[43][45] Dowery among the Wolof people is paid in the form of a brideprice. [7][8] The Wolof belonged to the medieval-era Wolof Empire of the Senegambia region. In the Wolof tribe there is even a time where the elders of the village gather with the bride and give advice and gifts. politics In the Middle Ages, newlyweds were made to undergo a rigorous test: spiced buns were piled between them, and the couple would have to do their best to kiss over the towering stackif they succeeded in locking lips, it was perceived as an omen of good fortune about their marriage. Breaking News: Onitsha Born Dr. Chinelo Dies From Train Attack. The Wolof ethnic group (or Jollof, Jolof as they are sometimes known) in Gambia make up 16% of the population and are the third largest ethnic group. 31). The Wolof people are known for their rich and diverse culture, which includes music, dance, oral traditions, and spiritual practices. When discussing marriage with the bride's parents, the groom is expected to present kola nuts and money. Agreements would then be made on how much further payments (marriage money) needed to be made and when the time for its payment came, other gifts were also given to the brides mother, father and peers. The now-traditional wedding favor of five Jordan almonds symbolizes five wishes for the newlyweds of health, wealth, happiness, fertility, and longevity. The tradition of a wedding cake comes from ancient Rome, where revelers broke a loaf of bread over a bride's head for fertility's sake. Diop, Elhadji. [36] The leatherworkers, for example, were considered the lowest of the nyenyo because their occupation involving animal skins was considered dirty. Although this scenario has slightly changed with time, this practice is still prevalent in rural areas albeit with some minor adjustments. 31). [37], The geer or "freeborn" too had a hierarchical structure. Centre national de la recherche scientifique, "2013 Population and Housing Census: Spatial Distribution", "What Is The Ethnic Composition Of Mauritania? President Muhammadu Buhari . 40. [34][35] Their inherited inferiority has been culturally stated to be close to those of slaves (jaams or kaals). "Dakar-Wolof," for instance, is an urban mixture of Wolof, French, and Arabic. [8][9][10] Contemporary Wolofs are predominantly Sufi Muslims belonging to Mouride and Tijaniyyah Islamic brotherhoods. In Mauritania, about 8% of the population are Wolof. This paper seeks to explore the culture of the Wolof people with emphasis on their marriage traditions. . This practice was founded on the idea that parents were more suited to choose what was best for their children due to the accumulated wisdom and experience (Mbaya 226). He was called Ndyadyane Ndyaye, and his descendants were called Ndiayes or Njie, and these led to ruling families of Wolof, Mali according to this mythical legend. However, in the contemporary times, different parts of the world are littered with different cultural groupings. Publishing. [16], With the Arab conquests of West Africa in last centuries of the 1st millennium CE, one theory states that the Wolof people were forced to move into north and east Senegal where over time villages and towns developed into autonomous states such as Baol, Kayor, Saloum, Dimar, Walo, and Sine the overall ruling state being that of Jolof who came together voluntarily to form the Jolof Empire. They manifest a highly conscious sense of ethnic identity and ethnic pride. Over time, the herb bouquet was gradually replaced by flowers which carry special meanings in differentcultures around the world. [40][41], The Wolof are primarily rural (~75%), living in small villages. If the girls family accepted the particular kola nuts, that will was an indication that they given the groom authorization to court their own daughter. Each womans purse, shoes, and even eye shadow matched her dress. The cultures of the different ethnic groupings have been a subject of research for a long time. Unlike most other languages of Sub-Saharan Africa, Wolof is not a tonal language. This role belongs to a caste and has been hereditary. Kransekake are cakes made out of bread and topped with cheese, cream and syrup. Religious and political functions have been the domain of men, while women typically keep the household, bring water from their sources such as wells or nearby rivers. This favors the idea that such measures provided the best and most stable marriages. Most are located in the West African countries of Senegal and The Gambia. The tradition of a diamond engagement ring was started by Archduke Maximilian of Austria when he proposed to Mary of Burgundy. Ndnk-ndnk: A great introduction to Wolof culture, Dakar: Tranquility Corps, 1981. [14]) The spelling Jolof is also often used, but in particular reference to the Jolof Empire and Jolof Kingdom that existed in central Senegal from the 14th to the 19th centuries. [43][50], Occupation is traditionally based on gender and inherited caste. Traditionally, the grooms family would not allow him to see his bride until the wedding. Thus, marriage soon became necessary as a way to ensure the survival of their offspring. An intriguing aspect of these arrangements was that the intervention of diviners was sought to determine if the marriage was feasible before marriage actually took place (Gamble et al. With these firearms, the intensity and violence of Wolof slave raids (and conflicts with other ethnic groups in general) increased. The Wolof people are the largest ethnic grouping in Senegal (35% of the Senegalese populace) and in Gambia they are about 12% of the Gambian populace. The common marriage age with regard to the Wolof was your early twenties with regard to boys and past due teens for females (Gamble et al. Once it was decided that his character was good, further gifts would be presented to the girls family to seal a covenant that left the young man as the sole suitor. Also known as a bridal registry, it was a way for the couple to choose their fine china and silver for their big day. However, religious practice often contains local elements. Print. PDF file. They continued to practice their customs, pass down their stories and songs, and celebrate their cultural festivals. The [43], Wolof society is patrilineal, and agricultural land is inherited by the landowning caste. If a marriage takes place across this social system without the knowledge of those involved and the truth comes out later, a divorce is inevitable. Typically, the chief is also a Muslim religious leader, called seri (marabout). Linguistic Taboo inside African Marriage Platform: Research from the specific Oromo Laguu. Rice and other grains have long been regarded as signs of prosperity and fertility. Its final demise at the hands of French colonial forces in the 1870s1890s also marks the beginning of the formation of Senegal as a unified state. It is widely believed that the color white represents purity. This aspect causes one to want to know the kind of social environment in which this culture is practiced and why it would be subject to more Western influence than other cultures in the region. Marry me inside Africa: African Basic principles, Bloomington: AuthorHouse, this season. Unfortunately, the groom would have to save his bride from the mob, and a new tradition was born in which the bride would simply toss her bouquet instead of her garter to avoid all the trouble. 32). Tinubu Labour Party Security 31). Press Release Need a custom Research Paper sample written from scratch by 31). If the payment is made in full, the couple is considered legally divorced and may remarry without any problems (Gamble et al. Culture defines peoples lifestyles and it sets the platform upon which people can relate with other cultural groupings in a given place. The Wolof people are the largest ethnic grouping in Senegal as they form about 35% of the Senegalese populace and about 12% of the Gambian populace (Diop 112). Once this transaction is made, it will be time for that bride-to-be to move towards the grooms compound officially (Gamble et ing. These include the role that marriage plays in the family formation in the Wolof society, what the economic background of the plural marriages is, and which traditions describe the marriage ceremony of the Wolof culture. Print. The Wolof people are a good ethnic grouping within North Eastern a part of Senegal, parts associated with Mauritania, and Gambia. Gamble, David, Linda Salmon, and Hassan Njie 1985, Peoples of the Gambia: The Wolof. Wolof women are usually difficult workers in addition they attempt to build up prosperity through looking after individual farms as well as helping their partners within the family members farms. The Wolof attaches more importance to the stability and success of the family unit. 32). Consequently, most cultures exhibit elements of different cultures from other parts of the world. Buhari While only ever consolidated into a single state structure for part of this time, the tradition of governance, caste, and culture of the Wolof dominate the history of north-central Senegal for much of the last 800 years. The villagers detained him; he settled among them and became the one who settled disputes and sovereign authority. The specific Wolof society will certainly be broken into groupe ponyme, which entail commendable and slaves among several others. apc If a woman at some point feels that her marriage life is unbearable, she can go back to her kin and refuse to come back. After identifying the right girl, the father of a young would man would enlist the help of a 3rd party to function as a go-between. Copyright 2023 - IvyPanda is operated by, Negatives Effects of Social Network Sites, Wolof Culture and Crisis of Masculinity in It, The Masculinity Crisis in the Wolof Communities and Changes in the Womens Status, White Wedding Traditions in American Culture, The Impact of Social Media on Food Culture (preferences) in America, The Effect of Polygamy on the Modern Society Essay, The Effects of Technology on Humans: Social Media, Arguments against Young Marriage and Their Rebuttal, Friends as They Are: In Search for a Soul Mate. In the conventional traditional arrangement, the parents were the ones to decide that their son is ripe for marriage, seek a suitable bride for him, and initiate marriage talks (Agorsah 61). "The Marriage Traditions of Wolof Culture." When she moves, the tinkling sound is supposed to deflect. Print. We utilize security vendors that protect and Onitsha indigenes Under such marriage arrangements, the bride and the groom did not have much of an influence over what happens. 4. It should also be noted that divorce could be subject to many other issues among them the social classes of the couples. Once an individual and woman get married to, it does not take particular main duty associated along with the woman to produce her husband happy. In the 20th century, the Wolof people played a key role in the struggle for independence and the formation of a modern Senegal.They however became a dominant power in the region, forming a state that spanned across present-day Senegal, The Gambia, and Mauritania. [11][30][31], The social strata have included a free category called geer, a castes category called nyeenyo or neeno, and a servile category of slaves called jaam. The Platform upon which people can relate with other cultural groupings to many other issues among them and the! 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