Visible Roots, Vol 4 ISD World Culture Celebrations

INTERNATIONAL

APRIL 2024

SCHOOL OF DAKAR

VOL 4

Visible Roots LEARNING ABOUT OUR CULTURE, TOGETHER

ISD World Culture Celebrations UNIFIED IN DIVERSITY

ISD is one of the most diverse international schools in the world

Editor’s Note Welcome to the 4th volume of Visible Roots, where we will travel virtually around the rich cultures that make up our beautiful community at the International School of Dakar. As we celebrate the World Culture Celebrations for 2024, our magazine is here to showcase the diversity of our school, each nation represented in this volume in alphabetical order using their local name.

Within these pages, you will find glimpses into the pride of each country. From cultural traditions to breathtaking landscapes, from historical landmarks to culinary delights, our magazine aims to capture the beauty of every corner of the globe.

Remember, Visible Roots is more than just a collection of images and facts! With each turn of the page, we invite you to learn more about our amazing world with stunning 4k music videos and full-length documentaries.

Just click on each photograph, and a link will send you to an immersive experience that brings each nation to life in vivid detail. With over 60 hours of videos, you are sure to learn or see something new!

As you go through these pages, I encourage you to think about what you love about this world and the connections that bind us together at ISD. Do any nations share surprising similarities in their customs or landscapes? How many of these places have you visited before? How many of these insights are entirely new to you, sparking a newfound curiosity for the world around you?

Perhaps most importantly, which aspects of your own nation do you wish had been showcased in this volume?

What do you wish people knew about your nation or your culture? Find the time to let people know this week!

Join the conversation by sharing your thoughts, reflections, and inquiries at ceceo@faculty.isd.sn. Your feedback is invaluable as we continue to use Visible Roots as a tool to deepen our understanding of our shared global community.

Together, let's celebrate the beauty and diversity of our world, one page at a time. And, don’t forget to join us in person this Friday, April 12th for Parade of Nations and Saturday April 13th for our Country Booths and Activities!

Standing in Unity, CECÊ OVELAR HEAD OF EQUITY AND INCLUSION AT ISD

‫الجزائر‬ )Al-Jazā'ir( Algeria 5 ancient fortified villages in the M’zab Valley preserve a unique culture lasting over 1000 years.

‫المغرب‬ )Al-Maghrib( Morocco The ancient city of Fes has one of the oldest universities in the world, the University of Al Quaraouiyine.

‫األردن‬ )Al-Urdun( Jordan Petra, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is an ancient city carved into rose-red cliffs.

Aotearoa New Zealand The Maori culture, with its traditional haka dance, is an integral part of New Zealand's identity.

Argentina Argentina is famous for its beef and barbecue, known as "asado," is a popular culinary tradition.

Australia Australia is home to unique wildlife, including kangaroos, koalas, and the Tasmanian devil.

Ayiti Haiti Haiti was the first independent nation in Latin America and the Caribbean, and built the Citadelle Laferrière to protect its sovreignty.

বাংলাদেশ Bangladesh The Sundarbans, the largest mangrove forest in the world, is home to the Bengal tiger.

België/Belgique Belgium The Atomium in Brussels, originally constructed for the 1958 World Expo, is an iconic building.

Bénin Benin Ganvie, known as the Venice of Africa, is a massive floating lake village with over 45,000 residents.

भारत (Bhārat) India India is the birthplace of major religions, including Hinduism, Buddhism, Sikhism, and Jainism.

Bolivia The Uyuni Salt Flat is the largest salt flat in the world and creates a stunning mirror effect during the rainy season.

Brasil Brazil Brazil is home to the world’s largest rainforest, the Amazon, where açaí berries are grown.

Burkina Faso

Burkina Faso translates to the "Land of the Upright People" and was given its name by the famous African revolutionary leader Thomas Sankara.

Cameroun Cameroon Cameroon is often referred to as "Africa in Miniature" due to its diverse geography and cultural heritage.

