This aspect makes family a very important dimension in the economic wellbeing of the Wolof people. If the payment is made in full, the couple is considered legally divorced and may remarry without any problems (Gamble et al. Falola, Toyin; Salm, Steven J. Urbanization and African cultures. Southwestern Journal of Anthropology 11. This wedding tradition dates back to the origin of arranged marriages. Clearly, the family unit is a fundamental unit of the Wolof culture, and apart from being a building block for society, it defines the economic status of a man. Wolof dialects vary geographically and between rural and urban areas. Change). MONDAY MUSINGS: CUTTING THROUGH THE NOISE. They are also referred to as the Wollof, Jolof, Iolof, Whalof, Ialof, Olof, and Volof, among other spellings. Weve compiled a visual of 16 popular wedding traditions and their origins, so you can learn more about how these common customs came to be. Change), You are commenting using your Facebook account. [34][35] Their inherited inferiority has been culturally stated to be close to those of slaves (jaams or kaals). Governor Willie Obiano [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]. [8] In the 19th century, as the colonial French forces launched a war against the Wolof kingdoms, the Wolof people resisted the French and converted to Islam. 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. Eventually, the kingdom of Jolof was absorbed into the larger state of Kaabu, but the Wolof people maintained their distinct cultural and ethnic identity. Their total population exceeds 6 million in the three countries. Although their root is obscure, the Wolof people are believed to have originated from Ghana Empire, which was one of the largest and most powerful empires in West Africa. as a people are largely Muslim and they practice Islam as religion. Change), You are commenting using your Twitter account. 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). Anambra state 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. CBN During Victorian times, a pageboy was responsible for carrying a brides train down the aisle along with a prayer book. It's a Small size geocache, with difficulty of 1, terrain of 1.5. Japanese brides are decorated in white from head to toe, with white paint masking their faces to convey their utmost virtue and innocence. Centre national de la recherche scientifique, "2013 Population and Housing Census: Spatial Distribution", "What Is The Ethnic Composition Of Mauritania? You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you Agorsah, Koffi. * By using this form you agree with the storage and handling of your data by this website. Muhammadu Buhari Print. Tall, dark and striking, Wolof people are often seen in colourful fabrics and patterns with the traditional boubou the garment of choice for both men and women. Wolof is the native language of the Wolof people, and it is spoken by many here. "The Marriage Traditions of Wolof Culture." Traditional marriage in Wolof culture is such a unique one where the maternal influence play a major role. people are found in North Eastern part of Senegal, Mauritania, and Gambia. The term Wolof also refers to the Wolof language and to their states, cultures, and traditions. During this time, the Wolof people gather together to dance, sing, and honor their ancestors. Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in: You are commenting using your WordPress.com account. Over time the sheaths of wheat have been replaced with flowers that are scattered along the path that leads up to the altar. Some villages in contemporary times share agricultural machinery and sell the peanut harvest as a cooperative. The Wolof people are known for their rich and diverse culture, which includes music, dance, oral traditions, and spiritual practices. November 28, 2019. https://ivypanda.com/essays/the-marriage-traditions-of-wolof-culture/. Marriage in the Maasai tribe involves a lengthy process of courtship. . Agreements would then be made on how much further payments (marriage money) needed to be made and when the time for its payment came, other gifts were also given to the brides mother, father and peers. 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). If you select 'Yes' we can let you know how you can make a difference. Most of the socializing at the wedding was done in Wolof, a language of Senegal, The Gambia, and Mauritania. Web. The bride parents consult with their daughter and together they consent to or reject this proposal. Music 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. [42][43], A single compound may have multiple huts, with a patrilocal male as its head, with a different wife and her children in each hut in polygynous households. 4 (1955): 391-403. A group of griot drummers. Gunmen 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 . At such a point, the boy was expected to furnish the girl and her mother with gifts to win their affection (Gamble et al. A mysterious person arose from the lake to settle the dispute. Wolof originated as the language of the Lebu people. Once married, a newlywed couple would drink mead, an alcoholic beverage made of honey, a tradition that would take place during their first moon of marriage. Millet has been the typical staple, while rice a secondary staple when rains are plenty. 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. Scholars have thus carried out studies to document the ways of almost all cultural groupings across the world for posterity. The While only ever consolidated into a single state structure for part of this time, the tradition of governance, caste, and culture of the Wolof dominate the history of north-central Senegal for much of the last 800 years. Marry me in Africa: African Foundations, Bloomington: AuthorHouse, 2012. Tinubu This will be accomplished right after colorful traditional wedding ceremony rituals meant in order to free wedding ceremony associated with evil create this fruitful and effective. According to David Gamble, the historical evidence suggests Wolofs used to live in large settlements priors to the jihad wars and slave raids. pdp Marriage between specific two groups is going to be generally not permitted. In and after the 18th century, the Wolof were impacted by the violent jihads in West Africa, which triggered internal disagreements about Islam among the Wolof. Melching, Molly. This research paper on The Marriage Traditions of Wolof Culture was written and submitted by your fellow Culture defines peoples lifestyles and it sets the platform upon which people can relate with other cultural groupings in a given place. 31). The chief has been the tribute (tax) collector and the interface between the kingdom officials and the villagers. Wolof's independence can be seen in the succession of their first king or burba, the semi-legendary Ndiadiane N'diaye, traditionally placed in the 13th century CE but more likely to have been in the second half of the 14th century CE. Melching, Molly. The cultures of the different ethnic groupings have been a subject of research for a long time. [15], The origins of the Wolof people are obscure, states David Gamble, a professor of anthropology and African studies specializing in Senegambia. Cassava is also grown, but it has been a source of income for the Wolof farmers. 