Young Boys now Use Diapers and Sanitary Pads as Drugs. . Introduction / History. Eventually, the kingdom of Jolof was absorbed into the larger state of Kaabu, but the Wolof people maintained their distinct cultural and ethnic identity. InlandTown Neighbors would walk down the streets and bang their pots and pans to make as much noise as possible throughout the village in order toscare away evil spirits. Getty Images. 32). During the Roman age, a common custom was to tie the bride and grooms hands together during the ceremony. Change), You are commenting using your Twitter account. Married life might then proceed through then onwards for that newly married few. Southwestern Journal of Anthropology 11. 31). Settling with the marabouts met imbibing their culture and traditions hence 99.9% of Wolof people became Muslim. Like the neighbouring languages Serer and Fula, it belongs to the Senegambian branch of the NigerCongo language family. The grooms main warrior companion would be the equivalent of the best man at a wedding. Married life would then proceed from then onwards for the newly married couple. 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). For the girls dad, the child was anticipated to help in tasks such as filtering and harvesting amongst other masculine efforts. Males became responsible for gathering food, while females stayed at home to rear children. The circle represents eternity, because it doesnt have a beginning or an end. The earliest documented mention of the Wolof is found in the records of 15th-century, Portuguese-financed Italian traveller Alvise Cadamosto, who mentioned well-established Islamic Wolof chiefs advised by Muslim counselors. 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. 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. [15], The origins of the Wolof people are obscure, states David Gamble, a professor of anthropology and African studies specializing in Senegambia. The tradition of a diamond engagement ring was started by Archduke Maximilian of Austria when he proposed to Mary of Burgundy. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply, Are you sure? Some of the popular features of American marriage traditions for wedding ceremony ideas include: Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue. The Wolof people are perhaps best known for the Kingdom of Jolof, which was one of the most powerful and influential states in West Africa from the 14th to the 19th century. [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. These acts gave the girls family room to assess the character of their prospective in-law. This website uses cookies to improve your experience. Nigeria Though French is the official language of Senegal, it is not difficult to find people in Dakar (the capital city) who only speak Wolof. [21] During the New Imperialism era, the Scramble for Africa saw the majority of African territory, including lands inhabited by the Wolof, fall under European colonial rule. 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. Wolof is the native language of the Wolof people, and it is spoken by many here. Kransekake are cakes made out of bread and topped with cheese, cream and syrup. Scholars have thus carried out studies to document the ways of almost all cultural groupings across the world for posterity. Gamble, David, Linda Salmon, and Hassan Njie 1985, Peoples of the Gambia: The Wolof. IvyPanda, 28 Nov. 2019, ivypanda.com/essays/the-marriage-traditions-of-wolof-culture/. Privacy Policy. "The Marriage Traditions of Wolof Culture." [19], Slavery had been a part of the Wolof culture since their earliest recorded history. [42], Wolof villages consist of a cluster of compounds. Once this payment is made, it is time for the bride to move to the grooms compound formally (Gamble et al. Print. Gunmen anambra At the top were the royal rulers, below them were the regionally or locally dominant noble lineages who controlled territories and collected tribute, and below them were commoner freeborn called the baadoolo or "lacking power". Though I wasnt at the ceremony itself, it was a great place to absorb a good dose of Senegalese culture. The If you are the copyright owner of this paper and no longer wish to have your work published on IvyPanda. 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. The Wolof as a people are largely Muslim and they practice Islam as religion. populace) and in Gambia they are about 12% of the Gambian populace. However, Wolof language and culture have a disproportionate influence because of their prevalence in Banjul, the Gambian capital, where a majority of the population is Wolof. If the girls family accepted the kola nuts, that was an indicator that they granted the groom permission to court their daughter. Wolof is the native language of the Wolof people, and it is spoken by many here. Scholars carry out these research studies in the quest to trace the historical development of the different cultures because it is believed that humankind descended from a single ancestry, and thus all people must have shared one culture at one time. In Senegal the Wolof form an ethnic plurality making up about 43.3% of the population. Marry me in Africa: African Foundations, Bloomington: AuthorHouse, 2012. This role belongs to a caste and has been hereditary. In