even though they themselves were not fasting. Unlike other Muslims, the Baye Fall for the most part neither pray nor fast, despite the two practices falling under the five pillars of Islam. Distinguished by their striking appearance, members of the religious group wear dreadlocks, multi-coloured patchwork outfits and numerous accessories believed to have mystical powers. In Senegal, which is about 95 percent Muslim, most followers of Islam belong to one of four Sufi brotherhoods: the Mouride, Tidiane, Layene or Khadre, all of which play a major role in society. Every Ramadan the Baye Fall, who are Mourides, organise festivities in Touba, a city in central Senegal that is their capital, distributing iftar meals with thousands flocking from across the country to participate. A vast courtyard and surrounding area teemed with people and motion on a March morning, despite stifling dust and heat. Organised into groups and adorned in their emblematic attire, the Baye Fall worked with devotion, as firewood smoke and the aroma of food drifted. Men and women, old and young helped with slaughtering livestock, preparing food, chopping firewood, collecting garbage and washing dishes. Bayefallism came about more than a century ago and is based on the practices and life of Mame Cheikh Ibrahima Fall (1855-1930), known as "Lamp Fall" ("Light Fall" in English), who was one of the first disciples of the founder of Mouridism, Cheikh Ahmadou Bamba. Hard work, selflessness and repeatedly invoking God's name, as well as serving iftar meals to the faithful, are the foundations of the faith, Abo Fall, one of Lamp Fall's descendants, told AFP. Baye Fall literally means "disciple of Fall". (Bssnews)