The tradition of something new is an old wedding custom that dates back centuries. 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!! After the ceremony, the grooms family coats the bride in butterfat from cows, marking her acceptance into the family. 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. The Economic Base of Wolof Polygamy. Southwestern Journal of Anthropology 11.4 (1955): 391-403. InlandTown Web. The first bridal bouquet was made out of aromatic bunches of herbs, garlic, and grains, which were ingredients that were believed to have the power of driving away evil spirits. By signing you agree to ONE's privacy policy, including to the transfer of your information to ONE.org's servers in the United States. [8] This system together with the teachings before and after the wedding ensures that women place their husbands first and obey them completely. [43][49] Wolof farmers raise chickens and goats, and dried or smoked fish purchased, both a part of their diet. 8. Rural Wolof people eat beef rarely, typically as a part of a ceremonial feast. 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. [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. They are also referred to as the Wollof, Jolof, Iolof, Whalof, Ialof, Olof, and Volof, among other spellings. inec Also known as a bridal registry, it was a way for the couple to choose their fine china and silver for their big day. 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. 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. This would be accomplished after colorful traditional wedding rituals meant to free the marriage of evil and make it fruitful and successful. Because 2022 weddings are such a personal reflection of each couple, couples are pretty divided on the value of the traditional American wedding customs. 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. If you select 'Yes' we can let you know how you can make a difference. 41. griot, Mande jeli or jali, Wolof gewel, West African troubadour-historian.The griot profession is hereditary and has long been a part of West African culture.The griots' role has traditionally been to preserve the genealogies, historical narratives, and oral traditions of their people; praise songs are also part of the griot's repertoire.Many griots play the kora, a long-necked harp lute . Women also plant, weed, harvest crops and collect firewood. 31). 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 is because if he didnt like her looks, there was a chance that he might not agree to marry her. 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. 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 are a large ethnic group with a population of several million. Griots are West African storytellers and musicians who tend to show up (uninvited) to big events like weddings to try to make some money. Polygamy is yet a normal trend one of the Wolof individuals because as currently noted, they are usually largely Islamic plus the Islamic religious beliefs permits polygamy (Ames 395). [25] The assaults of the 18th and 19th century jihads, states Lapidus, paved the way for massive conversions to Islam, yet not a nearly universal conversion. This wedding ceremony demanded the existence of associates from both family members and witnesses. 32). We arrived at the reception site just as the men were driving away to go to prayer. Something old represents continuity. Characteristics Of The Wolof People. Though I wasnt at the ceremony itself, it was a great place to absorb a good dose of Senegalese culture. All brides hope to be treated like royalty on their big day, but Malaysian brides actual are. 31). as a people are largely Muslim and they practice Islam as religion. Globacom (2019) 'The Marriage Traditions of Wolof Culture'. The cultures of the different ethnic groupings have been a subject of research for a long time. [8], According to David Gamble, the pre-Islamic beliefs of Wolof may be reflected and absorbed in the Sufi beliefs about good and bad spirits (jinn), amulets, dances, and other rituals. "The Marriage Traditions of Wolof Culture." 32). 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][44], Marriages are endogamous. Wolof Tribe: An Exploration Of Their Culture And Tradition. Nigeria Wolof (/wlf/) is a language of Senegal, the Gambia, and Mauritania, and the native language of the Wolof people. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply, Are you sure? people are found in North Eastern part of Senegal, Mauritania, and Gambia. 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 mothers brother. 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). Part of the German wedding ceremony involves guests smashing old plates in order to ward off evil spirits. Print. [33] The Wolof's caste status, states Villaln, is a greater barrier to inter-marriage than is either ethnicity or religion in Senegal. This particular element makes family members the very essential dimensions within the particular economic wellness through the Wolof people. Their religious beliefs centered around the worship of . [42], Wolof villages consist of a cluster of compounds. Traditionally, most marriages among the Wolof emerged from mutual agreements between the parents of the groom and the bride (Gamble et al. The placement of the ring on the fourth finger came from the Egyptians who believed that it was the finger that contained the vein that connects to the heart. [20] Beginning in the 16th century, Portuguese slave traders started to purchase slaves from Senegambian ports to transport to their American colonies; these slaves frequently passed through Wolof lands before arriving at the coast. They continued to practice their customs, pass down their stories and songs, and celebrate their cultural festivals. Ames, David. All rights reserved. In traditional Wolof wedding ceremonies in Senegal, the parents of the husband-to-be sends elders to the bride parents with money and kola nuts to ask for her hand in marriage. The arrival of European colonizers in the late 19th and early 20th centuries had a profound impact on the Wolof people and their kingdom. If successful, theyd enjoy a lifetime of good fortune as a couple. Cassava is also grown, but it has been a source of income for the Wolof farmers. [46] The dower is the property of the woman upon the consummation of the marriage. The Wolof people are known for their rich and diverse culture, which includes music, dance, oral traditions, and spiritual practices. 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. [40][41], The Wolof are primarily rural (~75%), living in small villages. 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. If the payment is made in full, the couple is considered legally divorced and may remarry without any problems (Gamble et al. Learn how your comment data is processed. Something New. 