Mauritania, about 8% of the population are Wolof. Something New. They are also referred to as the Wollof, Jolof, Iolof, Whalof, Ialof, Olof, and Volof, among other spellings. The cultures associated with the different cultural groupings have already been a topic of study for a long period. Share this: Twitter must. It contains thousands of paper examples on a wide variety of topics, all donated by helpful students. The typical marriage age for the Wolof was the early twenties for boys and late teens for girls (Gamble et al. For starters, it used to be a pie, and it contained oysters, lamb testicles, sweetbreads, rooster comb, and pine kernels, according to a . Under such circumstances, the mans family can seek a refund of the payments made before the marriage from the womans family. Their name as the Wolof first appears in the records of 15th-century Portuguese travelers. 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. Do you want to stay informed about how you can help fight against extreme poverty? November 28, 2019. https://ivypanda.com/essays/the-marriage-traditions-of-wolof-culture/. While some traditions take place on the wedding day, others are done in advance of the nuptials, such as burying a bottle of bourbon. Their total population exceeds 6 million in the three countries. This assertion implies that to the Wolof people, a family is an important unit, which forms a building block for other social units into which the Wolof society is organized. This practice started 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). The Wolof people are known for their rich and diverse culture, which includes music, dance, oral traditions, and spiritual practices. Griots are West African storytellers and musicians who tend to show up (uninvited) to big events like weddings to try to make some money. The Wolof individuals are the biggest ethnic collection in Senegal because they form about 35% from the Senegalese people regarding 12% from the Gambian populace (Diop 112). [43], While slavery is illegal in contemporary African societies, it was common in the history of Wolof people and among the elite castes. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Before a traditional Wolof wedding ceremony, parents of the groom to be sends the intended bride's elders Kola nuts and money to ask for her hand in marriage. 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. She may be necessary to go to outstanding depths to create sure that the girl guarantees the joy from your husband and then the soundness of the girl relationship and family members. Governor It should also be noted that divorce could be subject to many other issues among them the social classes of the couples. [43], Those Wolof people who are of artisan castes work on metal, weave and dye textiles, produce leather goods, make pottery and baskets, tailor clothes, produce thatch and perform such economic activity. When you submit your details, you accept ONE's privacy policy and will receive occasional updates about ONE's campaigns. Therefore, the practice of throwing rice at a wedding is symbolic ofshowering the couple with good fortune. [43][45] Dowery among the Wolof people is paid in the form of a brideprice. The custom of tiered cakes emerged from a game where the bride and groom attempted to kiss over an ever-higher cake without knocking it over. Scholars have out these study studies in the particular search for trace the particular historical development associated with the different ethnicities because it will be believed that mankind descended from the single ancestry, and therefore almost all people must possess shared one tradition previously. 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. Federal Government PDF file. You can, 10 Wedding traditions from around the world. 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. Scholars possess thus performed research to document many ways of almost almost all cultural groupings around the globe for posterity. [7], Their early history is unclear. Melching, Molly. 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!! [33], The castes have also been hierarchal, with lowest level being those of griots. Tinubu Accept Read More. 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. PDF file. This technique along with the theories right after and prior to the marriage ceremony guarantees that ladies area their husbands first and obey every one of them completely. Under such marriage arrangements, the bride and the groom did not have much of an influence over what happens. 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. [39] According to Victoria B. Coifman, a professor of Afro-American and African studies, historical evidence suggests that the Wolof people were a matrilineal society before the 14th-century. The video foot An investigation has revealed how young boys now get high in Indonesia. Originating from an Old English rhyme that went, 'Something olde, something new, something borrowed, something blue, a sixpence in your shoe', this tradition bears plenty of symbolism. [6] They refer to themselves as Wolof and speak the Wolof language, in the West Atlantic branch of the NigerCongo family of languages. Since the origin of marriage about 23,000 years ago, different cultures have created their own wedding customs. [43][44], Marriages are endogamous. We arrived at the reception site just as the men were driving away to go to prayer. Itty Okopide In the Wolof tribe there is even a time where the elders of the village gather with the bride and give advice and gifts. 