<p>This thesis investigates the preconditions for a new type of migration among the highly skilled between Senegal and the EU, namely <em>circular migration</em>. The three most prominent actors in the shaping of the future migration pattern –the EU (administration), the Senegalese government and the future highly skilled migrants i.e. Senegalese university students –are studied by a combination of <em>social constructivism</em> and <em>critical discourse analysis</em>. The discourses are derived from official EU and Senegalese documents and from a survey as well as from semi-structured interviews with students at the two largest universities in Senegal. The analysis of the discourses shows three factors that point towards a change of the migration practice in favour of circular migration: first, an <em>interdiscursivity</em> between the migration, development and economic growth discourses; second, a <em>resemblance</em> between the three actors discourses on migration; and third, a <em>willingness</em> among all three actors to act for a mobility of knowledge and experience. Consequently, there are preconditions for circular migration between Senegal and the EU.</p>

xiv, 246 p. : ill. A print copy of this thesis is available through the UO Libraries. Search the library catalog for the location and call number. / This project is a critical and comparative investigation of Western and non-Western practices of body modification. Situated in the realm of feminist political theory, the project engages the literature and debates concerning embodiment, or the symbolic and concrete meanings of women's bodies. I specifically explore two examples of the physical construction of women's bodies: breast implantation in the United States and female genital cutting (FGC) in Senegal. I demonstrate that each of the practices molds bodies into preexisting naturalized forms. For this project, I conducted eighty in-depth, open-ended, and semi-structured interviews with women and men in twelve different locations in Senegal. Then, I carried out sixty-five in-depth, open-ended, and semi-structured interviews with American men and women from twenty-one different cities. I argue that the information that emerges from looking at body normalization comparatively allows me to make two important claims. The first is that the material that originates from interviews in this comparative study disrupts existing hegemonic discourse on sex-based body modifications. In particular, the comparative findings challenge the viewpoint that espouses a "Western women are free, African women are oppressed" binary. Second, examining FGC in Senegal alongside breast implantation in the US can uncover normalization that is invisible within social fields, or in the lives of women and men. Normalization is hard to see when in it, but easier to see if an individual steps outside of herself, her context, and her patriarchy. Thus, though many women do not recognize the normalizing structures within their own lives, they often are able to see these hegemonic structures in the lives of others. Women stepping outside of their own contexts can provide fresh, critical eyes that recognize embedded normalizations and oppression in other contexts. Further, this realization also can push them to return that critical gaze onto their own environment, which is the beginning of locating mechanisms of control within their own field. The construction of sex and the imprinting of gender norms upon bodies are manifestations of regulation and normalization that occur within socio-cultural contexts, and which individuals can potentially locate through a comparative conversation of this type. / Committee in charge: Dennis Galvan, Chairperson, Political Science; Julie Novkov, Member, Political Science; Leonard Feldman, Member, Political Science; Stephen Wooten, Outside Member, Anthropology

A União Econômica e Monetária do Oeste Africano (UEMOA) é uma organização de integração regional constituída por oito países da África Ocidental: Benim, Burkina Faso, Costa do Marfim, Guiné Bissau, Mali, Níger, Senegal e Togo. O presente trabalho tem por objetivos realizar: (a) a classificação climática segundo Köppen (1900) e Thornthwaite (1948), e (b) o zoneamento agrícola das culturas de milho e soja na região da UEMOA com base nos valores de (i) produtividade potencial (dióxido de carbono, temperatura, radiação fotossinteticamente ativa, fotoperíodo e genótipo), (ii) produtividade atingível, com elevado uso de insumos e tecnologia e (iii) produtividade real. A classificação climática de acordo com ambos os autores caracterizou a maior parte do território formado pela UEMOA como árido e em relação ao zoneamento agrícola, tem-se que a região da UEMOA é altamente indicada para o cultivo de milho e de soja, contudo, os valores médios de produtividade real referentes a esses cultivos são inferiores aos valores da produtividade atingível, indicando que o principal problema na região é o baixo nível de adoção tecnológica. / The West African Economic and Monetary Union (also known as UEMOA from its name in french: Union Économique et Monétaire Ouest-Africaine) is an organization of eight West African countries: Benin, Burkina Faso, Ivory Coast, Guinea-Bissau, Mali, Niger, Senegal and Togo. The following study has as main objectives: (a) climate classification by Köppen e Thornthwaite; and (b) agricultural zoning for maize and soybean in the UEMOA region based on (i) potencial yield (carbon dioxide, temperature, photosyntheticaly active radiation, photoperiod and genotype), (ii) attainable yield, under high inputs and technological adoption and (iii) actual yield. Climate classification according to both authors characterized most of the territory formed by UEMOA as arid and regarding to agricultural zoning, UEMOA region is highly suitable for growing maize and soybeans, however, average values of actual yield in relation to these crops are lower than those of attainable yield, indicating that the main problem in this region is the low level of technological adoption.

