The pre-Islamic religious traditions of Wolof are unknown, and neither written nor oral traditions about their traditional religion are available. Similarly, a West African rice dish is known in English as Jollof rice. [28][29] It is the most widely spoken language in Senegal, spoken natively by the Wolof people (40% of the population) but also by most other Senegalese as a second language. 31). The Wolof as a people are largely Muslim and they practice Islam as religion. (LogOut/ [8] Ira Lapidus, a professor of Middle Eastern and Islamic History, states that the early-19th-century Senegambian fighters "swept through Senegambia burning villages, killing pagans and enslaving their enemies," and were responsible for the conversion of substantial numbers of Wolof to Islam. If accepted the Kola nuts are distributed amongst family, and neighbors which is an informal . "The Marriage Traditions of Wolof Culture." [38][39] However, according to Susan McIntosh, a professor of anthropology specializing in African societies, the emergence of caste systems in West African societies such as the Wolof, Mande, Malinke, Serer, and Soninke was likely older. Tall, dark and striking, Wolof people are often seen in colourful fabrics and patterns with the traditional boubou the garment of choice for both men and women. Married women exist in closely-knit friendship systems, which ensure that it is extremely difficult for a woman to engage in acts of infidelity (Gamble et al. All Right Reserved. The French, who had established a colony in Senegal, sought to expand their control over the region and began a process of forced assimilation and cultural suppression. 2. 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. Gamble, David, Linda Salmon, and Hassan Njie 1985, Peoples of the Gambia: The Wolof. [23], In and after the 18th century, the Wolofs were impacted by the violent jihads in West Africa, which triggered internal disagreements among the Wolof on Islam. Divorce is quite common in the Wolof society and according to the Islamic tenets. [33] The Wolof's caste status, states Villaln, is a greater barrier to inter-marriage than is either ethnicity or religion in Senegal. The now-traditional wedding favor of five Jordan almonds symbolizes five wishes for the newlyweds of health, wealth, happiness, fertility, and longevity. As the European demand for slaves increased during the 17th and 18th centuries, the era saw a corresponding increase in Wolof slave raids with the purpose of acquiring captives to transport to the coast. They are part of the larger West African cultural group known as the Senegal-Gambian Wolof, which includes several other ethnic groups with similar languages and customs. He then declares his intentions by offering his future in laws alcoholic drinks. Wolof is the native language of the Wolof people, and it is spoken by many here. Polygamy is also a normal phenomenon among the Wolof people because as already noted, they are largely Muslim and the Islam religion permits polygamy (Ames 395). Over time, the herb bouquet was gradually replaced by flowers which carry special meanings in differentcultures around the world. 32). Married ladies can be found in closely-knit friendship systems, which create sure it really is extremely difficult for just about any woman to interact within functions of cheating (Gamble et ing. MONDAY MUSINGS: CUTTING THROUGH THE NOISE. festival Though French is the official language of Senegal, it is not difficult to find people in Dakar (the capital city) who only speak Wolof. Print. Today, a young man may identify a particular girl and after the approval of parents, the father initiates talks to ask for the girls hand in marriage (Gamble et al. [42][43], A single compound may have multiple huts, with a patrilocal male as its head, with a different wife and her children in each hut in polygynous households. They are known for their rich culture, history, and traditions, which have been passed down through generations. culture The institution associated with marriage is a good intrinsic section of the Wolof culture. 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. Although it is an age-old wedding tradition, it is a practice that is becoming less popular, with rice being replaced by alternatives such as confetti, bubbles, and sparklers. Clearly, the family unit is a fundamental unit of the Wolof culture, and apart from being a building block for society, it defines the economic status of a man. The Wolof people are a good ethnic grouping within North Eastern a part of Senegal, parts associated with Mauritania, and Gambia. The bridal party would then make its way to the grooms compound. * By using this form you agree with the storage and handling of your data by this website. 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). IvyPanda. 9 February 2015. Cassava is also grown, but it has been a source of income for the Wolof farmers. Most are located in the West African countries of Senegal and The Gambia. The Wolof All rights reserved. A compound is sometimes fenced with a hedge made from reeds or millet-stalk. Some of the popular features of American marriage traditions for wedding ceremony ideas include: Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue. (2019, November 28). 31). The Wolof society is divided into castes, which entail nobles and slaves among several others. The wedding cake, for example, stems from the Roman tradition of breaking wheat cakes on top of the brides head for fertility and stacking them as high as possible for good fortune. 32). 