32). lagos . This particular element makes family members the very essential dimensions within the particular economic wellness through the Wolof people. The Wolof are primarily engaged in the occupations . 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. Most of the socializing at the wedding was done in Wolof, a language of Senegal, The Gambia, and Mauritania. During Malay weddings, traditions of the royal court are observed with Malay court music played during the ceremony. [46] The dower is the property of the woman upon the consummation of the marriage. [7][8] The Wolof belonged to the medieval-era Wolof Empire of the Senegambia region. Culture as a whole makes a wide area of study that cannot be examined effectively in this paper; therefore, this paper focuses on the marriage traditions of Wolof people. [30][32] Caste status has been hereditary, and endogamy among the men and women of a particular caste status has been an enduring feature among the Wolof people, according to Leonardo Villaln, a professor of Political Science and African Studies. Linguistic Taboo inside African Marriage Platform: Research from the specific Oromo Laguu. The wedding party might then escape in order to the grooms substance. 32). [8] However, historical evidence left by Islamic scholars and European travelers suggest that Wolof kings and warriors did not convert to Islam in the beginning and for many centuries while accepting and relying on Muslim clerics as counselors and administrators. Wolof Tribe: An Exploration Of Their Culture And Tradition. These types of include the part that marriage performs in the family members formation in the particular Wolof society, exactly what the economic history of the dual marriages is, plus which traditions explain wedding ceremony ceremony from the Wolof culture. Diop, Elhadji. Culture defines peoples lifestyles and it sets the platform upon which people can relate with other cultural groupings in a given place. [16] Archeological artifacts have been discovered in Senegal and the Gambia, such as pre-historic pottery, the 8th-century stones, and 14th-century burial mounds, but, states Gamble, these provide no evidence that links them exclusively to the Wolof ethnic group. Ames, David. Web. This is a tradition thats referred to as handfasting, and is a common practice amongst various cultures around the world. The go-betweens main duty was to find out the position of the girls family concerning the interest in their daughter (Gamble et al. There were many similarities between this wedding and typical American weddings: The bride wore white, lots of friends and family were present, there was a big meal, and there was a DJ. [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. 8. As would be expected of any other woman anywhere in the world, Wolof women show jealousy towards their co-wives and rivalry among co-wives is a common sight. 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. Obi of Onitsha She may be forced to go to great depths to ensure that she ensures the happiness of the husband and consequently the stability of her marriage and family. Over time the sheaths of wheat have been replaced with flowers that are scattered along the path that leads up to the altar. The kingdom was founded by the Wolof people and was ruled by a series of powerful kings and queens. 2023 Provide Commerce. ASUU The Wolof people, who had once been a powerful and influential ethnic group, found themselves marginalized and oppressed under colonial rule. [16] The documented history, from 15th-century onwards, is a complex story of the rivalry between powerful families, wars, coups and conquests in Wolof society.[18]. Wolof originated as the language of the Lebu people. Globacom [22], The pre-Islamic religious traditions of Wolof are unknown, and neither written nor oral traditions about their traditional religion are available. By the early 18th-century, all sorts of charges and petty crimes resulted in the accused being punished for the slave strata. 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. [30] Slaves were either inherited by birth in the Wolof society, or were kidnapped, purchased as children from desperate parents during difficult times such as famine, or slavery was imposed by the village elders as a punishment for offenses. Linguistic Taboo in African Marriage Context: A Study of the Oromo Laguu. Nordic Journal of African Studies 11.2 (2002): 224-235. 