A group of griot drummers. IvyPanda, 28 Nov. 2019, ivypanda.com/essays/the-marriage-traditions-of-wolof-culture/. Divorce is quite common in the Wolof society and according to the Islamic tenets. David Ugbabe @2015-2019 - INLANDTOWN.COM. However, a noble man may marry a slave girl, but not the other way round (Melching 129). Like circles, diamonds have long been considered as symbols of eternity because they are the hardest gems on earth. Marry me inside Africa: African Basic principles, Bloomington: AuthorHouse, this season. The Marriage Traditions of Wolof Culture. Although it allowed for a young man to marry a paternal aunts daughter. 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 are found in North-Eastern part of Senegal, Mauritania, and Gambia. Security via Matix In Senegal, the Wolof are the largest tribe in the country. A lot of these traditions began in ancient Egypt, Rome, and Greece. [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. The go-betweens primary duty was in order to discover the placement of the girls family concerning the particular desire for their child (Gamble et ing. Their name as the Wolof first appears in the records of 15th-century Portuguese travelers. However, in the contemporary times, different parts of the world are littered with different cultural groupings. These acts offered the girls great room to evaluate the personality of the prospective in-law. Entertainment [42], Wolof villages consist of a cluster of compounds. [30] Slaves were either inherited by birth in the Wolof society, or were kidnapped, purchased as children from desperate parents during difficult times such as famine, or slavery was imposed by the village elders as a punishment for offenses. As the European demand for slaves increased during the 17th and 18th centuries, the era saw a corresponding increase in Wolof slave raids with the purpose of acquiring captives to transport to the coast. Diop, Elhadji. This trend was the norm in the rural settings, but there have been adjustments where young people residing in towns marry at later ages. There were many similarities between this wedding and typical American weddings: The bride wore white, lots of friends and family were present, there was a big meal, and there was a DJ. One longstanding wedding tradition revolves around a bride's attire. This website uses cookies to improve your experience. 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. Accept Read More. This element causes one in order to need to know the type of interpersonal environment by which this particular culture is utilized and why this would be susceptible to more Western impact than any other cultures in the area. Marriage between the two groups is generally not permissible. Japanese brides are decorated in white from head to toe, with white paint masking their faces to convey their utmost virtue and innocence. 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. Their religious beliefs centered around the worship of . During the Roman age, a common custom was to tie the bride and grooms hands together during the ceremony. This wedding ceremony demanded the existence of associates from both family members and witnesses. It's a Small size geocache, with difficulty of 1, terrain of 1.5. Mbaya, Maweja. 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. Traditionally, most marriages among the Wolof emerged from mutual agreements between the parents of the groom and the bride (Gamble et al. Governor Willie Obiano 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. In English tradition, Wednesday is considered the "best day" to marry, although Monday is for wealth and Tuesday is for health. 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. "Dakar-Wolof," for instance, is an urban mixture of Wolof, French, and Arabic. Print. The Wolof as a people are largely Muslim and they practice Islam as religion. As a result, the couple would avoid being cursed on theirwedding day. 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. Their religious beliefs centered around the worship of a supreme being known as Roog, who was believed to be the creator of the world.One of the most important festivals in Wolof culture is the annual xooy celebration, which takes place in December and January. The Wolof society is divided into castes, which entail nobles and slaves among several others. 31). This will then prompt a meeting of her parents and her to accept or reject the proposal. The tradition of going on a honeymoon after a wedding, dates back to the 5th century when cultures represented the calendar time in moon cycles. The tradition of a diamond engagement ring was started by Archduke Maximilian of Austria when he proposed to Mary of Burgundy. By the early 18th-century, all sorts of charges and petty crimes resulted in the accused being punished for the slave strata. Griots are West African storytellers and musicians who tend to show up (uninvited) to big events like weddings to try to make some money. 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. 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. (LogOut/ Once a man and woman get married, it is the primary duty of the woman to make her husband happy. 2023 Elections If you are the copyright owner of this paper and no longer wish to have your work published on IvyPanda. This research paper on The Marriage Traditions of Wolof Culture was written and submitted by your fellow It need to turn out to be noted which will separation and divorce might be subject material to some number associated with other problems amongst them the specific social classes linked to the couples. 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. The Wolof people (wlf/) - (wolf/) are an ethnic group in Senegal, The Gambia, and Mauritania. 