The Grand Magal of Touba is the great annual pilgrimage of the Mouride brotherhood in Senegal. It commemorates the departure into exile of its founder, Cheikh Ahmadou Bamba, and draws a huge crowd to the holy city of Touba every year. It takes place on the 18th of the month of Safar: in 2026, that was Sunday, August 2, and in 2027 it should fall around July 22 or 23.
Origins and meaning of the Grand Magal of Touba
Cheikh Ahmadou Bamba, born in Mbacké in 1853, founded Mouridism, one of the great Sufi brotherhoods of Senegal. His followers also call him Serigne Touba. In 1895, the colonial authorities arrested him and exiled him to Gabon, where he stayed for seven years, according to the website Au Sénégal.
The Magal is a day of thanksgiving. The Cheikh himself asked his disciples to thank God for having supported him during his exile. At first, everyone could celebrate wherever they were. It was under the second caliph, Serigne Fallou Mbacké, that the faithful began converging on Touba.
Today, the Magal is presided over by the general caliph of the Mourides, Serigne Mountakha Mbacké.
What you see during the Magal
Pilgrims arrive in Touba from the start of the month of Safar, and the city fills up in the days before the 18th. According to an account published by AllAfrica in 2024, the day is spent on:
- visits (ziarra) to the mausoleums of the caliphs and religious guides buried in Touba;
- Quran recitations and the singing of xassaïdes, the poems of Cheikh Ahmadou Bamba;
- talks on his teaching;
- meals offered to visitors, a form of hospitality called “berndé.” Families and dahiras, the associations of worshippers, slaughter sheep, cattle and camels to feed everyone.
The Great Mosque of Touba is the center of fervor. It is also where the crowd is densest.
Watch out
On August 2, 2026, the national fire brigade reported a very large crowd at the Great Mosque and a risk of stampede, and asked people to keep a close eye on children under five. It also counted 21 deaths on the roads during the Magal.
Magal dates
The Magal follows the Muslim calendar, which moves back about eleven days each year. The exact date depends on the sighting of the moon by Senegal's national lunar crescent commission (Conacoc).
| Year | 18 Safar | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Friday, August 23 | past |
| 2026 | Sunday, August 2 | past |
| 2027 | around July 22 or 23 | estimate, may vary by a day |
The official 2027 date will be known when the crescent of the month of Safar appears, about two and a half weeks before. Follow the Senegalese press, such as Le Soleil, which reports it.
Attending
The Magal is not a show but a pilgrimage. Every visitor must respect the rules of the holy city.
The rules of Touba. In 2014, the general caliph restated what is banned in the city: alcohol, tobacco, drugs, gambling, music and tom-toms, political gatherings. Short, see-through or tight clothing is forbidden. These rules apply all year round, and even more so during the Magal.
Our advice
Wear loose clothing that covers you, with shoulders and legs hidden. Women should bring a headscarf. Take off your shoes to enter places of prayer and always ask before taking photos.
Entry requirements. Depending on your nationality, you may or may not need a visa: check your case on our Senegal entry requirements page. French passport holders do not need one for a stay of less than three months in Senegal.
Getting there. The roads to Touba are jammed in the days before and after. In 2026, the fire brigade recorded several hundred road accidents over the period. Leave early, never drive at night, and choose a careful driver.
Accommodation. Finding a place to stay in Touba during the Magal has to be arranged very early. Without a contact there, it is better to come with a guide or a Mouride friend.
Season. The Magal now falls in the middle of the rainy season, from July to October. Storms can flood the roads.
Also check your own government's travel advice. For the rest of your trip, see our Senegal guide and the other festivals in Senegal.
Frequently asked questions
How many pilgrims come to the Magal?
Every year, the Senegalese press speaks of millions of worshippers from across the country and the diaspora. These are estimates, but the crowd is huge in any case.
Can you smoke or drink alcohol in Touba?
No. Alcohol and tobacco are banned throughout the holy city, all year round.
Why does the date change every year?
The Magal follows the Muslim lunar calendar, which is about eleven days shorter than the Gregorian calendar. So it moves back by that much each year.