1. @2015-2019 - INLANDTOWN.COM. 31). lagos To be able to form the strong and steady family among the Wolof, it was traditionally believed that cross-cousin marriage (young man marrying a maternal uncles daughter) was the best form of marriage (Gamble et al. This preference hinged on the idea that such arrangements provided the best and most stable marriages. If the girls family accepted the kola nuts, that was an indicator that they granted the groom permission to court their daughter. Press Release Tinubu Drawing a Fine Line Between Friendship and Acquaintanceship, Police Will Battle MASSOB/IPB , If Says AIG Usman Gwary, History: Igwe Ofala Okagbue, Longest Ruling Obi of Onitsha. Both have traditionally been hereditary castes. IPOB Their religious beliefs centered around the worship of . David Ugbabe Social relationships within a village are based on hierarchy, while disputes are typically settled with intermediaries and Muslim tribunals headed by an Islamic judge called a qadi. Before the Wolof people became involved in goods and slave trading with the Portuguese merchants on the coast, they had a long tradition of established trading of goods and slaves with the Western Sudanese empires and with Imamate of Futa Toro and other ethnic groups in North Africa. 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. This trend was your norm within the countryside settings, but there has been adjustments where young adults residing in cities marry at later on ages. 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. Ames, David. They are also referred to as the Wollof, Jolof, Iolof, Whalof, Ialof, Olof, and Volof, among other spellings. We will write a custom Research Paper on The Marriage Traditions of Wolof Culture specifically for you for only $11.00 $9.35/page. Wait staff dressed as court attendants serve the newlyweds and those impersonating royal guards perform traditional martial arts. Something old represents continuity. A Zulu bride will change her outfit at least three different times to convey to her in laws her beauty in different styles and colors. The marriage traditions of the Wolof people show a clear picture of how the Wolof people regard family relationships and their expected contribution to the wellbeing of society. Later politico-religious changes, such as those brought during the Wolof Empire era, introduced major changes in the social structure among the Wolofs and many other ethnic groups, including a shift to a patrilineal system. Ames, David. Therefore, the practice of throwing rice at a wedding is symbolic ofshowering the couple with good fortune. 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. [8][9][10] Wolofs joined the various competing Sufi Muslim movements in the 20th century, particularly those belonging to the Mouride and Tijaniyyah Islamic brotherhoods. This aspect makes family a very important dimension in the economic wellbeing of the Wolof people. Ndnk-ndnk: An introduction to Wolof culture, Dakar: Peace Corps, 1981. The bride parents consult with their daughter and together they consent to or reject this proposal. It contains thousands of paper examples on a wide variety of topics, all donated by helpful students. We hope our list has helped clarify the origins and meanings of some of the most popular wedding traditions in America. Griots are West African storytellers and musicians who tend to show up (uninvited) to big events like weddings to try to make some money. 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. Naturally, the responsibility of tossing the garter shifted to the groom. Marriage between specific two groups is going to be generally not permitted. The groom carries the bride across the threshold to bravely protect her from evil spirits lurking below. Wolof People: Marriage Traditions, Divorce and Culture, 10 Funny wedding Vows Sample for Him or her, Singles Day 2019: 3 Benefits of celebrating singles day as Married or in a Relationship, Young Boy Upset with his Mother Jumps off a Bridge into a River - VIDEO, VIDEO!! 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. Under such marriage arrangements, the bride and the groom did not have much of an influence over what happens. Their history and cultural traditions date back thousands of years, making them one of the most fascinating and vibrant tribes in West Africa. politics 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. Trainee Wolof manual, Dakar: Peace Corps, this season. The Wolof people are known for their rich and diverse culture, which includes music, dance, oral traditions, and spiritual practices. 32). Your privacy is extremely important to us. The xooy is a time of great celebration and joy, and is an important moment in the Wolof calendar. You can unsubscribe at any time. For the girls father, the young man was expected to assist in chores such as weeding and harvesting among other masculine endeavors. Although traditions play an important role, history has shown us that its okay to get a little creative when it comes to planning your special day. Mbaya, Maweja. The wedding tradition of tying cans to the bumper of the wedding car comes from the French custom of throwing acharivari for the couple. The Sufi leaders and marabouts exercise cultural and political influence amongst most Muslim communities, most notably the leader of the Muridiyya also called the Mouride brotherhood. Once this transaction is made, it will be time for that bride-to-be to move towards the grooms compound officially (Gamble et ing. Anambra state You can unsubscribe at any time. Although this scenario has slightly changed with time, this practice is still prevalent in rural areas albeit with some minor adjustments. [26], In the 20th century, Ahmadiyya and Methodist missionaries opened offices in contemporary Senegambia, but very few Wolof have become members of these.