Diourbel: Hotels for cultural trips
Accommodation in Diourbel
Diourbel can be viewed culturally on two levels: through the historic sites of the Department of Diourbel, and through the religious places and traditions of the wider Diourbel destination.
Burial mounds and historic sites
Les tumulus de Cekeen includes the approximately 12-metre-high Tumulus Wago Fal and a group of 56 burial mounds. The burial mounds at Cekeen are made of sand. Alongside the single mound, which is approximately 12 metres high, there is also a larger group of burial mounds. Another historic site in the department is Mbanaar de Ndayane. It includes a Serer tumulus as well as remains, adding a differently named tumulus to the picture of the archaeological heritage.
Buildings in Diourbel are also part of the department’s historic heritage: the post office buildings and the Gare ferroviaire de Diourbel are among its historic sites and monuments. The Grande mosquée de Kér gu Mag is also one of the historic sites of the Department of Diourbel. Together, these places represent different aspects of the local cultural heritage—from burial mounds and remains to mosque and railway station buildings.
Religious places in the wider Diourbel destination
Aïnou Rahmati is located in Touba. This well is often called the “Well of Mercy” and is listed in Senegal’s national inventory of sites and monuments. As a landmark, it lies behind the house of Serigne Saliou Mbacké in the northern part of Touba. The Great Mosque of Touba has five tall minarets: one main minaret, two on the west side and two on the east side. The description thus distinguishes one main minaret from the four others, which are divided in pairs between the two sides.
Daaray Kamil houses a library dedicated to the Holy Book of Islam, as well as the mausoleum of Serigne Abdou Lahat Mbacké. In the Kër Gu Mag area, Baytûl Kitab, also known as “La Chambre du Savoir,” preserves personal belongings of Cheikh Ahmadou Bamba. These include Quran manuscripts and Khasā’id. The library, mausoleum and preserved objects illustrate different religious and cultural connections within the wider Diourbel destination.
Magal traditions and places of remembrance
The Magal de Touba is held every year in the holy city of Touba in the Diourbel region. It welcomes millions of faithful and supporters of the Mouride brotherhood and commemorates the departure of Cheikh Ahmadou Bamba into exile. The Magal was added to Senegal’s national list of intangible cultural heritage and assigned to the Diourbel region. If this event is important to your travel plans, check the event dates in advance.
Darou Salam is also located in the Diourbel region. The town is considered the first city founded by Cheikh Ahmadou Bamba in the 1880s. It is home to the mausoleum of Mame Cheikh Anta Mbacké (1865–1941), also known as “Borom Gawane” and a loyal companion of the founder of Mouridism. The Magal of Darou Salam commemorates the meeting between Cheikh Anta Mbacké and his brother Cheikh Ahmadou Bamba Mbacké (1853–1927) upon his return from exile in Gabon.
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Go to the main travel overview: Diourbel.
