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Friday, May 20, 2016

Wolof

Introduction
The Wolof live in Senegal, Gambia, and Mauritania.  They speak their own language.  Most of them are Sufi and Sunni Muslims.  They lived in the Sahara when it was fertile.  They had their own kingdom and empire in the 1300s.  Akon is Wolof.
History
The Wolof may simply be a mixture of the Mandinka, Serer, and Fulani.  The Jolof kingdom came into being around 1350.  It was started by a Berber prince and a Fula princess.  For 200 years the Wolof kingdom paid tribute to a Serer kingdom.  The various Wolof kingdoms fought each other and the Moors.
Language
Wolof is a West Atlantic language.  West Atlantic languages are part of the Niger-Congo family.  Wolof is related to Serer and Fula languages.  Wolof is very popular in Senegal.  Wolof has similarities to Metu Neter (the language of ancient Egyptians).
Music
The Wolof learned a lot about music from the Serer.  The groits and blacksmiths perform music at festivals. They have several musical instruments.  They are Xalam, saber drums, talking drum, harp and many other. They have their own dance moves.  They are great at sculpting, painting, and make sweet threads.
Customs
Most Wolof men are monogamous, but many of them are polygamous.  Marriage is based on their caste system.  They are patrilineal; inheritance comes from the father.  They have a rite of passage and a naming ceremony.    
Conclusion
They are a great people!!!!!  They have their own language and customs. They have a rich history.  They are very musical, rhythmic, and artsy like most Africans.  I think they should develop a class system or their caste system should be less rigid.
References
http://www.encyclopedia.com/topic/Wolof.aspx
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wolof_music
http://www.everyculture.com/wc/Rwanda-to-Syria/Wolof.html
http://wolofresources.org/newwolof.htm

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