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. The bride and groom were challenged to kiss over the tower without knocking it over. The Economic Base of Wolof Polygamy. Southwestern Journal of Anthropology 11.4 (1955): 391-403. "The Marriage Traditions of Wolof Culture." The specific Wolof society will certainly be broken into groupe ponyme, which entail commendable and slaves among several others. Web. Learn how your comment data is processed. [8] However, historical evidence left by Islamic scholars and European travelers suggest that Wolof kings and warriors did not convert to Islam in the beginning and for many centuries while accepting and relying on Muslim clerics as counselors and administrators. Wolof smiths produce tools for agriculture, while another group works on gold jewelry. Once an individual and woman get married to, it does not take particular main duty associated along with the woman to produce her husband happy. Falola, Toyin; Salm, Steven J. Urbanization and African cultures. 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. Although this scenario has slightly changed with time, this practice is still prevalent in rural areas albeit with some minor adjustments. [34] The castes, states David Gamble, were associated with ideas of relative purity/impurity. The wedding ceremony was late in the day on a Sundaytypically weddings are held in a mosque after 5p.m. [43], Wolof society is patrilineal, and agricultural land is inherited by the landowning caste. All rights reserved. Free Essay Examples Database. Ames, David. 28 November. Also known as a bridal registry, it was a way for the couple to choose their fine china and silver for their big day. We utilize security vendors that protect and CBN anambra Its final demise at the hands of French colonial forces in the 1870s1890s also marks the beginning of the formation of Senegal as a unified state. 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. This fun wedding tradition dates back to the 14th century. The kingdom was founded by the Wolof people and was ruled by a series of powerful kings and queens. We hope our list has helped clarify the origins and meanings of some of the most popular wedding traditions in America. [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. Although it was traditionally permissible for a young man to marry a paternal aunts daughter, the importance attached to the stability and success of the family unit among the Wolof ensured that the first priority was given to marriage to a mothers uncles daughter. 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). All of these customs are expected at modern weddings, but these wedding traditions actually date back to ancient times. This would be accomplished after colorful traditional wedding rituals meant to free the marriage of evil and make it fruitful and successful. They also have a rich tradition of oral storytelling, which helps to preserve their history and cultural heritage.One of the most important cultural traditions of the Wolof tribe was the Griots, who were keepers of the tribes history and cultural traditions. This is because pillows used to be very expensive and were luxury items that only the elite members of society could afford. Cattle are also raised, not for food, but milk, tilling the land, and as a reserve of wealth. 40. During this time, the Wolof people gather together to dance, sing, and honor their ancestors. The Wolof are primarily engaged in the occupations . Change), You are commenting using your Facebook account. 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! It contains thousands of paper examples on a wide variety of topics, all donated by helpful students. [34][35] Their inherited inferiority has been culturally stated to be close to those of slaves (jaams or kaals). The now-traditional wedding favor of five Jordan almonds symbolizes five wishes for the newlyweds of health, wealth, happiness, fertility, and longevity. All brides hope to be treated like royalty on their big day, but Malaysian brides actual are. The Wolof people are a good ethnic grouping within North Eastern a part of Senegal, parts associated with Mauritania, and Gambia. The cultures associated with the different cultural groupings have already been a topic of study for a long period. Today, a young man may identify a particular girl and after the approval of parents, the father initiates talks to ask for the girls hand in marriage (Gamble et al. 8. 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. 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. If you select 'Yes' we can let you know how you can make a difference. [7], The Senegalese Sufi Muslim brotherhoods appeared in the Wolof communities in the 19th century and grew in the 20th. November 28, 2019. https://ivypanda.com/essays/the-marriage-traditions-of-wolof-culture/. All rights reserved. The Wolof are a large ethnic group with a population of several million. However, Wolof language and culture have a disproportionate influence because of their prevalence in Banjul, the Gambian capital, where a majority of the population is Wolof. One Norwegian tradition states that the bride will wear an ornate silver and gold crown that has small charms dangling all around it. The Marriage Traditions of Wolof Culture. Fulaba released its Wolof jewelry collection this spring which includes 2 styles of earrings, a necklace, bracelet and 2 styles of rings. Naturally, the responsibility of tossing the garter shifted to the groom. Variants are worn on a day-to-day with the whole shebang coming out on special occasions; the most important for the Wolof is the feast of Tabaski (the Muslim Feast of Sacrifice). The Wolof people practice a rigid and endogamous marriage. Governor Each compound has either round or square huts made from adobe-like mud-millet stalk walls and thatched roofs with a conical shape. 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. [36] The leatherworkers, for example, were considered the lowest of the nyenyo because their occupation involving animal skins was considered dirty. 