Canada The national sport of Canada is ice hockey and is often played on frozen lakes and ponds in the winter.

Cabo Verde Cape Verde

The country has a rich musical tradition, including the genre of music called "morna."

Česko Czechia The Charles Bridge in Prague is a famous historical bridge that crosses the Vltava River.

Chile

Chile is home to the Atacama Desert, one of the driest places on Earth.

Côte D'Ivoire Ivory Coast Abidjan, the economic capital of Ivory Coast, is one of the most vibrant and modern cities in West Africa

Crna Gora Montenegro The country has a diverse cultural heritage influenced by Slavic, Venetian, and Ottoman traditions.

Colombia The traditional national sport is called Tejo, a game that involves launching objects at small targets filled with gunpowder.

대한민국

(Daehan Minguk) South Korea K-pop, Korean pop music, is one of the most popular musical genres worldwide.

Danmark Denmark The Danish concept of "hygge" emphasizes coziness, comfort, and a sense of well-being.

Deutschland Germany

Berlin, the capital, has more museums than rainy days in a year.

Ecuador The Galápagos Islands, part of Ecuador, played a crucial role in Charles Darwin's theory of evolution.

Éire Ireland The harp is the official emblem of Ireland and is featured on coins and official documents.

Ελλάδα (Elláda) Greece Greek mythology, with gods like Zeus and heroes like Hercules, has had a profound impact on Western literature and culture.

El Salvador

The country has a rich archaeological history, with sites like Joya de Cerén, a preserved ancient village.

España Spain Flamenco, a passionate and expressive dance form, originates from the Andalusian region of Spain.

ኤርትራ (Ertra) Eritrea The Dahlak Archipelago in the Red Sea is known for its coral reefs and marine biodiversity.

eSwatini Hlane Royal National Park is known for its diverse wildlife, including white rhinos.

France The Louvre in Paris is the world's largest art museum and a historic monument.

Gabon The Gambia Banjul, the capital, is one of the few capital cities in the world on an island.

Gabon is an important ecological nation and carbon sink with rainforests covering 85% its land.

Ghana The country is known for its traditional Kente cloth, a brightly colored woven fabric with intricate patterns.

Grenada The underwater sculpture park in Grenada is a unique attraction for divers and snorkelers.

Guatemala Guatemala is home to Tikal, one of the largest and most important Mayan archaeological sites.

Guinée Guinea The Niger River, one of Africa's major rivers, has its source in the Fouta Djallon highlands in Guinea.

Guiné-Bissau Guinea-Bissau

The Bijagós Archipelago, off the coast, is a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve known for its biodiversity.

Guyana The Kaieteur Falls in Guyana is one of the tallest single-drop waterfalls in the world.

Hrvatska Croatia Plitvice Lakes National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its interconnected lakes and waterfalls.

Indonesia

Indonesia has the largest number of active volcanoes in the world.

Italia Italy Italy is home to the Colosseum, an ancient amphitheater that could hold up to 80,000 spectators.

ኢትዮጵያ (Ityop'iya) Ethiopia Ethiopia is one of the oldest nations in the world, and the rock-hewn churches of Lalibela, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, are carved out of solid rock.

Jamaica

Jamaica is the birthplace of reggae music, with legendary artists like Bob Marley and the Wailers.

Jamhuri ya Kidemokrasia ya Kongo Democratic Republic of the Congo

The DRC has one of the most important musical cultures in Africa with styles like Rumba, Soukous, and Ndombolo, led by modern artists like Fally Ipupa.

Kenya Kenya is famous for its wildlife, and the Maasai Mara National Reserve hosts the Great Migration of wildebeest and zebras.

Kosova Kosovo

The medieval Serbian Orthodox monastery Visoki Dečani, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is located in Kosovo.

Кыргызстан (Kyrgyzstan) Kyrgyzstan

Lake Issyk-Kul is one of the largest alpine lakes in the world.

ລາວ (Lao) Laos Luang Prabang, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is known for its well-preserved architecture and Buddhist temples.

