Tivaouane or Tivawan ( wo, Tiwaawan; french: Tivaouane) is a city located in the Thiès Region of

Senegal Senegal,; Wolof: ''Senegaal''; Pulaar: 𞤅𞤫𞤲𞤫𞤺𞤢𞥄𞤤𞤭 (Senegaali); Arabic: السنغال ''As-Sinighal'') officially the Republic of Senegal,; Wolof: ''Réewum Senegaal''; Pulaar : 𞤈𞤫𞤲𞤣𞤢𞥄𞤲𞤣� ...

History

Tivaouane was part of the Wolof kingdom of Cayor, and was at one time its capital. It was first described to Europeans in the 15th century by

Venetian Venetian often means from or related to: * Venice, a city in Italy * Veneto, a region of Italy * Republic of Venice (697–1797), a historical nation in that area Venetian and the like may also refer to: * Venetian language, a Romance language s ...

explorer Luigi Cada-Mosto. In 1904, it was the fifth largest city in Sénégal after Saint-Louis, Dakar,

Rufisque Rufisque ( ar, روفيسك; Wolof: Tëngeéj) is a city in the Dakar region of western Senegal, at the base of the Cap-Vert Peninsula. It has a population of 179,797 (2002 census). In the past it was an important port city in its own right, but ...

and Gorée. It is also one of the sacred places of the Tijaniyya

Sufi Sufism ( ar, ''aṣ-ṣūfiyya''), also known as Tasawwuf ( ''at-taṣawwuf''), is a mystic body of religious practice, found mainly within Sunni Islam but also within Shia Islam, which is characterized by a focus on Islamic spirituality, ...

brotherhood. Each week, followers come to visit the tombs of religious leaders, especially that of El-Hadji Malick Sy. Visitors flock each year to celebrate the birth of the prophet Muhammad in a festival called the Maouloud (or ''Gamou'', in Wolof, a word borrowed from one of the Serer religious festivals). The influence of the

Muslim brotherhoods of Senegal This is a list of Sufi orders (Tariqas) in Senegal (and also the Gambia). They are active Muslim organizations that can also be found in many other parts of Africa and the Islamic world. Their members are mainly Wolofs, Fulas and Tocouleurs. Li ...

helps to explain the dramatic demographic growth of the city, which had a population of less than 7900 in 1960. Mosquée Serigne Babacar Sy 2

In 2003, the mosque and zawia (Muslim school) of El-Hadji Malick Sy, the mosque of and the railway station were added to the list of Senegalese historic monuments. In 2022, the recently inaugurated Hospital in Tivaouane caught fire due to a short circuit. The neonatal department burned down to the ground, with 11 newborn babies dead.

Administration

Tivaouane is the capital of the Tivaouane Department in the région de Thiès.

Geography

Tivaouane is a regional transport hub, where the ''route nationale n° 2'' connecting

Dakar Dakar ( ; ; wo, Ndakaaru) (from daqaar ''tamarind''), is the capital and largest city of Senegal. The city of Dakar proper has a population of 1,030,594, whereas the population of the Dakar metropolitan area is estimated at 3.94 million in ...

and Saint-Louis passes near Thiès. The nearest small towns are Yendam, Keur Massamba Daguene, Selko, Ndiagane, Keur Assane, et Sintiou Pir.

Population

Between the censuses of 1988 and 2002, Tivaouane grew from 27,117 to 38,213 inhabitants. In 2007, according to official estimates, the population has grown to 39,766, which makes it the 15th largest city in Senegal. Wolofs are the largest ethnic group in the area.

Economy

Tivaouane is in an agricultural region, at the heart of the ''bassin arachidier'' of Arachide oil (Peanut oil) production. Catering to religious gatherings and celebrations also plays a great role in the economy.

Notes

External links

Maps, weather and airports for Tivaouane

Site du CEM Ababacar Sy
(Collège d'enseignement moyen de Tivaouane) {{Authority control Populated places in Thiès Region Communes of Senegal