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. Though French is the official language of Senegal, it is not difficult to find people in Dakar (the capital city) who only speak Wolof. 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. Griots are West African storytellers and musicians who tend to show up (uninvited) to big events like weddings to try to make some money. 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 Marriage Traditions of Wolof Culture. Your privacy is extremely important to us. 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. 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. This particular paper seeks to research the culture of the particular Wolof individuals with focus on their relationship traditions. The typical marriage age for the Wolof was the early twenties for boys and late teens for girls (Gamble et al. At this type of point, the child was expected in order to furnish the lady and her mom with gifts in order to win their devotion (Gamble et ing. Queen Victoria's wedding cake weighed a whopping 300 pounds. This specific observation implies that in home with numerous spouses, the individual takes the specific credit score for that particular prosperity which goes to any or all their own wives. Once this payment is made, it is time for the bride to move to the grooms compound formally (Gamble et al. Covid-19 [43], A village is headed by a chief, called the borom dekk. A young boy was seen on an ever busy highway in Shanghai. This is because if he didnt like her looks, there was a chance that he might not agree to marry her. A Zulu bride will change her outfit at least three different times to convey to her in laws her beauty in different styles and colors. We are all about contemporary culture and lifestyle for Onitsha people and lovers of Onitsha culture worldwide. [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. 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 Sufi leaders and marabouts exercise cultural and political influence amongst most Muslim communities, most notably the leader of the Muridiyya also called the Mouride brotherhood. 31). Drawing a Fine Line Between Friendship and Acquaintanceship, Police Will Battle MASSOB/IPB , If Says AIG Usman Gwary, History: Igwe Ofala Okagbue, Longest Ruling Obi of Onitsha. 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. Multiple marriages have been common, with many Wolof households featuring two wives. [39] She places the development and spread of castes in these societies to about the 10th century, because slave capture, slave trade, and slave holding by elite families across the Sahel, West Africa, and North Africa was an established institution by then, and slavery created a template for servile relationships and social stratification. lagos 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. 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. Linguistic Taboo in African Marriage Context: A Study of the Oromo Laguu. Nordic Journal of African Studies 11.2 (2002): 224-235. 32). 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. 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. 32). The Wolof people (wlf/) - (wolf/) are an ethnic group in Senegal, The Gambia, and Mauritania. Print. Publishing. Religious and political functions have been the domain of men, while women typically keep the household, bring water from their sources such as wells or nearby rivers. delta state 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). 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. Roter Wedding (GC3D529) was created by sashito on 2/22/2012. 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. Wolof ceremonial traditions Ceremonies such as weddings, funerals, and baptisms, while not unique, have traditional elements distinctive to the Wolof. 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. via Matix In Senegal, the Wolof are the largest tribe in the country. They are to be found in fairly large numbers in the areas of Jokadu, Baddibu, Saloum and Niumi but the vast majority are to be found in Senegal. Marriage Traditions of Wolof People The institution of marriage is an intrinsic part of the Wolof culture. Since the colonial era, peanuts have been the primary cash crop. One longstanding wedding tradition revolves around a bride's attire. 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. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. Under such marriage arrangements, the bride and the groom did not have much of an influence over what happens. PDF file. Under such marriage arrangements, the bride and the groom did not have much of an influence over what happens. Print. [43][45] Dowery among the Wolof people is paid in the form of a brideprice. The Wolof people are found in North-Eastern part of Senegal, Mauritania, and Gambia. 28 November. "Wolof" is the name by which the people refer to themselves, and it is also the name of their indigenous language. 3. The bridesmaids would each wear the same dress as the bride in order to confuse the evil spirits and prevent them from finding her. (LogOut/ It defines their perception of how the world should be inhabited. [7][8] The Wolof belonged to the medieval-era Wolof Empire of the Senegambia region. This trend was the norm in the rural settings, but there have been adjustments where young people residing in towns marry at later ages. Also known as a bridal registry, it was a way for the couple to choose their fine china and silver for their big day. Nordic Journal related to African Studies 11. More and more, couples are opting to include specific cultural traditions on their wedding day, and 43% of couples say that they are including at least one or a few meaningful cultural . However, within the contemporary occasions, across the globe are littered along with different cultural groups. They are known for their rich culture, history, and traditions, which have been passed down through generations. [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. 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. 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. By: Obi of Onitsha anambra As will certainly be expected associated with some other lady worldwide, Wolof ladies show envy in the direction of their co-wives plus rivalry amongst co-wives is really a frequent see. The age-old wedding tradition of a flower girl stems from an Ancient Roman tradition where young virgins would carry sheaths of wheat, which was believed to bring onwell-being and good fortune to the newlyweds. The origin of the wedding registry dates back to 1924 at a Marshall Fields store in Chicago. 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. This trend was your norm within the countryside settings, but there has been adjustments where young adults residing in cities marry at later on ages. 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. Their religious beliefs centered around the worship of . 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. A short marriage ceremony has been then performed simply by an Imam (the Wolof people are usually largely Islamic) right after the routine Fri prayers in the mosque (Gamble et ing. 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