Wolof ceremonies

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The Wolof forms an ethnic plurality with about 40% of the Senegalese population self-identifying as Wolof. The Wolof is the majority in the region stretching from St-Louis in the north, Kaolack in the south, and Dakar in the west. However the Wolof people’s ceremonies and practices differ that of the other ethnic groups. Ceremonies such as weddings, funerals, and baptism are example of such differences. The result of my interview and internet research indicates how the Wolof ceremonies are performed.

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[edit] Wedding ceremony

The Wolof wedding ceremony is unique. Priory to other wedding however, certain obligations must be met. The parents of the groom-to-be send elders to the girl’s parents with kola nuts and money to ask for her hand in marriage. The girl’s parents consult their daughter to know her stance on the request before either giving their consent or rejecting the groom’s proposal.[1]. If the answer is positive, the parents of the bride to be distribute the kola nuts among the family and neighbours. The distribution is an informal way of announcing the impending wedding. In ancient days, the groom to be’s family paid the girl’s bride price in the form of money. This method however, has been modernized and it ranges from money, cars to houses. After the completion of the groom’s obligations, the two families set a wedding day.

Before the wedding day, the groom’s family does a small party. The goal of the party is to show how much they love their daughter and to prepare her to live with her family in law. After the girls finish their party, the imam and elders advice the groom with the presence of the some represents of the bride’s parents. The girl must go with her aunts, friends, and her mother’s friends after the imam and the elders finish pray and advice.

At the suitor house, parents will be ready for the whole day to receive the guests. They must prepare nice food and a lot of drink but not alcohol. The guests will bring much different kind of gifts. The gifts must an amount of money, rice, drinks, ships, sugar, spices, depending on what be helpful for the occasion for the groom. This ceremony will last only one day among the Wolof. The bride wears nice and especial cloths. People feast and dance with drums and other instruments. The guests are supposed to give money to the griot and to the groom’s parents. The girl brings utensils for cooking which she buys by the money for the bride price. It is very interesting to attend Wolof weddings, I personally appreciate it.

[edit] Baptism

A second ceremony among the Wolof is the baptism; it is also called the naming ceremony. After a baby is born, the parents will tell to their relatives, friend and neighbors. A week after the baby born, the father organize a ceremony to celebrate the birth and give a name to his son or daughter. The father normally decides or discusses with his wife what name should have his baby. The ceremony generally starts around 10:00 in the morning. The imam must whisper in to the baby’s ear the name the parents have chosen then the griot says it aloud in order the other can hear.[2]. After the name is given, a sheep is to be slaughtered. A sister of the father’s baby must shave or cut some of the hair of the baby born. Then, someone offers kola nuts, cakes or else to the guest.

There is special food for the morning. This food is called “bouillie” or gruel, it served with milk.[3]. After the naming, the mother is bringing to do her hair. They all fest and dance all the day then the after they eat and drink. In the evening, around 9:00 am after a nice small party, everybody go home to let the family take rest. A week after the baptism, the aunt shaves completely the baby’s hair.

[edit] Funeral Ceremony

The third one is the funeral. Generally, when someone dies women’s shout inform everybody in the area. Everybody come one by one to the compound of the dead person. Before the burial, the corpse will take a purity bath and some other necessities. Ba (1981) says “then seven meters of white muslin, the only clothing Islam allows for the dead, are carefully placed in a new basket. The Zem-Zem, the miracle water from the holy places of Islam religiously kept by each family, is not forgotten.” (p .3).

After the body is washed and clothed with the white shroud, it will be brought to the mosque for prayers then the men take it for the burial. Once at home, everybody gather to listen to the imam. [4]. A very sad atmosphere will go over the house, everybody will know that someone is dead there. Ba (1981) explains “comforting words from the Koran fill the air; divine words, divine instructions, impressive promises of punishment or joy, exhortations to virtue, warnings against evil, exaltation of humility, of faith” (p. 5[4]

People come to do their condolences and throw money to a mat in the court. The widow(s) sit in the courtyard to receive condolences. The mourning period for a widow in Islam is four months and ten days. During this period, the widow is not supposed to leave the compound and dress fashionably. The widow must not be married until the end of the mourning period. But if the widow is pregnant, the mourning period will last until she delivers.

One week or more after the funeral celebration, the mirass will be done. The entire fortune of the dead person is gathered. Each of his or her children will have his or her own share. Moreover, everybody does not have en equal share. In the islam, boys should have more than the girls.

In conclusion, ceremonies among the Wolof do not take too much times unless the funerals. The funeral ceremonies can last two or more days, it depends on the financial situation or the tarikha which the family follows. Unless the funerals these ceremonies are occasions of happiness. People spend a lot of money in order to make their guest and relatives happy.

[edit] References

  1. ^ People and culture of senegal. (2007).Africaguide.Retrieved May 30, 2007 from http://africaguide.com/country/senegal/culture.htm
  2. ^ Gambian life style (2006). bridging the gap. Retrieved from october 06,2007 http://www.ukgambians.com
  3. ^ Assietou. (1938)
  4. ^ a b Mariama Ba (1980). So Long Letter.