Ploughing, Sowing and Harvesting

Group ploughing in southern Senegal, Casamance. Working together, singing together, preparing the land for the new rainy season. A powerful image of Jola tradition, community and connection with nature.

Saikou says:

“Eat what you grow, grow what you eat.”

At this moment, the rainy season has started in southern Senegal. Sunny moments are alternated with enormous rain showers. They say: “Big rain is coming.” And yes, the first big rains of the rainy season have arrived.

The rain is what makes southern Senegal, Casamance, so incredibly green. During this season, nature drinks in all that water, only to show her green abundance later. Everything comes back to life. Everything receives nourishment. Everything prepares itself for growth.

Last week was also the starting point for Saikou to plough the land of his beautiful jungle.

As a Jola, farming was something he grew up with. He ploughs the land in two days, completely on his own. Where we use machines, his physical body becomes the plough. His strength, his hands, his feet, his breath, his rhythm.

A beautiful example of real work.

After ploughing, he will sow okra this year. Last year he planted more, but unfortunately nature had other ideas. The monkeys and the bugs enjoyed a lovely daily meal. Especially the monkeys really destroy everything! So this year he consciously chooses okra.

Okra from Saikou’s garden in southern Senegal. A small but powerful example of living with nature: sowing, taking care and eventually harvesting.

The fact that they take so much from nature there is almost impossible for us to imagine. Mangoes, papayas, oranges, okra and so much more. What an abundance it is to live so close to nature. To literally pick the fruits of life.

And while I watch these images, I think:

Isn’t this exactly how it works in our own lives too?

Because when we look at our lives, have you already ploughed your own “land” — your mind, your inner world, your beliefs?

Because sometimes that is absolutely necessary before you can start sowing again.

What about your old beliefs?
Your assumptions?
The thoughts you have been carrying with you for years?
The stories you believe to be true, but that may simply have become old?

Are you willing to turn them over?
To make space for new ideas?
New wishes?
New possibilities?

What are you focusing on?
What do you want to grow?
What do you give water to every day?

Saikou ploughs his land in southern Senegal by hand. A beautiful image of preparation, perseverance and making new ground ready to sow again.

Because in our lives too, not everything grows by itself. What you give attention to receives nourishment. What you keep repeating becomes stronger. What you dare to loosen can change.

Maybe it is time to prepare your new land, just like Saikou does.

Not with a machine.
Not in a hurry.
But with attention.
With honesty.
With the willingness to begin again.

New things. Things that give you joy right now. Things that awaken life in you again.

Because isn’t that what life is meant for?

When you do what brings you joy, beautiful things often begin to grow. Not always in the way you expected. Sometimes differently. Sometimes more slowly. Sometimes more surprisingly. But movement begins. Space opens. Growth becomes possible.

What you give attention to, grows. In Saikou’s garden, you can see how close life can be to nature: sowing, taking care and eventually picking the fruits of what you have allowed to grow.

And eventually, there will also be a moment to harvest.

Maybe not immediately.
But when you keep taking care of what you have sown.

During our journeys and retreats in southern Senegal, we take you into exactly these kinds of moments. Not only to see the land, but also to feel yourself again. Nature, the people, the culture, the silence, the encounters and the simplicity help you to look again.

At yourself.
At your life.
At what you want to let go of.
And at what you want to grow again.

Do you have wishes, ideas or questions about travelling to southern Senegal? Would you like to feel whether a 7- or 10-day journey or retreat is right for you? Or would you simply like to talk with us about the possibilities?

Feel free to send us a message.

We are happy to think along with you.
About your journey.
Your wishes.
Your moment.

During our journeys and retreats in southern Senegal, we take you to places where nature, peace and encounters come together. Maybe this is your moment to make space for something new.

Sunrise Senegal
7- and 10-day journeys, group trips and retreats in southern Senegal.
Bookings for autumn 2026 are open.

Maybe this is your moment to prepare your land for something new.