[27]. After identifying the right girl, the father of a young would man would enlist the help of a third party to serve as a go-between. The Griots were highly respected members of the community, who used their musical and storytelling abilities to preserve the tribes history, traditions, and cultural heritage. Print. Though French is the official language of Senegal, it is not difficult to find people in Dakar (the capital city) who only speak Wolof. Women of the pottery caste group, also help in steps involved in making pottery.[43]. The slave owner and his descendants also had a right to have sex with slave women owned by the household. [citation needed]. They have a deep respect for their ancestors and a strong belief in their cultural heritage, which they celebrate through a variety of festivals and rituals. [7][14] In English, Wollof and Woloff[4] are found, particularly in reference to the Gambian Wolof; for English-speakers, the spelling Wollof is closer to the native pronunciation of the name. Here is a picture of a group of women in beautiful colorful dresses waiting. The Wolof people (wlf/) - (wolf/) are an ethnic group in Senegal, The Gambia, and Mauritania. Each compound has either round or square huts made from adobe-like mud-millet stalk walls and thatched roofs with a conical shape. Children stay making use of their mother until they may become old group prior to they might proceed back again to their very own dad. [46] The dower is the property of the woman upon the consummation of the marriage. Weve compiled a visual of 16 popular wedding traditions and their origins, so you can learn more about how these common customs came to be. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Enter your email address to follow this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email. Japan Japanese brides are decorated in white from head to toe, with white paint masking their faces to convey their utmost virtue and innocence. 3 of 15 Wearing a Veil delta state Some villages in contemporary times share agricultural machinery and sell the peanut harvest as a cooperative. 31). The tradition of a diamond engagement ring was started by Archduke Maximilian of Austria when he proposed to Mary of Burgundy. Yikes! Though I wasnt at the ceremony itself, it was a great place to absorb a good dose of Senegalese culture. Over time the sheaths of wheat have been replaced with flowers that are scattered along the path that leads up to the altar. The tradition of going on a honeymoon after a wedding, dates back to the 5th century when cultures represented the calendar time in moon cycles. 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. While some traditions take place on the wedding day, others are done in advance of the nuptials, such as burying a bottle of bourbon. The Wolof attaches more importance to the stability and success of the family unit. During the ceremony, a small payment consisting of kola nuts and money was made to the brides family, thus making the marriage legally binding (Gamble et al. [6][7] In the Gambia, about 16% of the population are Wolof. November 28, 2019. https://ivypanda.com/essays/the-marriage-traditions-of-wolof-culture/. [24] The West African jihads that involved the Wolof and other ethnic groups started early and often inspired by militant reformers such as those of the 15th century. However, a good man could get wedded to a servant lady, but not really yet another way round (Melching 129). Before a couple could get married, a man had to employ his fellow friends or warrior companions to help him fightoff other warriors and prevent the brides family from finding the couple. The Wolof constitute a large ethnic group inhabiting the West African country of Senegal, a former French colony, and Gambia, a former British colony. The origin of the wedding registry dates back to 1924 at a Marshall Fields store in Chicago. Typically, the chief is also a Muslim religious leader, called seri (marabout). The Wolof people are found in North Eastern part of Senegal, Mauritania, and Gambia. Agorsah, Koffi. The specific marriage traditions through the Wolof individuals display a definite picture showing the way the Wolof people regard members of the family relationships and the personal expected contribution to be able to the wellbeing related to society. Muhammadu Buhari This wedding ceremony demanded the existence of associates from both family members and witnesses. 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). This paper seeks to explore the culture of the Wolof people with emphasis on their marriage traditions. The tradition of having groomsmen as part of the wedding, comes from the ancient tradition of kidnapping the bride. During ancient times, women would wear rings made of papyrus around their wrists and ankles. 31). The bride also wears a white hood to hide her "horns of jealousy" that she may feel towards her mother in law representing her newfound obedience. For starters, it used to be a pie, and it contained oysters, lamb testicles, sweetbreads, rooster comb, and pine kernels, according to a . Soon it became customary to stack these wheat cakes one on top of the another, as tall as they could go. peter obi Traditionally, on the morning following the brides first night, a blood stained cloth would be displayed to show that the bride was a virgin (Agorsah 80), which was a great source of pride that inspired praise-filled songs for the bride and her mother. During Victorian times, a pageboy was responsible for carrying a brides train down the aisle along with a prayer book. This ceremony demanded the presence of representatives from both families and witnesses. 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