No description available.

The gum arabic belt in Sudan plays a significant role in environmental, social and economical aspects. The belt has suffered from deforestation and degradation due to natural hazards and human activities. This research was conducted in North Kordofan State, which is affected by modifications in conditions and composition of vegetation cover trends in the gum arabic belt as in the rest of the Sahelian Sudan zone. The application of remote sensing, geographical information system and satellites imageries with multi-temporal and spatial analysis of land use land cover provides the land managers with current and improved data for the purposes of effective management of natural resources in the gum arabic belt. This research investigated the possibility of identification, monitoring and mapping of the land use land cover changes and dynamics in the gum arabic belt during the last 35 years. Also a newly approach of object-based classification was applied for image classification. Additionally, the study elaborated the integration of conventional forest inventory with satellite imagery for Acacia senegal stands. The study used imageries from different satellites (Landsat and ASTER) and multi-temporal dates (MSS 1972, TM 1985, ETM+ 1999 and ASTER 2007) acquired in dry season (November). The imageries were geo-referenced and radiometrically corrected by using ENVI-FLAASH software. Image classification (pixel-based and object-based), post-classification change detection, 2x2 and 3x3 pixel windows and accuracy assessment were applied. A total of 47 field samples were inventoried for Acacia senegal tree’s variables in Elhemmaria forest. Three areas were selected and distributed along the gum arabic belt. Regression method analysis was applied to study the relationship between forest attributes and the ASTER imagery. Application of multi-temporal remote sensing data in gum arabic belt demonstrated successfully the identification and mapping of land use land cover into five main classes. Also NDVI categorisation provided a consistent method for land use land cover stratification and mapping. Forest dominated by Acacia senegal class was separated covering an area of 21% and 24% in the year 2007 for areas A and B, respectively. The land use land cover structure in the gum arabic belt has obvious changes and reciprocal conversions between the classes indicating the trends and conditions caused by the human interventions as well as ecological impacts on Acacia senegal trees. The study revealed a drastic loss of Acacia senegal cover by 25% during the period of 1972 to 2007.The results of the study revealed to a significant correlation (p ≤ 0.05) between the ASTER bands (VNIR) and vegetation indices (NDVI, SAVI, RVI) with stand density, volume, crown area and basal area of Acacia senegal trees. The derived 2x2 and 3x3 pixel windows methods successfully extracted the spectral reflectance of Acacia senegal trees from ASTER imagery. Four equations were developed and could be widely used and applied for monitoring the stand density, volume, basal area and crown area of Acacia senegal trees in the gum arabic belt considering the similarity between the selected areas. The pixel-based approach performed slightly better than the object-based approach in land use land cover classification in the gum arabic belt. The study come out with some valuable recommendations and comments which could contribute positively in using remotely sensed imagery and GIS techniques to explore management tools of Acacia senegal stands in order to maintain the tree component in the farming and the land use systems in the gum arabic belt.

