Passing through central Senegal, we spent the night in a small village called Samecouta-Peul. While many Fulani in Senegal have transitioned to a more modern lifestyle, those known as the Toucouleur tend to live more traditionally, a sedentary version of the herders in Mali, Burkina, Benin, etc. (Wikipedia: Toucouleur People) This Toucouleur village was home to one large extended family. Though we were only there for a brief stay, we took the opportunity to capture the unique aesthetic of the Toucouleur:

As the name “Toucouleur” implies, they are known for their bright colors and unique fashion.

In some regions gold teeth indicate that someone has travelled to Mecca, but amongst the Toucouleur they are purely a fashion statement.

The Toucouleur are especially well-known for their gold earrings, which are sewn in with the help of a friend.

We were lucky to stumble into another wedding ceremony. Here, the bride-to-be shows the same anxiety we’ve observed at the marriage in Djibo, Burkina Faso

Across West Africa, the Fulani display an endless variety of fashion creativity.

A griot plays the same five-stringed guitar as Dinde Sare, the famous Malian griot.

In Samecouta-Peul, they keep several hundred cattle tied up just outside the village.

Missed the focus on this one, but their eyes are captivating.

Jug-wealthy.

Why have you been crying, little man?