- Wolof people
Ethnic group
caption=Notable Wolof:Akon ,Abdoulaye Wade ,Youssou N'Dour , Aminata Ndiaye
group=Wolof
poptime=3.6 million [ [http://www.ethnologue.com/show_language.asp?code=wol ethnologue.com] (2002 figures)]
popplace=Senegal :
3.2 millionThe Gambia :
200,000Mauritania :
185,000
langs=Wolof,
French (Senegal and Mauritania),
English (The Gambia),
Hassaniya (Mauritania)
rels=Sunni Islam (%90),Animism (%6),Christianity (%2) [ [http://africaguide.com/country/senegal/culture.htm Senegal:Religion] , africaguide.com (1996-2008). ]
related=Lebou The Wolof are an
ethnic group found inSenegal ,The Gambia , andMauritania .In
Senegal , the Wolof form an ethnic plurality with about 40% of the population self-identifying as Wolof. They are also the majority in the region stretching from Saint-Louis in the north,Kaolack in the south, andDakar to the west. However, there are few Wolof who reside inCasamance .In
The Gambia , about 15% of the population are Wolof. Here, they are a minority, where the Mandinka are the majority with 40% of the population, yet Wolof language and culture have a disproportionate influence because of their prevalence inBanjul , The Gambia's capital, where 50% of the population are Wolof.In
Mauritania , about 7% of the population are Wolof. They live largely in the southern coastal region of the country.Orthography
In older French publications the spelling "Ouolof" is often used instead of "Wolof". In some English publications, predominantly those referring to Gambian Wolof, the spelling "Wollof" is used, because this spelling will induce native English speakers to pronounce the term correctly as a Wolof speaker. In publications of the 19th century and before the spelling "Volof" and "Olof" can also be found. Rarely used are also the spellings "Jolof", "Jollof" and "Dyolof". - The term "Wolof" itself may also refer to the
Wolof language or to things originating from Wolof culture or tradition.Historical state
The
Wolof Empire was a medieval West African state that ruled parts ofSenegal andThe Gambia from approximately1350 to1890 . While only ever consolidated into a single state structure for part of this time, the tradion of governance, caste, and culture of the Wolof dominate the history of north-central Senegal for much of the last 800 years. It's final demise at the hands of French colonial forces in the 1870s-1890s also marks the beginning of the formation of Senegal as a unified state.Culture
Wolof people’s traditional culture and practices survive from the pre-colonial period, and while a dominant force in Senegalese culture, differ that of the other ethnic groups.
Language
"Wolof" is the name of the native language of the Wolof people (see
Wolof language ). Because 40% of Senegal's population are native speakers of Wolof, Wolof culture and language have an enormous influence, especially in urban areas. 94% of Senegalese, including non-Wolofs, can speak the language.Religion
The vast majority of the Wolof people, like the population of Senegal, are
Muslim , with minorities practicingChristianity and others adhering solely to pre-IslamicAnimist traditions. The SenegaleseSufi Muslim brotherhoods, appearing in Wolof communities in the 19th century, grew tremendously in the 20th. Their leaders, ormarabouts , exercise a huge cultural and political influence amongst most Muslim communities, most notably the leader of theMouride brotherhood,Serigne Mouhamadou Lamine Bara Mbacke .Wolof ceremonial traditions
Ceremonies such as weddings, funerals, and baptisms, while not unique, are have traditional elements distinctive to the Wolof. Many aspects of these traditional ceremonies have merged and been modified though the 20th century.
Weddings
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