E Nord-Cameroun comme toutes les zones arides et semi-arides de l’Afrique subsaharienne est confronté à la désertification qui est causée par les aléas climatiques et la surexploitation des ressources naturelles. L’une des conséquences est la baisse des rendements des cultures due à la dégradation des sols cultivables. Dans cette situation, l’une des voies pour améliorer le niveau de vie paysan est de développer la plantation des ligneux à usages multiples. L’introduction de l’A. senegal dans les années 90 dans les exploitations agricoles avait l’optique de restaurer la fertilité des sols et de diversifier les sources de revenus des agriculteurs par la production de gomme arabique. Malgré la multifonctionnalité de cet arbre et les efforts des projets pour sa vulgarisation, les résultats et les réactions des populations pour sa plantation restent peu concluants et sélectifs. La thèse identifie et analyse les facteurs socio-économiques et leurs effets sur la décision paysanne à planter A. senegal. La méthode est basée sur les enquêtes et entretiens semi-directs. Les résultats montrent que la plus grande production en gomme obtenue par une exploitation est de seulement 50 kg/ha/an. Toutefois les recettes des ventes éventuelles des autres produits des plantations complètent celles de la gomme. Les planteurs n’ont pas tous disposé d’information ni de formation suffisantes. Une plate forme de concertation est à mettre en place pour redéfinir les rôles des acteurs de la filière gomme. Pour une gestion durable des plantations d’A. senegal, les projets de développement et les décideurs doivent faire respecter les normes de différentiation des prix de la gomme. / The North Cameroon like all arid and semi-arid zones of African sub-Saharan is facing desertification caused by climatic factors and over exploitation of natural resources.One of the consequences is the decline of crop yields due to degradation of arable land. In this situation, promotion of multipurpose trees plantations can improve the farmers’ livelihood. The introduction of A. senegal in the 90’s in agricultural farms had the aim to restore soil fertility and diversify sources of income for farmers through the production of arabic gum. Despite the multifunction aspect of this tree and the involvement of different development projects for its extension, the results and reactions of local people to its plantation remain inconclusive and selective. The thesis identifies and analyzes the socio-economic factors and their effects on the farmers decision to plant A. senegal. The method is based on surveys and semi-structured interviews. The results show that the best gum yield observed on the exploitation is 50 kg / ha / year. However, the revenue can be increased with the sale of byproducts of A. senegal. Not all farmers are sufficiently informed or trained. A platform for dialogue is to be set in order to redefine the roles of stakeholders in the market chain. For the sustainable management of A. senegal plantations, development projects and policy makers need to meet the standards of gum price differentiation.

