We asked some students enrolled in Sabar: The Music and Dance of Senegal for their take on the course.

Carina Montrond-Silveira, ’16, Cape Verde
Criminal Justice major
Q: Why did you sign up for the course?
A: I love to dance but I also wanted to take a black history course and learn more about Senegal from an academic perspective.

Q: What was the best part of the course?
A: It’s such a unique class. And it’s awesome to see how dancing brings everyone together. It makes them interact more and is better than just sitting in class!

Kent Fisher, ’14, Dorchester, MA
History major
Q: Why did you sign up for the course?
A: I was actually persuaded by Professor Bellinger to take this course. He handed me a flyer about it. I had also heard from other students that it was fun, so I gave it a shot.

Q: What was the best part of the course?
A: As a history major, I’m interested in the cultural aspects of it. But it really helped me understand the reason why people in Senegal take this way of life so seriously.

Daba Thiare, ’14, Senegal
International Relations major
Q: Why did you sign up for the course?
A: I come from Senegal and I’ve been here for two years—I miss my home. It was a good chance for me to study something I’m familiar with.

Q: What was the best part of the course?
A: Everything! I learned many things about my home country that I did not know before. It also feels good to express myself through dance. 

Robert Bellinger is an associate professor and director of the Black Studies program in the History Department at Suffolk. He directs the Gëwél Tradition Project in Dakar, Senegal, and maintains a blog on the traditions of Senegal and West Africa.

Contact Professor Bellinger for more information on the course, his research, or the Black Studies program at Suffolk.