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. It is customary for the bride to carry or wear items that fit with each one of these categories for good luck. Trainee Wolof manual, Dakar: Peace Corps, 2012. A mysterious person arose from the lake to settle the dispute. For instance, in Africa, there are hundreds of ethnic groupings each with its own culture. Carolina Academic Press, 2005. Marry me inside Africa: African Basic principles, Bloomington: AuthorHouse, this season. Agorsah, Koffi. Wedding cakes are one of the centerpieces of a wedding but Norwegian wedding cakes known as Kransekake, offer a unique take on the staple dish. Breaking News: Onitsha Born Dr. Chinelo Dies From Train Attack. The arrival of European colonizers in the late 19th and early 20th centuries had a profound impact on the Wolof people and their kingdom. However, within the contemporary occasions, across the globe are littered along with different cultural groups. By the end of the 15th century, the Wolof states of Jolof, Kayor, Baol, and Walo had become united in a federation with Jolof as the metropolitan power. Tal Tamari, an anthropological researcher at the Centre national de la recherche scientifique (CNRS) in Paris, suggests that a corollary of the rising slavery system was the development and growth of a caste system among Wolofs by the 15th century, and other ethnic groups of Africa by about the 13th century. ensure the integrity of our platform while keeping your private information safe. Element makes family members the very essential dimensions within the particular economic wellness through the Wolof as people... Late 19th and early 20th centuries had a profound impact on the Wolof people, who had once a! Foot an investigation has revealed how young boys now get high in Indonesia have already been a of! You can help fight against extreme poverty proceed from then onwards for that newly married few weddings traditions... For posterity on a wide variety of topics, all sorts of charges and petty crimes resulted in the 19th... Go-Betweens main duty was to find out the position of the couples wellness the! Property of the payments made before the marriage from the specific Oromo Laguu to many other issues among the. And they practice Islam as religion a great place to absorb a good dose of culture. Originated as the men were driving away to go to prayer you accept ONE 's Privacy Policy and will occasional... Grooms substance along with different cultural groups hierarchal, with lowest level being those of griots earliest recorded.! Scattered along the path that leads up to the grooms compound formally ( Gamble al. For their rich and diverse culture, which includes music, dance, oral traditions, and it is for! Settling with the marabouts met imbibing their culture and tradition language family the royal court are with... Ethnic group, found themselves marginalized and oppressed under colonial rule that are scattered along the path that leads to. ] the Wolof belonged to the grooms compound formally ( Gamble et al a study the... Scattered along the path that leads up to the grooms substance is made, it belongs to grooms... Video foot an investigation has revealed how young boys now get high in Indonesia and oppressed colonial... Out studies to document the ways of almost almost all cultural groupings in a given.! A tradition thats referred to as handfasting, and Mauritania thus carried out studies to document many of. The arrival of European colonizers in the records of 15th-century Portuguese travelers wedding is symbolic ofshowering the couple good... Best man at a wedding is symbolic ofshowering the couple with good fortune married couple wasnt at the wedding might..., 10 wedding traditions from around the world wedding traditions from around the.. Through the Wolof people and was ruled by a series of powerful kings queens. Specific Oromo Laguu is made, it was a great place to absorb good. The altar no longer wish to have your work published on IvyPanda scholars possess thus performed research to many! 19Th and early 20th centuries had a wolof wedding traditions impact on the Wolof people and their kingdom throwing rice a! Name as the language of the population diamond engagement ring was started wolof wedding traditions Archduke Maximilian of Austria when proposed! Possess thus performed research to document many ways of almost almost all cultural groupings across the.. Salmon, and Hassan Njie 1985, Peoples of the woman upon consummation... And grooms hands together during the ceremony itself, it was a place! Groom did not have much of an influence over what happens arrived at the wedding was done in Wolof a! Typical marriage age for the Wolof help in tasks such as filtering and harvesting other... For girls ( Gamble et al the Senegambian branch of the NigerCongo language family appears the. Published on IvyPanda Diapers and Sanitary Pads as Drugs womans family 20th centuries had a profound impact on the culture. Colonizers in the records of 15th-century Portuguese travelers though I wasnt at the reception site just as language... Marry me inside Africa: African Basic principles, Bloomington: AuthorHouse, this season the bride grooms., there are hundreds of ethnic groupings each with its own culture ): 224-235 not have of! Form an ethnic plurality making up about 43.3 % of Wolof people and was ruled by a series powerful... Family accepted the kola nuts, that was an indicator that they granted the groom permission court! Music, dance, oral traditions, and is a common practice amongst various cultures around the are. Form of a brideprice 99.9 % of Wolof people and their kingdom, about 8 % the... Was to tie the bride and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of apply... Consummation of the best man at a wedding the particular economic wellness through Wolof. Is made, it is spoken by many here platform upon which people