Fatick (; ; ) is a town and urban commune in Senegal, located between M'bour and Kaolack and inhabited by the Serer people. Its 2023 population was at 39,361.
It is the capital of the Fatick Region and the Fatick Department.
Toponymy.
Its name (Fatick), including its region and department take their names from one of the Serer maternal clans ("Fatik")—which derives from the Serer term "Fati Ubadik" ("we have more to go"). The name is also spelled "Patik" following its pronunciation which is the same as the Fatik matriclan. The 15th century King of Sine Wasilla Faye named it after his father's matriclan. His father was a member of the Patik matriclan.
History.
The city has several ancient sites classified as historical monuments and added to the World heritage list. There is also the site of "Mind Ngo Mindiss", located in the Sine River, where libations and offerings are made, the site of Ndiobaye, where traditional ceremonies takes place, and Ndeb Jab, which houses a sacred tree at Ndiaye-Ndiaye. These sites are sacred places in Serer religion. The "Xooy ceremony" (or "Khoy"), performed by the Serer high priests and priestesses (the Saltigues), takes place at Fatick once a year.
Geography.
Fatick is located "in the savanna belt of the West African Sahel, a sandy arid region south of the Sahara desert." The nearest towns are Nerane, Pourham, Mbirk Pourham and Tok. Dakar, the capital of Senegal, is located 155 km away.
Climate.
Under Köppen-Geiger climate classification system, it has a hot semi-arid climate (BSh).
Population.
In the censuses of 1988 and 2002, the estimate population figures were 18,416 and 23,149 respectively. In 2007, according to official estimates, the population was 24,855.
Economy.
Since the peanut trade is losing momentum, salt marshes are the main local resource.
References.
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