The population is mainly composed of Fulani Hal Pulaar people and some Wolof people (mostly traders), who come mostly from the religious city of Touba.
In Sufism, this symbolic tree represents an aspiration for spiritual perfection and closeness to God.
On Touba: "And to the orthodox fundamentalist it's utter heresy. Bringing bin Laden here would be like taking Ian Paisley to the Mexican Day of the Dead."