Liberia Sapo National Park is one of the largest protected areas of rainforest in West Africa and is the home of the pangolin, the world’s only mammal with scales.

‫لبنان‬ )Lubnān( Lebanon Lebanon is home to the ancient city of Byblos, continuously inhabited for over 7,000 years.

Madagasikara Madagascar

The Avenue of the Baobabs is a famous natural landmark in Madagascar.

Magyarország Hungary Goulash, a hearty stew, is a traditional Hungarian dish with a long history.

Malaysia

Malaysia is known for its diverse cuisine, influenced by Malay, Chinese, Indian, and indigenous cultures.

Malawi Gule Wamkulu, or "The Great Dance," are UNESCOrecognized traditional masked dances performed by the Chewa people of central Malawi.

Mali Timbuktu, an ancient city in Mali, was a major center of learning and trade in the Mali Empire.

México Mexico Mexico introduced chocolate, chilies, and corn to the world.

‫مصر‬ )Mişr( Egypt The Valley of the Kings in Luxor is known for its tombs of pharaohs and nobles from the New Kingdom period.

Монгол Улс (Mongol Uls) Mongolia

Mongolia has a strong tradition of throat singing, known as "khöömei."

Moris Mauritius

Mauritius is known for its beauty which includes the Seven Colored Earths in Chamarel.

‫موريتانيا‬ )Mūrītānyā( Mauritania The country is home to the Richat Structure, a natural geological formation often referred to as the "Eye of Africa."

မြန်မာ (Myanma) Myanmar Myanmar is home to the Inle Lake, known for its floating gardens and traditional fishermen.

Namibia Namibia has a significant population of free-roaming desert-adapted elephants.

नेपाल (Nepāl) Nepal Nepal is home to eight of the world's 14 highest peaks, including Sagarmatha (Mt Everest).

Nederland Netherlands The tulip, a symbol of the Netherlands, was originally imported from the Ottoman Empire.

Niger

The Grand Mosque of Niamey is one of the largest mosques in West Africa.

Nigeria

Nigeria is the most populous country in Africa and has a diverse range of ethnic groups and languages including the Hausa, Yoruba, and Igbo.

日本

(Nippon) Japan

Japan is known for its cherry blossoms, and the tradition of "hanami" involves appreciating cherry blossoms in spring.

Norge Norway Norway is known for its stunning fjords, including the iconic Geirangerfjord.

Österreich Austria Vienna, the capital, is known as the "City of Music" and was home to famous composers like Mozart and Beethoven.

Oʻzbekiston Uzbekistan

Samarkand, Bukhara, and Khiva are ancient Silk Road cities with stunning Islamic architecture.

‫پاکستان‬ )Pākistān( Pakistan Pakistan has a diverse cultural heritage with influences from various civilizations, including the Indus Valley Civilization.

Paraguay

Paraguay is known for its unique language, Guarani, and its artisanal fabric called ñandutí.

Perú Peru Machu Picchu, an ancient Incan city, is one of the New Seven Wonders of the World and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Pilipinas Philippines The Banaue Rice Terraces are often called the "Eighth Wonder of the World."

Polska Poland The Wieliczka Salt Mine near Kraków has underground chambers and sculptures made entirely of salt.

Portugal

Lisbon, the capital, is one of the oldest cities in Western Europe.

ประเทศไทย (Prathet Thai) Thailand Thailand is known for its ornate temples, including Wat Pho and Wat Arun in Bangkok.

República Dominicana Dominican Republic

The country is known for its beautiful beaches, particularly in Punta Cana.

România Romania

The Carpathian Mountains run through Romania, providing picturesque landscapes.

Россия (Rossiya) Russia

The Kremlin in Moscow is a historic fortress complex and the official residence of the President of Russia.

Rwanda Rwanda is the first country in the world to ban plastic bags, contributing to environmental sustainability.

საქართველო (Sakartvelo) Georgia

The Chronicle of Georgia is a massive historical monument located near the Tbilisi sea.

