Grand Magal of Touba

September 2021

The Grand Magal (Celebration) of Touba is one of the most famous pilgrimages in the world and the most prominent Muslim gathering in West Africa. Magal Touba falls on the 18th day of Safar, the second month of the Islamic Calendar. Millions of people visit the holy city of Touba, Senegal, yearly to commemorate the Mouride brotherhood founder Sheikh Aamadu Bàmba Mbàkke, 1895, exiled to Gabon by the French colonial government. Sheikh Aamadu Bàmba Mbàkke founded the Great Mosque of Touba, which serves as the Magal Touba pilgrimage site.

Magal Touba can be celebrated by: 

  • Reading the Quran and writings of Sheikh Aamadu Bàmba Mbàkke;

  • Calling the name of Allah and prophet Sheikh Aamadu Bàmba Mbàkke;

  • Share food, drink, money, and knowledge, and provide shelter to people in need;

  • Visit the burial site of Sheikh Aamadu Bàmba Mbàkke at the Great Mosque or other religious sites in Touba.

Documented scenes were primarily captured in Touba and Mbacké from September 23rd - 27th, 2021, and reflect elements of a typical Magal Touba pilgrimage.

Two heavily loaded vehicles with luggage and motorbikes on a highway, with people standing on the backs of the vans on their way to Grand Magal of Touba.
Group of senegalese boys sitting on a small cart pulled by a donkey on a dirt road during Grand Magal of Touba.
A group of people walking in a marketplace, with a woman holding a child, wearing traditional clothing to celebrate Grand Magal of Touba.
Senegalese boy wearing a face shield standing behind a decorative metal gate during Grand Magal of Touba.
A crowd of people in colorful clothing ascending the steps of the Great Mosque of Touba to pray during Grand Magal of Touba.
Senegalese men praying inside the Great Mosque of Touba during Grand Magal of Touba.
Three people in a tiled room, one with an outstretched arm, another wearing a gold and blue ornate garment, third person holding an object by a door during Grand Magal of Touba.
Senegalese boys looking through a doorway at vintage black-and-white framed photograph of Amadou Bamba and artwork stacked on the floor in a dimly lit room during Grand Magal of Touba.
Senegalese men in colorful clothing line up in front of the Great Mosque of Touba during Grand Magal of Touba.
Senegalese men in colorful clothing, some sitting and some standing, under a large umbrella. Some are wearing face masks during Grand Magal of Touba.
Senegalese girl wearing a purple dress, standing against a textured white wall during Grand Magal of Touba.
Senegalese woman in a traditional red and floral dress sitting indoors, holding a baby wearing a blue outfit during Grand Magal of Touba.
Senegalese man holding a child in a room with two wall paintings during Grand Magal of Touba.
A group of three Senegalese people posed against a wall, with one man in the center wearing a blue tunic and pants, and two women wearing matching red dresses with blue headwraps on either side of him during Grand Magal of Touba.
Two Senegalese men working on butchering meat with a bovine skull in the background, inside a room with painted walls depicting sea waves during Grand Magal of Touba.
People standing on dirt near a cow lying on the ground, with litter scattered around during Grand Magal of Touba.
Senegalese baye fall men standing in line, many barefoot, with shoes scattered on the ground. They are praying outdoors under a tent in a sandy area during Grand Magal of Touba.
Group of baye fall men with vibrant clothing, one man covering his ears, others in the background during Grand Magal of Touba.
Senegalese baye fall men covering their ears and wearing patterned clothing in various styles during Grand Magal of Touba.
A group of Senegalese people gathered under a blue tarp, some smiling and others in various expressions, wearing colorful clothing during Grand Magal of Touba.
Senegalese baye fall men passionately singing into a microphone during a lively outdoor during Grand Magal of Touba.
Group of Senegalese people energetically dancing in colorful traditional attire indoors Grand Magal of Touba.
Senegalese baye fall women carrying metal basins on their heads during a street procession with colorful clothing and head wraps, in an urban setting with signs and vendors in the background during Grand Magal of Touba.
Senegalese woman cooking in an outdoor kitchen, stirring a large pot of yellow rice, wearing a black and white patterned outfit during Grand Magal of Touba.