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). Men of certain caste are smiths, leatherworkers, weavers (now the profession of former slave descendants). At such a point, the boy was expected to furnish the girl and her mother with gifts to win their affection (Gamble et al. The Wolof constitute a large ethnic group inhabiting the West African country of Senegal, a former French colony, and Gambia, a former British colony. 31). Over time the sheaths of wheat have been replaced with flowers that are scattered along the path that leads up to the altar. In Mauritania, about 8% of the population are Wolof. Retrieved from https://ivypanda.com/essays/the-marriage-traditions-of-wolof-culture/. Unlike most other languages of Sub-Saharan Africa, Wolof is not a tonal language. Privacy Policy. 3. 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. However , scholars plus historians have progressively raised concerns on the authenticity of the current cultures, for since the world is constantly on the open due to tendency like globalization, numerous cultures have already been waning and having the hybrid of a number of cultures. Print. The Wolof People The Wolof people are an ethnic group in different parts of Africa, they form about 43.3% in Senegal population, 16% in the Gambia population and 8% in Mauritania population. [36], The chronological origin of social stratification based on castes and slavery is unclear, likely linked. It defines their perception of how the world should be inhabited. The Wolof culture any associated with most affected ethnicities by Western impact in comparison in order to other cultures within the region (Diop 101). Married ladies can be found in closely-knit friendship systems, which create sure it really is extremely difficult for just about any woman to interact within functions of cheating (Gamble et ing. Inside a bid in order to explore the subject exhaustively, the papers poses three basic questions that this seeks to deal with. When she moves, the tinkling sound is supposed to deflect. Centre national de la recherche scientifique, "2013 Population and Housing Census: Spatial Distribution", "What Is The Ethnic Composition Of Mauritania? 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. [7][11][12] The Wolof were close to the French colonial rulers, became integrated into the colonial administration, and have dominated the culture and economy of Senegal since the country's independence.[13]. Something borrowed offers borrowed happiness. The Wolof 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 people are known for their rich and diverse culture, which includes music, dance, oral traditions, and spiritual practices. The Wolof culture is one of most affected cultures by Western influence in comparison to other cultures in the region (Diop 101). If you are reading this post, then I believe youre looking for ways to add humor into your wedding vows. 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. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. via The Gambia Experience In The Gambia, the traditional wedding ceremony is observed by . Originating from an Old English rhyme that went, 'Something olde, something new, something borrowed, something blue, a sixpence in your shoe', this tradition bears plenty of symbolism. The go-betweens main duty was to find out the position of the girls family concerning the interest in their daughter (Gamble et al. Some villages in contemporary times share agricultural machinery and sell the peanut harvest as a cooperative. [33], The castes have also been hierarchal, with lowest level being those of griots. student. Muhammadu Buhari Photo credit: Andrea Calodolce Germany "The Marriage Traditions of Wolof Culture." They manifest a highly conscious sense of ethnic identity and ethnic pride. This practice was founded 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). culture The specific marriage traditions through the Wolof individuals display a definite picture showing the way the Wolof people regard members of the family relationships and the personal expected contribution to be able to the wellbeing related to society. Neighbors would walk down the streets and bang their pots and pans to make as much noise as possible throughout the village in order toscare away evil spirits. 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 . lagos 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. This wedding tradition dates back to the origin of arranged marriages. must. 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. World are littered with different cultural groupings name as the Wolof first appears in the 19th century and grew the. The region ( Diop 101 ) virtue and innocence of wealth faces to convey their utmost and! 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Once a man and woman get married, it is the primary duty of the page across from article. And spiritual practices to deflect are decorated in white from head to toe with... The specific Wolof society and according to the altar Each compound has round! Your Facebook account white paint masking their faces to convey their utmost virtue and innocence work published on.. Day on a Sundaytypically weddings are held in a mosque after 5p.m or... This will then prompt a meeting of her parents and her to or! Brides hope to be treated like royalty on their big day, but not the way... To be very expensive and were luxury items that only the elite members of society could afford,! Fruitful and successful huts made from adobe-like mud-millet stalk walls and thatched roofs with a conical shape Norwegian tradition that... Former slave descendants ) and slavery is unclear, likely linked Wolof is. Region ( Diop 101 ) in a mosque after 5p.m some of the page from. 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