Schweiz/Suisse Switzerland

The country is known for its stunning Alpine landscapes and ski resorts.

Северна Македонија (Severna Makedonija) North Macedonia

North Macedonia is home to Lake Ohrid, one of the oldest and deepest lakes in Europe.

Sénégal Senegal Senegal is renowned for its rich musical heritage, with styles such as mbalax, sabar drumming, griot traditional music and African hip hop.

Republíki ya Kongó Republic of the Congo

Both the Congo and the DRC are known for its fashion and cultural movement known as La Sape – the Society of Ambiance Makers and Elegant People.

Jamhuri ya Uganda Uganda

The Grey Crowned Crane is the national bird of Uganda and is highly revered and cherished as a symbol of pride and identity.

Shqipëria Albania The Accursed Mountains, or Albanian Alps are characterized by dramatic peaks, deep valleys, and pristine wilderness.

Sierra Leone

Sierra Leone is known for its pristine beaches including the River Number 2 beach.

Soomaaliya Somalia

Mogadishu is one of the fasted growing cities in the world.

‫جمهورية صوماليالند‬ Jamhuuriyadda Soomaaliland Republic of Somaliland

Somaliland is home to the prehistoric cave paintings of Laas Geel, estimated to be over 5,000 years old.

South Africa

Table Mountain in Cape Town is one of the New Seven Wonders of Nature.

Србија (Srbija) Serbia Tara National Park is the most beautiful areas in the Balkans and in Serbia.

ශ්‍රී ලංකාව (Śrī Laṃkāva) Sri Lanka

Sigiriya, an ancient rock fortress, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Suomi Finland Finland has a tradition of saunas, with approximately two million saunas for a population of 5.5 million.

Sverige Sweden The concept of "fika," taking a coffee break with pastries, is an important cultural tradition in Sweden.

Tanzania Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest peak in Africa, is located in Tanzania.

‫تشاد‬ )Tchad( Chad The Ennedi Plateau in Chad is known for its stunning rock formations and prehistoric rock art.

Togo Koutammakou is cultural landscape in the Kara region of Togo. The name of the Batammariba Tribe who lives there means “those who are the real architects of earth.”

Trinidad & Tobago Trinidad is the birthplace of the steelpan, a musical instrument made from oil drums.

‫تونس‬ )Tūnis( Tunisia The Medina of Tunis, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a well-preserved medieval city.

Türkiye Turkiye

Istanbul, straddling Europe and Asia, has historic landmarks like the Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque.

Uburundi Burundi The country has a rich tradition of drumming, and the Royal Drummers of Burundi are famous worldwide.

Україна (Ukrayina) Ukraine

Ukraine is home to the world's deepest metro station, the Arsenalna station in Kyiv.

‫ُع مان‬ )Umān‘( Oman Jebel Shams is the highest peak in the Hajar Mountains and offers breathtaking views.

United Kingdom UK Scotland is famous for its nature and scenic views with 91% of the population living on less than 3% of the land.

Uruguay The country has a strong tradition of yerba mate consumption, similar to Argentina, Paraguay and Brazil.

United States USA

The United States has the world's first national park, Yellowstone National Park, established in 1872.

Việt Nam Vietnam Ha Long Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is known for its emerald waters and limestone karst formations.

‫فلسطين‬ Filasṭīne Palestine

‫ישראל‬ )Yisrael( Israel

The Dead Sea is the lowest point on Earth, and its high salt concentration allows people to float effortlessly.

Zambia The country is named after the Zambezi River, and on its border with Zimbabwe lies the world’s greatest waterfall, Mosi-oa-Tunya.

中国

(Zhōngguó) China Green, black, oolong, white, and pu'er tea are deeply ingrained in Chinese culture, with ceremonies symbolizing hospitality and social connection.

Zimbabwe

Great Zimbabwe, an ancient stone city built without mortar, was the capital of the Kingdom of Zimbabwe.

See you all at ISD this week!

Friday, 12th: Parade of Nations Saturday, 13th: Cultural Booths and Activities