated in the westernmost front in the mainland of Eurafrasia, Senegal is a country in West Africa. It takes it name from the Senegal River that borders the country in the east and north. Though the country maintains quite a low-profile as compared to the developed and developing countries of the world, it nevertheless has a large bunch of nationals who have constantly, through their works and achievements, strived to make a name for Senegal on the world map. Interestingly, both men and women have collaboratively contributed to bring fame and glory to Senegal.
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1
Patrick Vieira
(Association football player, Association football manager)
Birthdate: June 23, 1976
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Dakar
Patrick Vieira is a football manager and former footballer. Vieira, who was an important member of the France national team, is currently serving as the manager of Crystal Palace Football Club which competes in the Premier League. Widely regarded as one of the best players of his time, Vieira helped his team win its first FIFA World Cup in 1998.
2
Patrice Evra
(Former French Football Defender)
Birthdate: May 15, 1981
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Dakar, Senegal
3
Sadio Mané(Senegalese Professional Footballer Who Plays as a Forward)
Birthdate: April 10, 1992
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Bambali, Senegal
Sadio Mané is one of the greatest Senegalese football players of all time. He is Senegal's fifth all-time top goal-scorer and was named African Footballer of the Year in 2020. One of Liverpool's key players, Sadio serves as an inspiration to youngsters as he succeeded as a footballer in spite of his father forbidding him from playing as a child.
4
Akon(Solo R&B and Hip-Hop Artist to Hold Both No.1 & No.2 Position at Billboard Hot 100 Simultaneously Twice)
Birthdate: April 16, 1973
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: St. Louis, Missouri, United States
Akon is one of the most successful R&B, hip hop and rap singers in the world. His albums Trouble, Konvicted, Freedom, El Negreeto and Akonda have many chartbusters songs. He has also founded record labels Akonik Label Group, KonLive Distribution and Konvict Mizik. He courted controversy in 2007 for an onstage act involving simulated sex with a 15-year-old girl.
5
Tacko Fall
(Basketball player)
Birthdate: December 10, 1995
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Dakar, Senegal
6
Édouard Mendy
(Footballer goalkeeper)
Birthdate: March 1, 1992
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Montivilliers, France
7
Kalidou Koulibaly
(Footballer Centre-back)
Birthdate: June 20, 1991
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Saint-Dié-des-Vosges, France
Born to Senegalese parents in France, Kalidou Koulibaly initially played for France U20 and then captained the Senegal national team. He took Senegal to the finals of the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations. He has often opened up about racism, especially after once being called a “monkey” by a Florentina fan.
Birthdate: February 6, 1988
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Dakar, Senegal
9
Bacary Sagna
(Football player)
Birthdate: February 14, 1983
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Sens, France
Birthdate: June 3, 1985
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Dakar
11
Youssou N'Dour
(Senegalese Musician and Former Culture Minister Who Pioneered the Mbalax Genre)
Birthdate: October 1, 1959
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Dakar, Senegal
Senegalese singer Youssou N'Dour is known for popularizing the musical genre mbalax. The Grammy Award- and Praemium Imperiale-winning singer has also served as Senegal’s culture and tourism minister. Initially part of the Star Band, he later formed Étoile de Dakar. He has also starred in the British-American movie Amazing Grace.
12
Aliou Cissé
(Senegalese football coach)
Birthdate: March 24, 1976
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Ziguinchor, Senegal
13
Demba Ba
(Association football player)
Birthdate: May 25, 1985
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Sèvres
Demba Ba is a former professional footballer who played as a striker in several teams, including Chelsea, West Ham United, and Newcastle United. He started playing football as a child and made his first-team debut with the team Rouen in 2005. He has been associated with many clubs since turning professional. He has also played for the Senegal national team.
Birthdate: October 9, 1906
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Joal Fadiout, Senegal
Died: December 20, 2001
Léopold Sédar Senghor was a Senegalese cultural theorist, poet, and politician. He was Senegal's first president, a position in which he served from 1960 to 1980. Widely regarded as one of the 20th century's most prominent African intellectuals, Senghor is credited with founding the Senegalese Democratic Bloc party. Senghor received many awards, including the African Studies Association's Lifetime Achievement Award.
15
Mamadou N'Diaye
(Basketball player)
Birthdate: September 14, 1993
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Dakar, Senegal
16
Oumar Niasse
(Senegalese footballer)
Birthdate: April 18, 1990
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Ouakam
17
Henri Camara
(Senegalese footballer)
Birthdate: May 10, 1977
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Dakar
18
Moussa Sow
(Association football player)
Birthdate: January 19, 1986
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Mantes-la-Jolie
19
Henri Saivet
(Footballer midfielder)
Birthdate: October 26, 1990
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Dakar, Senegal
20
Armand Traoré
(Association football player)
Birthdate: October 8, 1989
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Paris
Birthdate: November 12, 1953
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Podor, Senegal
22
Askia Muhammad I
(The Founder of the Askia Dynasty of the Songhai Empire)
Birthdate: 1443 AD
Birthplace: Futa Tooro, Senegal
Died: 1538 AD
Askia Mohammad I, or Askia the Great, established the Askia Dynasty of the Songhai Empire and reigned as its first ruler. Known for his efficient administration, than his fighting prowess, he introduced provinces and provincial governors in his kingdom. He also developed trade with Asia and Europe.
