Grand Magal of Touba

September 2021

Grand Magal of Touba follows pilgrimage and religious life within the Mouride brotherhood in Touba, Senegal, the holy city of Mouridism. It is the most prominent Muslim gathering in West Africa, bringing millions of followers to Touba in observance of Sheikh Amadou Bamba. Made while staying with a family in Touba, the work moves between the city’s public gatherings and the domestic space where the pilgrimage is lived day to day.

The work extends beyond the pilgrimage itself, entering homes and private spaces where belief continues through daily routines and tradition. These moments show faith not only during the Magal, but in the way people live. Together, the photographs present Mouride followers in public ritual and in private space, gathered around Touba and the remembrance of Sheikh Amadou Bamba’s exile.

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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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 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.
Senegalese baye fall men covering their ears and wearing patterned clothing in various styles 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.