Sassy Sisters From Senegal

THE Senegalese community in Lagos celebrated the country’s 50 years of independence from France on April 4, 2010. The occasion which drew representatives from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) was held at the Lagos Office of the Senegalese Embassy. Two sisters, Satou Cisse N’Diaye and Miriam N’Diaye stood out among the quite beautiful and elegant Senegalese women. They wore mini length gowns made with green java print that was the official cloth of the occasion. In dizzying black high heel shoes, they moved around making sure that everything was alright with the guests.

Miss Satou Cisse N’Diaye and Miss Miriam N’Diaye are the daughters of Mr. Ouma N’Diaye who is the chairman of the Senegalese community in Lagos. The calm and mature manner they went about their duties was impressive.

Satou is 20 years old and a 200 level student of Forestry and Wildlife at the University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, while Miriam, although is licensed by NCAA to work as a hostess, is awaiting employment by an airline while also awaiting a university admission.

They said that they took on the responsibility because their mother was at work. But more than doing their mother’s work, they feel a big sense of patriotism to serve Senegal in their own way.

It was observed that even among Senegalese, they spoke English and were therefore reminded that growing up in Nigeria, were more of Nigerians. “That does not mean that we cannot be patriots of Senegal. It is our country. We go there on holidays and we know our extended families. I do not think that we are missing out because we are very much in touch with our culture, ” Satou said.

Although they were born in Cote d’Ivoire, they came to Nigeria as pre-school children when their father, an expatriate worker with Sosaplast, was transferred to Nigeria and they started school here.

Their fond memories of Senegal are the beaches. “Generally, Senegal is a lovely country, with a good tourist attraction. It is a simple country. People have free movement. They are not scared of anything because there is security of life and property, ” Satou said.

In terms of opportunity to become rich however, the N’diaye sisters give Nigeria a higher mark than Senegal. “Money wise, Nigeria is better.”

What do they know about the independence that they celebrated? “It is the same history as Nigerians asking to rule themselves and demanding that they are no longer told by the colonial master how to rule their countries. Senegal fought for self-rule from the French government. That is all about it, ” Satou said.

The sisters were asked about dating also. For example, the Nigerian male is known to be quite adventurous and not a few have confessed to preferring to woo the hands of women from the West Coast than seeking to marry Nigerian women.

“Are you dating then?”, they were asked.

“Sure,” was Satou’s answer.

“So you have boyfriends?”

“If I tell you no, would you believe us?, she responded.

All over the world, it is believed that the French are good lovers. Would it be correct to assume that our Francophone brothers should play the same love better?

“That is not true. Anyway, we understand the Nigerian system better.”

Reminded of a Beninoise who once declared that when it came time to tying the knots, she was heading in no other direction, but Republique Du Benin, Togo or Cote d’Ivoire because the Nigerian man would likely beat his wife or marry another wife, Satou said: “It is a matter of choice. We prefer Nigerians. I have seen both sides – Nigerian as well as Senegalese. Perhaps I am not used to the Senegalese way.”

Why do they think the Nigerian could be better? “I grew up here and I am used to them. I like the way they think, and I think that I can cope if I marry a Nigerian. I do not think that I can cope with Senegalese men.”

With their simple but tastefully sewn dresses, the sisters’ fashion sense was obvious. Broad belts cinching tiny waste lines. “Personally, I mix Senegalese, Nigerian and Ivoirien styles together.” And walking around for hours on those fearfully and sinfully high heels, she said was normal. “It is what is in vogue,” Satou says, admitting that swaying about on them is not that easy.

To an untrained eye, the sisters may appear to have put on eye shadow only in the form of facial make-up, but a trained make-up artist would spot the effort and care put in to create a natural look. “Some people like make-up and some do not. My mother, for one, does not wear make-up.”

Their mother is Mrs. Marie-Laure N’Diaye, a qualified nurse but who works as a cashier with Premier Lottery.

They do not see themselves as any different from Nigerian girls. “The only difference may be that we speak French and English. Also, maybe in the food that we eat. But we love Nigerian foods and eat them most times.”

Both countries’ cuisine differ a lot, they say. For example, the Senegalese major dish is the cheap gel, a rice meal prepared with legumes or vegetables like carrots, cassava, cabbage, aubegine and fish. “It is like what amala is to the average Yoruba person or eba to the Ibo. It is a very lovely meal.”

They cannot speak Wollof, the language of their parents. Of the likelihood that they discriminate against the Nigerian woman, “That is not true,” they said. How do they feel living among Nigerians? ” I do not really like their lifestyle. I would say that some are quite timid. Many of them are not really civilised. The money is there quite all right but I think that some of them are very noisy. And they are proud. Not all of them though. The educated ones who have travelled outside the country or grown up abroad are civilised, ” Satou said.

Regarding friends, Satou revealed: “I have friends, but none I would say is very close. I do not have friends in Senegal because I go there only for holidays. I relate only to family members.”

Commenting on their youthful father, Monsieur Oumar, Satou said: “He is very, very jealous. He does not like us to do what we would like to do.”

The girls think that their father’s over-protection of them stands between them and their talents. They want to be models, singers and dancers, although Satou prefers to be a professional dancer. She however wants to do a master’s degree in International Relations. “I want to be a diplomat.”

Their mother too is tough, the girls chorus. But she is softening up as they grow older. Of Mrs. Marie Laure N’diaye, they said, “She is this very strict type.”

Satou likes everything about herself. “I am special,” she said, noting that the only regret she has is not having money yet.

Miriam thinks that her eyes and her legs are the best parts of her body. And she loves them. But she wants to change her fiery temper. “I get angry easily. I want to smile more.”

What do they think of Senegalese women? Satou said, “They have poise and are elegant.” She thinks that they dress well because of the association with France.

Miriam on the hand sees Senegalese women as rude and aggressive. “They are too proud of themselves.”

The sisters fought as children, but have since become allies. Verbal arguments have replaced fisticuffs, they say. But two of them agree on the importance of having money. “As ladies, we always need something to buy.”

Satou attended Premier Secondary School Lagos, while Miriam left PMP Comprehensive School in 2007. She then trained as an air hostess with IRS Airlines.

“When I chose to go for the training, my dad objected strongly. But he is happy about it now that NCAA has given me the licence to work. Initially, it was a struggle, but I made him to understand that it was what I wanted to do,” she said.