Mapenda et le Takander Group – Loubess

Senegalese cinema genius Ousmane Sembene made a film toward the end of his career called Faat Kine (2000). It’s about a successful single mother who owns a gas station in Dakar, portrayed as this sort of challenge to male-dominated Senegal. Her son Djip is a hip and savvy young smart-ass who refuses to call his father (who had earlier abandoned the family) “father.” In my imagination Djip and his homies cruise around Dakar on Sundays visiting friends, listening to mbalax tapes like this.

Speaking of Sembene, if there’s one Senegalese film not to miss it’s Black Girl (La Noire De…) (1966). Brutal, beautiful and haunting.

Face A
Lila War
Mbeugël
Boul ma Dieuye

Face B
Djiguéne
Am-am
Mame Ruba