SHOTLIST DAKAR, SENEGAL (AUGUST 5, 2025) (ANADOLU – ACCESS ALL) 1. VARIOUS DRONE SHOTS OF SCULPTOR SHAPING HORSE IN SAND ON BEACH, SURROUNDED BY ONLOOKERS 2. VARIOUS OF ANIMAL SAND SCULPTURES CREATED ON BEACH BY AMATEUR ARTIST OMAR MBAW 3. VARIOUS OF PEOPLE ON BEACH LOOKING AT MBAW’S SAND SCULPTURE 4. ARTIST OMAR MBAW SPEAKING TO CAMERA 5. DRONE SHOT OF SCULPTOR SHAPING HORSE IN SAND ON BEACH, SURROUNDED BY ONLOOKERS 6. SENEGALESE AMATEUR ARTIST OMAR MBAW SPEAKING SCRIPT DAKAR, SENEGAL - AUGUST 5: DAKAR, Senegal — On his only day off each week, 27-year-old amateur artist Omar Mbaw transforms the beaches of Dakar into open-air galleries, crafting intricate sand sculptures that stop passersby in their tracks. Since 2019, Mbaw has shaped dozens of detailed sculptures — from whales and crocodiles to birds and mythical creatures — using nothing but sand, his hands, and a few simple tools. He often works under the blazing sun, with temperatures reaching 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit), spending three to four hours on each piece. Mbaw said he creates his sculptures not for financial gain, but because he finds fulfillment in the public’s appreciation. Mbaw works six days a week as a tailor and devotes his Sundays to sculpting. With no formal training, he said sand art remains unfamiliar to many in Senegal. He said his art often surprises viewers, as sand sculpting is still rare in Senegal. Although self-taught, Mbaw said he’s eager to grow with the help of professional guidance and to present his work on a national and international stage. According to UNESCO, creative and cultural industries contribute about 1.5% to Africa’s GDP and employ more than 5 million people across the continent. In Senegal, roughly 260,000 people work in the crafts sector, mostly in traditional fields such as woodcarving, ceramics, batik, and metalwork, according to the National Artisans Agency (ANA). More than 80% of those workers operate within the informal economy. Experts say investing in the creative sector can help boost employment and preserve cultural heritage across the region.