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. The Wolof people's traditional culture and practices have survived the colonial era and are a strong element of the Senegalese culture. While slavery is illegal in contemporary African societies, it was common in the history of Wolof people and among the elite castes. Although it allowed for a young man to marry a paternal aunts daughter. This trend was the norm in the rural settings, but there have been adjustments where young people residing in towns marry at later ages. Although this scenario has slightly changed with time, this practice is still prevalent in rural areas albeit with some minor adjustments. This favors the idea that such measures provided the best and most stable marriages. However, in the contemporary times, different parts of the world are littered with different cultural groupings. anambra citizens 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. The Wolof culture is one of most affected cultures by Western influence in comparison to other cultures in the region (Diop 101). The bridesmaids would each wear the same dress as the bride in order to confuse the evil spirits and prevent them from finding her. The grooms main warrior companion would be the equivalent of the best man at a wedding. 31). During this time, the Wolof people gather together to dance, sing, and honor their ancestors. Unlike most other languages of Sub-Saharan Africa, Wolof is not a tonal language. Similarly, a West African rice dish is known in English as Jollof rice. IPOB Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in: You are commenting using your WordPress.com account. 31). If the girls family accepted the kola nuts, that was an indicator that they granted the groom permission to court their daughter. Their history and cultural traditions date back thousands of years, making them one of the most fascinating and vibrant tribes in West Africa. In addition to religion as a causal factor for polygamy, the traditional Wolof culture considered many wives as a sign of wealth and consequently, a source of pride and prestige; consequently, about 45% of Wolof men are polygamous (Ames 396). Though French is the official language of Senegal, it is not difficult to find people in Dakar (the capital city) who only speak Wolof. Apga 28 November. You agree to receive occasional updates about ONE's campaigns. [19], Slavery had been a part of the Wolof culture since their earliest recorded history. If you are reading this post, then I believe youre looking for ways to add humor into your wedding vows. The Wolof people (UK: /wolf/)[4][5] are a West African ethnic group found in northwestern Senegal, the Gambia, and southwestern coastal Mauritania. The database is updated daily, so anyone can easily find a relevant essay example. Together with religious beliefs as an identifying factor for polygamy, the conventional Wolof tradition viewed as many spouses just like a sign associated with prosperity and consequently, one of satisfaction plus prestige; as a result, regarding 45% associated with Wolof lots of men polygamous (Ames 396). . "Dakar-Wolof," for instance, is an urban mixture of Wolof, French, and Arabic. If you are the copyright owner of this paper and no longer wish to have your work published on IvyPanda. 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). 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. Like circles, diamonds have long been considered as symbols of eternity because they are the hardest gems on earth. Ndnk-ndnk: An introduction to Wolof culture, Dakar: Peace Corps, 1981. 3. Once it had been made the decision that his personality was good, additional gifts will be offered towards the girls family members to seal the covenant that remaining the child because the sole suitor. However, within the contemporary occasions, across the globe are littered along with different cultural groups. The male sheep is slaughtered and its fat is used to decorate the brides wedding dress and applied to her head. 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). Japanese brides are decorated in white from head to toe, with white paint masking their faces to convey their utmost virtue and innocence. President Muhammadu Buhari The Wolof society is divided into castes, which entail nobles and slaves among several others. 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). 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. 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. (LogOut/ Change), You are commenting using your Twitter account. A young boy was seen on an ever busy highway in Shanghai. Marriage between the two groups is generally not permissible. Southern folklore says that to prevent rain on your big day, you should bury the beverage upside down at the wedding site one month before and dig it up after the ceremony to enjoy. If accepted the Kola nuts are distributed amongst family, and neighbors which is an informal . 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". Whether youre planning your wedding ceremony and reception, attending one soon, or just want to learn more about the history of marriage, youre sure to be surprised by how much these wedding traditions have changed since theyve originated! 32). [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. [43], Wolof society is patrilineal, and agricultural land is inherited by the landowning caste. Gunmen 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. Create a free website or blog at WordPress.com. Onitsha 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. Like the neighbouring languages Serer and Fula, it belongs to the Senegambian branch of the NigerCongo language family. 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. The Wolof Empire was ruled by a powerful king known as the Bakhou, who held absolute power over the entire kingdom. Carolina Academic Press, 2005. The Wolof constitute a large ethnic group inhabiting the West African country of Senegal, a former French colony, and Gambia, a former British colony. Multiple marriages have been common, with many Wolof households featuring two wives. A group of griot drummers. 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. The wedding tradition of tying cans to the bumper of the wedding car comes from the French custom of throwing acharivari for the couple. However, these slave raids eventually began to subside as European and American governments progressively outlawed their nations' involvement in the slave trade. 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. [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. Back then, it was customary for a bride to toss her garter to a crowd of men at the wedding party. [43][50], Occupation is traditionally based on gender and inherited caste. 32). Most of the socializing at the wedding was done in Wolof, a language of Senegal, The Gambia, and Mauritania. Traditional marriage in Wolof culture is such a unique one where the maternal influence play a major role. Weddings can be very elaborate, involving feasting and dancing for days within a community, they can be very simple, or they can even be performed in huge marriage ceremonies involving many different couples. Music The Wolof people are found in North-Eastern part of Senegal, Mauritania, and Gambia. 2019. . inland town [20] However, the social distinctions between free-born Wolof and slaves remained present during the period of colonial rule, continuing even after the decolonization of Africa in the mid-20th century, which saw the Wolof become independent from European colonial rule.[20]. Buhari The Wolof people (wlf/) - (wolf/) are an ethnic group in Senegal, The Gambia, and Mauritania. 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