Senegal, like many other nations, is not immune to the tentacular influence of globalization and the rise of ostentatious consumerism. In this context, the symbols of social success become markers of status, particularly among elites. This phenomenon, often criticized for its impact on social and ethical values, sheds light on a society in which integrity takes precedence over appearance, and in which the frantic pursuit of wealth sometimes transcends the principles of justice and equity. As Mimi Touré has pointed out, these “external signs of wealth” are omnipresent and find their apotheosis in a disconcerting social idolatry. The marabouts dressed in rich Bazin, surrounded by disciples who venerate them, are emblematic figures of this dynamic. They embody a model where faith is mixed with the fascination for material wealth. On the political level, the situation is not very different. Political leaders, standing on luxurious 4x4s or bunkered Hummers, attract militants fascinated by their way of life, more than by their program or their honesty.
Senegal: The illusion of ostentatious wealth and the challenge of values