Despite the vast solar potential in both Mali and Senegal, the electricity access in both countries remains one of the lowest in the world. The main problem is represented by the disparity between rural and urban settlements. In Senegal, the electricity access for rural areas was lower than 50%, while in Mali was around 35%. Although the grid represents and will still represent the main driver to ensure electricity access, solar off-grid technologies can help reach rural communities living far from the grid. This study used a GIS-based approach to study electricity models for Senegal and Mali. This has been done in order to integrate physical geographical constraints like GHI, slope and grid infrastructure, and socio-demographical constraints like population density, and distance of rural settlements from the grid. The modeling tool OnSSET together with the QGIS mapping tool is used in this thesis.To achieve future electricity targets, the modeling period of this study has been set to 2020-2030. Under this study for both countries, two scenarios have been analyzed. A sensitivity analysis will help to analyze the influence of the demand level and the grid’s generation price on the results of these scenarios. For Mali, an optimistic scenario considering a 100% electrification rate by 2030, with a reliable grid and a low grid electrification price is designed. A second scenario follows an opposite approach where only 70% will have access to electricity, mainly due to an inadequate grid state. For both scenarios, the results show that the population connected to the grid will be between 70% and 60%. The total investment needed to reach universal access in Mali is between $3.7 and $3.2 billion. The highest share of this investment will be dedicated to the implementation and maintenance of the grid, between $2 and $1.6 billion. Stand-Alone and mini-grid PV will contribute to bringing electricity to 10 to 20% of the population. For Senegal, an optimistic scenario considers a really good grid state and a 100% electrification rate. A second pessimistic scenario considers an inadequate state of the grid, with an electricity access level of 90%. The results show that the population connected to the grid will be between 80% and 70%. The investment required to reach universal access by 2030 will be between $2.3 and $1.9 billion. Most of this investment will be dedicated to the maintenance and implementation of the grid. For Senegal stand-alone, PV mini-grids and hydro-mini-grids will bring electricity to between 6 and 10% of the population. / Trots den enorma solpotential som finns i både Mali och Senegal är tillgången till elektricitet i de båda länderna fortfarande en av de lägsta i världen. Det största problemet representeras av skillnaden mellan landsbygd och tätort. I Senegal var eltillgången för landsbygdsområden lägre än 50%, medan den i Mali var omkring 35%. Även om elnätet representerar och fortsatt kommer att representera den främsta drivkraften för att säkerställa tillgång till elektricitet, kan solteknik utanför elnätet bidra till att nå landsbygdssamhällen som är belägna långt från elnätet. Denna studie använde en GIS-baserad metod för att studera elmodeller för Senegal och Mali. Detta har gjorts för att integrera fysiska geografiska begränsningar som GHI (global horisontal solstrålning), lutning och nätinfrastruktur, samt sociodemografiska begränsningar som befolkningstäthet och avståndet mellan bebyggelse på landsbygden från elnätet. Modelleringsverktyget OnSSET tillsammans med kartläggningsverktyget QGIS används i denna avhandling. För att nå framtida elmål har modellperioden för denna studie satts till år 2020-2030. Under denna studieperiod har två scenarier analyserats för båda länderna. En känslighetsanalys kommer att hjälpa till att analysera påverkan av efterfrågenivån och elnätets produktionspris på resultaten av dessa scenarier. För Mali är ett optimistiskt scenario designat, i betraktande av en 100% elektrifieringsgrad till år 2030, med ett tillförlitligt elnät och ett lågt nätelektrifieringspris. I ett andra scenario studeras ett motsatt tillvägagångssätt där endast 70% kommer att ha tillgång till el, främst på grund av ett otillräckligt nättillstånd. För de båda scenarierna visar resultaten att befolkningen som är ansluten till nätet kommer att vara mellan 60% och 70%. Den totala investeringen som krävs för att nå universell tillgång i Mali är mellan 3,2 och 3,7 miljarder dollar. Den största andelen av denna investering kommer att ägnas åt en implementering och ett underhåll av elnätet, vilket är mellan 1,6 och 2 miljarder USD. Fristående elsystem och PV-mininät kommer att bidra till att få el till 10-20% av befolkningen. För Senegal betraktas ett optimistiskt scenario med ett väldigt bra nättillstånd och en 100% elektrifieringsgrad. I ett andra, pessimistiskt scenario, betraktas ett otillräckligt tillstånd av elnätet, med en eltillgångsnivå på 90%. Resultaten visar att befolkningen som är ansluten till elnätet kommer att vara mellan 80% och 70%. Investeringen som krävs för att nå universell tillgång till år 2030 kommer att vara mellan 1,9 och 2,3 miljarder dollar. Det mesta av denna investering kommer att tillägna underhåll och implementering av elnätet. För Senegal kommer fristående elsystem, PV-mininät och hydro-mininät att ge el till mellan 6-10% av befolkningen.

