Ceddo

film by Sembène

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June 24, 2026

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Ceddo is a 1977 film by Senegalese director Ousmane Sembène. The film, which means "Outsiders" in English, is set in 17th-century Senegal and depicts the clash between traditional African beliefs and the rise of Islam. It was filmed in the Wolof language, reflecting Sembène's commitment to making cinema accessible to a wider African audience.12

Sembène, a renowned writer and filmmaker, is known for his historical and political themes, often exploring colonialism and social issues in his work. Ceddo is considered an ambitious and panoramic account of African religions and societal dynamics during that era. The film faced a ban in its native Senegal.12

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Ousmane Sembène
His masterpiece, Ceddo (1977; “Outsiders”), an ambitious, panoramic account of aspects of African religions, was also in Wolof and was banned in his native Senegal. Camp de Thiaroye (1987; “The Camp at Thiaroye”) depicts an event in 1944 in which French troops slaughtered a camp of rebellious…
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His masterpiece, Ceddo (1977; “Outsiders”), an ambitious, panoramic account of aspects of African religions, was also in Wolof and was banned in his native Senegal. Camp de Thiaroye (1987; “The Camp at Thiaroye”) depicts an event in 1944 in which French troops slaughtered a camp of rebellious…
Read More