The Village That Never Stops Praying

This sculpture tells the story of migration, loss, hope, and the invisible bond between a community and those who leave. The overturned boat represents the dangerous journeys many young people undertake across the sea in search of a better future. The praying figure symbolizes the spirit of the village, the ancestors, and the collective prayers of families who remain behind, waiting and hoping. Inspired by Senegalese traditions of community solidarity, remembrance, and spiritual connection, the artwork shows that even when people leave, they remain forever part of the community that raised them.

STORIES FROM ITALY

6/24/20261 min read

When I was given the clay and asked to create something that represented my cultural heritage, I did not make a musical instrument or a traditional object.

Instead, I made a piece of the sea.

A bright blue sea.

On top of it, I placed an overturned boat and small human figures struggling in the water. Beside them, I shaped a larger figure with her hands raised in prayer.

Some people might wonder why I chose this scene when I was asked to speak about my culture.

But for me, this is also my culture.

This is my story.

This is the story of many villages in Senegal.

I come from a place where people grow up hearing two sounds that never leave them: the sound of the ocean and the voices of those dreaming of a different future.

In the evenings, when families gather under the shade of the baobab tree, stories are shared. Some stories are about ancestors, harvests, weddings, and celebrations. Others are about sons, brothers, cousins, and friends who left.

Some reached Europe.

Some never arrived.

The sea remembers them all.

HERS

Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.

Contact

hers@odyssea.com