Assimilation in 19th century Senegal

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Periodical article

Title:	Assimilation in 19th century Senegal
Author:	Idowu, H. Olu
Year:	1968
Periodical:	Bulletin de l'Institut Fondamental d'Afrique Noire, Série B: Sciences humaines
Volume:	30
Issue:	4
Pages:	1422-1447
Language:	English
Geographic term:	Senegal
Subjects:	colonial policy acculturation
Abstract:	Senegal has been described as the most advanced experiment in assimilation but no satisfactory attempt has so far been made to show exactly to what extent it was assimilated to France. Aim of this article is to shed further light on this problem by reviewing the operation of the policy of assimilation in the colony during the 19th century, After describing the origins and the development of assimilation in Senegal the author indicates its impact in the economic, social and political fields. The conclusion is that present-day Senegal is a product of the 19th century. Assimilation created in Senegal an amalgam of civilisations. The community of Africans, Frenchmen and mulattoes in modern Senegal recalls that of the 19th century. But, as far as the Senegalese themselves are concerned, their attitude towards the French way of life has remained what it was in the past: 'assimiler n'est pas être assimilé'.