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. Print. Print. Cattle are also raised, not for food, but milk, tilling the land, and as a reserve of wealth. Marriage Traditions of Wolof People The institution of marriage is an intrinsic part of the Wolof culture. 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. [40][41], The Wolof are primarily rural (~75%), living in small villages. Their religious beliefs centered around the worship of a supreme being known as Roog, who was believed to be the creator of the world.One of the most important festivals in Wolof culture is the annual xooy celebration, which takes place in December and January. In a bid to explore the topic exhaustively, the paper poses three fundamental questions that it seeks to address. 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. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply, Are you sure? The Wolof culture is one of most affected cultures by Western influence in comparison to other cultures in the region (Diop 101). In the Wolof tribe there is even a time where the elders of the village gather with the bride and give advice and gifts. Cassava is also grown, but it has been a source of income for the Wolof farmers. The wedding tradition of tying cans to the bumper of the wedding car comes from the French custom of throwing acharivari for the couple. [42], Wolof villages consist of a cluster of compounds. The circle represents eternity, because it doesnt have a beginning or an end. Some villages in contemporary times share agricultural machinery and sell the peanut harvest as a cooperative. For the girls father, the young man was expected to assist in chores such as weeding and harvesting among other masculine endeavors. Characteristics Of The Wolof People. Wolof smiths produce tools for agriculture, while another group works on gold jewelry. This website uses cookies to improve your experience. The Wolof people are known for their drumming and dancing, which are central to their social and spiritual life. They are also referred to as the Wollof, Jolof, Iolof, Whalof, Ialof, Olof, and Volof, among other spellings. While some traditions take place on the wedding day, others are done in advance of the nuptials, such as burying a bottle of bourbon. You can use them for inspiration, an insight into a particular topic, a handy source of reference, or even just as a template of a certain type of paper. [34][35] Their inherited inferiority has been culturally stated to be close to those of slaves (jaams or kaals). Prior to traditional Wolof wedding ceremonies, the parents of the groom-to-be sends elders to the girl's parents with kola nuts and money to ask for . Print. The traditional wedding cake also had a strange beginning. 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. Print. It's located in Berlin, Germany.Dies ist mein erster Tradi, welcher dem einstigen Prunkstck des deutschen Kommunismus gewidmet ist - der Ksliner Strae. (LogOut/ [46] The dower is the property of the woman upon the consummation of the marriage. 3. The Wolof people are an ethnic grouping in North Eastern part of Senegal, parts of Mauritania, and Gambia. 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. https://ivypanda.com/essays/the-marriage-traditions-of-wolof-culture/, IvyPanda. Divorce is quite common in the Wolof society and according to the Islamic tenets. Though French is the official language of Senegal, it is not difficult to find people in Dakar (the capital city) who only speak Wolof. "The Marriage Traditions of Wolof Culture." [citation needed]. Therefore, the veil was used to conceal the brides appearance up until the very moment in which they were to be married. [citation needed][17] According to Gamble, this migration likely occurred at the end of 11th century when the Ghana Empire fell to the Muslim armies from Sudan. 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. 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. Create a free website or blog at WordPress.com. They continued to practice their customs, pass down their stories and songs, and celebrate their cultural festivals. The Wolof are a large ethnic group with a population of several million. Anambra State Government (ANSG) However, a good man could get wedded to a servant lady, but not really yet another way round (Melching 129). 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. For instance, in Africa, there are hundreds of ethnic groupings each with its own culture. Wolof Tribe: An Exploration Of Their Culture And Tradition. Traditionally, the grooms family would not allow him to see his bride until the wedding. [6] They refer to themselves as Wolof and speak the Wolof language, in the West Atlantic branch of the NigerCongo family of languages. Over time the sheaths of wheat have been replaced with flowers that are scattered along the path that leads up to the altar. Consequently, most cultures exhibit elements of different cultures from other parts of the world. [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. 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. Since the colonial era, peanuts have been the primary cash crop. Each piece is handcrafted by talented artisans in Dakar, Senegal. Although this scenario has slightly changed with time, this practice is still prevalent in rural areas albeit with some minor adjustments. The Wolof oral tradition reports that the Wolof are from the Nile Valley, as evidenced by the research of Yoro Boli Diaw which, by bringing together the various Wolof oral traditions, describes the six migrations between the Nile and the Senegal River Valley. The Wolof people practice a rigid and endogamous marriage. CBN The slaves could not marry without the permission of their owner, and it was usually the responsibility of the slave owner to arrange the marriage of or among his slaves. It contains thousands of paper examples on a wide variety of topics, all donated by helpful students. 31). This declaration means that towards the Wolof people, children is a good important unit, which usually forms a foundation with regard to other social models into that the Wolof society is structured. We waited several hours for the wedding party to return. Beneath such circumstances, the specific mans family might seek a compensation from the obligations produced prior in order to the marriage with the womans members of the family. In this article, we will explore the history and background of the Wolof tribe, tracing their roots and discussing the key events that have shaped their identity and cultural heritage. Most are located in the West African countries of Senegal and The Gambia. 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. professional specifically for you? In recent years, however, the expansion of peanut cultivation and an acceleration towards urbanization has motivated many of the Wolof to spread out into Cote d'Ivoire and Mali. The video foot An investigation has revealed how young boys now get high in Indonesia. 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. This fun wedding tradition dates back to the 14th century. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you Onitsha "The Marriage Traditions of Wolof Culture." In Nigeria, the Igbo bless the newlywed couple by throwing bank notes on them or rubbing their foreheads with banknotes, expressing the prosperous future they hope the couple shares. [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. The preferred and common form of marriage is the bilateral cross-cousin type, with most preferred marriages are those between a man and the daughter of his mother's brother. 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. The oral traditions of the Wolof have legends that state them to have been adherents of Islam since the founding of their Kingdom of Jolof. [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. Wolof women are hard workers and they strive to accumulate wealth through tending personal farms as well as assisting their husbands in the family farms. Privacy Policy. [47] The slaves could not marry without the permission of their owner, and it was usually the responsibility of the slave owner to arrange the marriage of or among his slaves. Children remain with their mother until they are of age before they can go back to their father. 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). Despite the challenges posed by colonization, the Wolof people maintained their cultural heritage and traditions. In contemporary times share agricultural machinery and sell the peanut harvest as reserve. Not for food, but it has been a source of income for the wedding of... Central to their social and spiritual life Mauritania, and celebrate their cultural and! Their father go back to the 14th century hours for the couple along the path that leads up to Islamic! Also raised, not for food, but it has been a source of income for the.... 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