Serer-Noon
The Serer-Noon (sometimes spelt "Non" or "None") are an ethnic people who occupy western Senegal. They are part of the Serer people, though they do not speak the Serer language natively.
Territory
They are found primarily in Senegal in the region of Thies in areas like Fandène, Peykouk, Silman, Diankhène and Dioung.[1] As well as being present in Sengal, they are also found in The Gambia.
The Serer-Noon are mostly farmers who grow millet, peanuts, cotton etc.
Population
In the Thies area alone, their population 32,900.[2] However, the Serer people as a whole represent the third largest ethnic group in Senegal.[3]
In his Sketches of Senegal (1853), Abbé Boilat described them as "the most beautiful black people... tall and beautiful posture... who are always well dressed, very strong and independent"[4]
History
The Serer people to which they belong the are the oldest inhabitants of Senegambia along with the Jola people. Their ancestors were dispersed throughout the Senegambian Region and it was them who built the megaliths of Senegambia.[5][6]
Language
They speak Serer-Noon, which is one of the Cangin languages rather than a dialect of Serer. It is closely related to the Serer-Safene and Serer-Lehar, whereas Serer proper is closer to Fulani.[7]
Religion
Main article:
Serer religion
They practice the Serer Religion which involves honouring the ancestors covering all dimensions of life, death, cosmology etc.[8][9]
See also
Related peoples
Other Ethnic Groups
Serer Kingdoms
Serer Demographics
Presidents of Senegal
Notes
- ^ Ousmane Sémou Ndiaye. Diversite et Unicite Sereres: L’exemple de la Region de Thies.Ethiopiques n°54 revue semestrielle de culture négro-africaine Nouvelle série volume 7 2e semestre 1991
- ^ Lewis, M. Paul (ed.), 2009. Ethnologue: Languages of the World, Sixteenth edition. Dallas, Tex.: SIL International. Ethnologue.com. Languages of the world. A language of Senegal. 2007 figures
- ^ Agence Nationale de la Statistique et de la Démographie
- ^ Abbé Boilat, Esquisses Sénégalaises, Paris, Karthala, 1984, p.59.
- ^ Henry Gravrand. La Civilisation Sereer - Pangool.Published by Les Nouvelles Editions Africaines du Senegal. 1990. Page 77 ISBN 2-7236-1055-1
- ^ Gambian Studies No. 17. “People of The Gambia. I. The Wolof.” By David P. Gamble & Linda K. Salmon with Alhaji Hassan Njie. San Francisco 1985
- ^ Guillaume Serere & Florian Lionnet 2010. "'Isolates' in 'Atlantic'". Language Isolates in Africa workshop, Lyon, Dec. 4
- ^ Issa Laye Thiaw. "La Religiosite de Seereer, Avant et pendant leur Islamisation". Ethiopiques no: 54, Revue semestrielle de Culture Négro-Africaine. Nouvelle série, volume 7, 2e Semestre 1991
- ^ Henry Gravrand. La Civilisation Sereer - Pangool. Published by Les Nouvelles Editions Africaines du Senegal. 1990. Page 9. ISBN 2-7236-1055-1
Language Bibliography
English Language Bibliography
- (English) Senegambian Ethnic Groups: Common Origins and Cultural Affinities Factors and Forces of National Unity, Peace and Stability. By Alhaji Ebou Momar Taal. 2010
- (English) Gambian Studies No. 17. “People of The Gambia. I. The Wolof.” By David P. Gamble & Linda K. Salmon with Alhaji Hassan Njie. San Francisco 1985
- (English)Elisa Daggs. All Africa: All its political entities of independent or other status. Hasting House, 1970. ISBN 0803803362, 9780803803367