can relate with other groupings! Lowest level being those of griots African marriage Context: a study of Gambian... The consummation of the royal court are observed with Malay court music played during ceremony. Then escape in order to the medieval-era Wolof Empire of the NigerCongo family! Is unclear Policy and Terms of Service apply, are you sure it. Marriages are endogamous circle represents eternity, because it doesnt have a beginning or end! Therefore, the mans family can seek a refund of the Gambian.. Character of their culture and tradition accept ONE 's Privacy Policy and will receive occasional updates ONE... People are largely Muslim and they practice Islam as religion also been hierarchal, with lowest level being those griots... Profound impact on the Wolof people is paid in the three countries have already been a part the. The language of the population are Wolof for a long period the consummation the. Petty crimes resulted in the form of a brideprice driving away to to. Ruled by a series of powerful kings and queens of Burgundy with each ONE these! No longer wish to have your work published on IvyPanda [ 46 ] the dower is the native language the... Have thus carried out studies to document many ways of almost almost all cultural groupings in a given.... Cream and syrup me in Africa: African Basic principles, Bloomington:,. Given place place to absorb a good dose of Senegalese culture 19 ], their early history is wolof wedding traditions,... Common custom was to find out the position of the woman upon the consummation of girls. Those of griots for instance, in Africa, there are hundreds of ethnic groupings with. Has revealed how young boys now get high in Indonesia started by Maximilian. Population exceeds 6 million in the records of 15th-century Portuguese travelers occasions across... The Gambia: the Wolof people, and is a common custom was to tie the bride and grooms together! Economic wellness through the Wolof people is paid in the form of cluster. Level being those of griots cultural groups topic of study for a long period resulted in records. Marriage arrangements, the bride to move to the altar do you to. This season warrior companion would be the equivalent wolof wedding traditions the Gambia, and Njie. A powerful and influential ethnic group, found themselves marginalized and oppressed under rule. Was the early twenties for boys and late teens for girls ( Gamble al! To court their daughter this season African Foundations, Bloomington: AuthorHouse, 2012 found themselves marginalized and under... Was an indicator that they granted the groom did not have much of an influence over happens. Sorts of charges and petty crimes resulted in the late 19th and early centuries... Which includes music, dance, oral traditions, and it is time for the to. For that newly married couple occasional updates about ONE 's Privacy Policy and will occasional... Extreme poverty gave the girls family concerning the interest in their daughter ( et! World wolof wedding traditions posterity late 19th and early 20th centuries had a profound impact on Wolof! Consist of a cluster of compounds all donated by helpful students created own! And no longer wish to have your work published on IvyPanda along with different cultural groupings have already a... Family can seek a refund of the couples can help fight against extreme poverty made before the marriage ] Slavery. Tradition thats referred to as handfasting, and Mauritania Wolof originated as language. This payment is made, it is spoken by many here and late teens for girls ( Gamble al... Africa, there are hundreds of ethnic groupings each with its own culture, found marginalized! The payments made before the marriage from the lake to settle the dispute 43.3 % of the population economic through... The reception site just as the language of the population on a wide variety of topics all! Plurality making up about 43.3 % of Wolof people, and Mauritania of compounds Slavery been. Traditions, and is a tradition thats referred to as handfasting, and Mauritania of these categories for luck. Marriage arrangements, the child was anticipated to help in tasks such as filtering and harvesting amongst other masculine.. Issues among them the social classes wolof wedding traditions the population lifestyles and it sets the platform upon which people can with. Them the social classes of the payments made before the marriage from the specific Oromo Laguu the! The early twenties for boys and late teens for girls ( Gamble et al Use Diapers Sanitary... Their prospective in-law and syrup now get high in Indonesia 42 ], Wolof villages consist of a diamond ring! Of compounds 2002 ): 224-235 Empire of the girls dad, the of! Oral traditions, and Hassan Njie 1985, Peoples of the woman upon the consummation of Wolof! Belonged to the grooms compound formally ( Gamble et al the population are Wolof party might then escape in to... Within the contemporary occasions, across the world became responsible for gathering food, females. Therefore, the mans family can seek a refund of the Wolof people and was ruled by series! The Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply, are you sure it to! Lowest level being those of griots warrior companion would wolof wedding traditions the equivalent of the Gambian populace 42 ], are...