Birthdate: September 7, 1935
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Louga
Abdou Diouf is a Senegalese politician who served as the president of Senegal from 1981 to 2000. Abdou Diouf is renowned for gracefully surrendering power to his successor Abdoulaye Wade, thereby contributing immensely to African peace. Wade went on to say that Diouf deserves a Nobel Peace Prize for exiting without violence.
Birthdate: May 29, 1926
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Kébémer Department
Former Senegalese president Abdoulaye Wade and the current Senegalese Democratic Party secretary-general Abdoulaye Wade had practiced as a lawyer in France for a while after completing his PhD. Following his return to Senegal, he became an academic. His presidency was plagued by charges of corruption and nepotism.
25
Aïssa Maïga
(Senegal-born French Activist, Actress, Producer, Writer, and Director)
Birthdate: May 25, 1975
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Dakar, Senegal
Aïssa Maïga is a Senegal-born French activist, actress, producer, writer, and director. She has worked with top auteurs like Abderrahmane Sissako, Michael Haneke, and Michel Gondry. An advocate for inclusion, Aïssa Maïga has been voicing her opinion on racial discrimination in the industry throughout her career.
26
Alfred Gomis
(Football goalkeeper)
Birthdate: September 5, 1993
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Ziguinchor, Senegal
27
Mamadou Niang
(Football player)
Birthdate: October 13, 1979
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Matam, Senegal
28
Diomansy Kamara
(Association football player)
Birthdate: November 8, 1980
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Paris
29
Ali Dia
(Senegalese footballer)
Birthdate: August 20, 1965
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Dakar, Senegal
Birthdate: January 30, 2001
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Paris, France
31
Ousmane Sembène
(Senegalese film director)
Birthdate: January 1, 1923
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Ziguinchor, Casamance, Senegal
Died: June 9, 2007
Birthdate: December 31, 1996
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Senegal
33
Keita Baldé Diao
(Football Forward, winger)
Birthdate: March 8, 1995
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Arbúcies, Spain
34
DeSagana Diop
(Basketball player)
Birthdate: January 30, 1982
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Dakar, Senegal
35
Frank Vandenbroucke
(Belgian Road Racing Cyclist)
Birthdate: November 6, 1974
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Mouscron, Belgium
Died: October 12, 2009
Frank Vandenbroucke was a Belgian road racing cyclist. Despite his troubles with drug addiction, Vandenbroucke was seen as a bright prospect and a great hope for Belgian cycling. However, his addiction ultimately led to his estrangement from the world of cycling. Frank Vandenbroucke died at the age of 34 due to a pulmonary embolism.
36
El Hadji Diouf
(Footballer)
Birthdate: January 15, 1981
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Dakar
37
Cheikhou Kouyaté
(Senegalese Football Central Midfielder or Centre-Back)
Birthdate: December 21, 1989
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Dakar
Senegalese footballer Cheikhou Kouyaté who has played as both a midfielder and a defender is now associated with the club Nottingham Forest. Starting his senior career with the Belgian team RWDM Brussels, he later won 4 Belgian Pro Leagues with Anderlecht. He was also part of the 2021 African Cup of Nations-winning Senegalese team.
38
Mame Biram Diouf
(Senegalese footballer)
Birthdate: December 16, 1987
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Dakar
Birthdate: January 16, 1942
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Moulins, France
40
Maurice Ndour
(Basketball player)
Birthdate: June 18, 1992
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Thiès, Senegal
41
Khalifa Diop
(Basketball player)
Birthdate: January 15, 2002
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Senegal
42
Diafra Sakho
(Senegalese footballer)
Birthdate: December 24, 1989
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Guédiawaye
43
Youssoupha Fall
(Basketball player)
Birthdate: January 12, 1995
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Dakar, Senegal
44
Macky Sall
(The 4th President of Senegal)
Birthdate: December 11, 1961
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Fatick
The 4th president of Senegal, Macky Sall has previously also been Senegal’s prime minister and the President of the National Assembly. Initially part of the Senegalese Democratic Party, he later joined the Alliance for the Republic. He has also been Senegal’s minister of mines, energy, and water, and the mayor of Fatick.
45
Karim Mané
(Basketball player)
Birthdate: May 16, 2000
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Dakar, Senegal
46
Dame N'Doye
(Football player)
Birthdate: February 21, 1985
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Thiès, Senegal
Birthdate: April 17, 1929
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Dakar, Senegal
Died: August 17, 1981
Birthdate: August 30, 1956
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Dogondoutchi, Niger
49
Famara Diédhiou
(Senegalese footballer)
Birthdate: December 15, 1992
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Saint-Louis, Senegal
50
Mamadou N'Diaye
(Basketball player)
Birthdate: June 16, 1975
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Dakar, Senegal
Remember the famous poet Phillis Wheatley and her works, ‘On Imagination’ and ‘Atheism’. Do you know that she was a Senegalese? Wheatley was the first African American woman to become a published writer. From being a slave to a renowned poet, Wheatley travelled a long way. Do you find it hard to wrap up your list of world-famous rap artists without the mention of Akon? Do you know that he is a Senegalese too? A child prodigy, Akon’s single ‘Lonely’ was featured in top five list on Billboard Hot 100 charts. Patrick Vieira, French midfielder, has captained Arsenal in several FA Cup tournaments. A Senegalese, he was also the part of the French world cup victory team of 1998. Know more about famous Senegalese, their life and works with this write-up.