Doctor of Philosophy / Department of Geography / John A. Harrington Jr / The Senegal River valley and delta (SRVD) are affected by long term climate variability. Indicators of these climatic shifts include a rainfall deficit, warmer temperatures, sea level rise, floods, and drought. These shifts have led to environmental degradation, water deficits, and profound effects on human life and activities in the area. Geographic Information Science (GIScience), including satellite-based remote sensing methods offer several advantages over conventional ground-based methods used to map and monitor salt-affected soil (SAS) features. This study was designed to assess the accuracy of information on soil salinization extracted from Landsat satellite imagery. Would available imagery and GIScience data analysis enable an ability to discriminate natural soil salinization from soil sodication and provide an ability to characterize the SAS trend and pattern over 30 years? A set of Landsat MSS (June 1973 and September 1979), Landsat TM (November 1987, April 1994 and November 1999) and ETM+ (May 2001 and March 2003) images have been used to map and monitor salt impacted soil distribution. Supervised classification, unsupervised classification and post-classification change detection methods were used. Supervised classifications of May 2001 and March 2003 images were made in conjunction field data characterizing soil surface chemical characteristics that included exchange sodium percentage (ESP), cation exchange capacity (CEC) and the electrical conductivity (EC). With this supervised information extraction method, the distribution of three different types of SAS (saline, saline-sodic, and sodic) was mapped with an accuracy of 91.07% for 2001 image and 73.21% for 2003 image. Change detection results confirmed a decreasing trend in non-saline and saline soil and an increase in saline-sodic and sodic soil. All seven Landsat images were subjected to the unsupervised classification method which resulted in maps that separate SAS according to their degree of salinity. The spatial distribution of sodic and saline-sodic soils has a strong relationship with the area of irrigated rice crop management. This study documented that human-induced salinization is progressively replacing natural salinization in the SRVD. These pedologic parameters obtained using GIScience remote sensing techniques can be used as a scientific tool for sustainable management and to assist with the implementation of environmental policy.

The use of music in religious traditions is a complicated subject. Some say it doesn’t have any place in religion while others see it as an essential part of their spiritual life. How one defines music, and indeed religion, can differ greatly but both of these have played an enormous role in our world both historically and today. The relationship between these two subjects is the focus of this study. I aim to analyze how music and sound is used within the Mouridiyya, a Sufi order based mainly in Western Africa, as a religious practice and in what way different forms of music is a way for Mourids in Sweden to connect with their native culture and religion in a society that is in many ways very different. The study is based on interviews and field observations and will explore themes like music as transcendence, the contents of the music, attitudes toward “secular” or more popular, contemporary forms of music as well as gender roles and segregation. I have visited one Mourid group in Stockholm and the study will be based entirely on them. To say something more general about Mouridism or Sufism are generalizations I am not prepared to make, but some of the findings do open up for these kinds of discussions and hopefully this will be but one small step into a fairly uncharted academic field of “religious music”.

This thesis explores a network of participants, dance students and teachers, who travel between New York City and Dakar, Senegal, around the practice of West African dance forms. Focusing on the Senegalese dance-rhythms Sabar, I joined this movement and my fieldwork methodology included apprenticeship as a student. I explored different learning environments of Sabar in New York and Dakar: the understandings involved, how this movement is maintained and how it affects dance forms. The methodological move enabled a comparative approach to research questions of learning and performing, local aesthetics and notions of being. This thesis discusses the role of the imagination in mobilizing students and teachers to travel within this network. I explore how participants navigate through the political geography of this movement, sustain the network, and how in turn the cultural flow of Sabar is ‘punctuated’ by socio-economic relationships. Secondly, I explore the understandings involved in each learning context, how these are negotiated and contested on the dance floor and how they relate to broader socio-cultural discourses and relationships that they reinforce or subvert. I argue that while different Sabar settings cannot be understood as ‘bounded’ in as much as people and ideas circulate through them, they are also distinct in that they produce different forms of Sabar. The learning contexts provide the meeting grounds for alternative conceptions of ‘dance’ and pedagogy. I explore how these notions are negotiated in relation to the specific socio-cultural and economic environments in which they are located. Specifically I analyse some common problems New York students face in learning and performing Sabar and explore the reasons behind them: the complex connection between movement and rhythm and the achievement of a specific kinaesthetic in movement. I delineate the relationship between movement and rhythm in Sabar and the importance of the aesthetic of improvisation. I argue that the prevalence of certain paradigms of learning and ‘dance’ over others is related to the specific socio-economic relationships of the participants. Specifically, an over-emphasis on movement distracts from other important aspects in the performance of Sabar and I argue that skills need to be understood as environed processes, malleable and shifting in relation to the broader socio-economic settings that link the participants together.