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. Onitsha 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. [34][35] Their inherited inferiority has been culturally stated to be close to those of slaves (jaams or kaals). [30][32] Caste status has been hereditary, and endogamy among the men and women of a particular caste status has been an enduring feature among the Wolof people, according to Leonardo Villaln, a professor of Political Science and African Studies. 31). The Marriage Traditions of Wolof Culture. [citation needed][17] According to Gamble, this migration likely occurred at the end of 11th century when the Ghana Empire fell to the Muslim armies from Sudan. Over time the sheaths of wheat have been replaced with flowers that are scattered along the path that leads up to the altar. Have you ever been a flower girl, a bridesmaid, or caught the bouquet at a friends wedding? This declaration means that towards the Wolof people, children is a good important unit, which usually forms a foundation with regard to other social models into that the Wolof society is structured. 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. [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]. 2019. 2023 Provide Commerce. We will write a custom Research Paper on The Marriage Traditions of Wolof Culture specifically for you for only $11.00 $9.35/page. Wedding cakes are one of the centerpieces of a wedding but Norwegian wedding cakes known as Kransekake, offer a unique take on the staple dish. Melching, Molly. In Nigeria, the Igbo bless the newlywed couple by throwing bank notes on them or rubbing their foreheads with banknotes, expressing the prosperous future they hope the couple shares. [37], The geer or "freeborn" too had a hierarchical structure. November 28, 2019. https://ivypanda.com/essays/the-marriage-traditions-of-wolof-culture/. A group of griot drummers. The Wolof people are a good ethnic grouping within North Eastern a part of Senegal, parts associated with Mauritania, and Gambia. The tradition of a wedding cake comes from ancient Rome, where revelers broke a loaf of bread over a bride's head for fertility's sake. Centre national de la recherche scientifique, "2013 Population and Housing Census: Spatial Distribution", "What Is The Ethnic Composition Of Mauritania? 31). 31). This assertion implies that to the Wolof people, a family is an important unit, which forms a building block for other social units into which the Wolof society is organized. Both have traditionally been hereditary castes. [23], In and after the 18th century, the Wolofs were impacted by the violent jihads in West Africa, which triggered internal disagreements among the Wolof on Islam. 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 bride parents consult with their daughter and together they consent to or reject this proposal. 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. All of these customs are expected at modern weddings, but these wedding traditions actually date back to ancient times. Because 2022 weddings are such a personal reflection of each couple, couples are pretty divided on the value of the traditional American wedding customs. This is a tradition thats referred to as handfasting, and is a common practice amongst various cultures around the world. Learn how your comment data is processed. Apga Traditionally, most marriages among the Wolof emerged from mutual agreements between the parents of the groom and the bride (Gamble et al. 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. Fulaba released its Wolof jewelry collection this spring which includes 2 styles of earrings, a necklace, bracelet and 2 styles of rings. [43][50], Occupation is traditionally based on gender and inherited caste. The Wolof people are known for their rich and diverse culture, which includes music, dance, oral traditions, and spiritual practices. PDF file. We waited several hours for the wedding party to return. Weddings The Wolof people (UK: /wolf/)[4][5] are a West African ethnic group found in northwestern Senegal, the Gambia, and southwestern coastal Mauritania. When the transaction is made within complete, the few will be regarded as legally single and could remarry with simply no problems (Gamble ainsi que al. This research paper on The Marriage Traditions of Wolof Culture was written and submitted by your fellow All rights reserved. Despite these factors, which should serve to strengthen marriages, divorce is part of the Wolof culture. You can unsubscribe at any time. Once a man and woman get married, it is the primary duty of the woman to make her husband happy. Unlike most other languages of Sub-Saharan Africa, Wolof is not a tonal language. [47] The slaves could not marry without the permission of their owner, and it was usually the responsibility of the slave owner to arrange the marriage of or among his slaves. FG The chief has been the tribute (tax) collector and the interface between the kingdom officials and the villagers. For instance, in Africa, there are hundreds of ethnic groupings each with its own culture. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. The kingdom was founded by the Wolof people and was ruled by a series of powerful kings and queens. The Wolof people are known for their rich and diverse culture, which includes music, dance, oral traditions, and spiritual practices. Marriage between the two groups is generally not permissible. These new colonial regimes moved to outlaw slavery, and by the 1890's the French authorities in West Africa had largely abolished the institution. If the girls family accepted the particular kola nuts, that will was an indication that they given the groom authorization to court their own daughter. 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). In Ancient Rome, the purpose of having bridesmaids at a wedding was to protect the bride. [8][24], In the late 19th century, as the French colonial forces launched a war against the Wolof kingdoms, the Wolof people resisted the French and triggered the start of near-universal conversion of the Wolof people in Senegambia to Islam. The Wolof peoplealso referred to as the Wollof,Jolof,Iolof,Whalof,Ialof,Olof, andVolof, among other spellings, are a West African ethnic group found primarily in Senegal, with smaller populations in Mauritania and The Gambia. During Malay weddings, traditions of the royal court are observed with Malay court music played during the ceremony. Print. Another important part of Wolof culture is their music, which is characterized by complex rhythms and intricate melodies. Prior to the arrival of Europeans to regions inhabited by the Wolof, slaves there were either born into slavery or enslaved via purchase or capture in warfare. During the Roman age, a common custom was to tie the bride and grooms hands together during the ceremony. It defines their perception of how the world should be inhabited. MONDAY MUSINGS: CUTTING THROUGH THE NOISE. 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. 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. The population of the world is constituted by an array of cultural groupings and ethnicities. Polygamy is also a normal phenomenon among the Wolof people because as already noted, they are largely Muslim and the Islam religion permits polygamy (Ames 395). 32). [43][49] Wolof farmers raise chickens and goats, and dried or smoked fish purchased, both a part of their diet. [21], The transatlantic slave trade also led to the Wolof acquiring European firearms, which were commonly bartered for slaves at the West African coast. Just in case a lady in some time seems that this girl relationship life will become unbearable, she might return in an attempt to the girl kin plus will certainly not return. [46] The dower is the property of the woman upon the consummation of the marriage. [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. You want to personalized your v As the name implies singles day is a day set aside for young people to celebrate their youthfulness and independence. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Marry me in Africa: African Foundations, Bloomington: AuthorHouse, 2012. [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. [6] They refer to themselves as Wolof and speak the Wolof language, in the West Atlantic branch of the NigerCongo family of languages. Millet has been the typical staple, while rice a secondary staple when rains are plenty. The go-between carried kola nuts from the particular grooms father throughout this important charge. This preference hinged on the idea that such arrangements provided the best and most stable marriages. [6][7] In the Gambia, about 16% of the population are Wolof. If the girls family accepted the kola nuts, that was an indicator that they granted the groom permission to court their daughter. Change), You are commenting using your Facebook account. 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. 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). 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. 2023 Elections The Wolof as a people are largely Muslim and they practice Islam as religion. After the ceremony, the grooms family coats the bride in butterfat from cows, marking her acceptance into the family. To form a stronger and stable family unit, the Wolof people believed that cross-cousin marriage (young man marrying a maternal uncles daughter) was the best form of marriage they are matrilineal in nature. Something old represents continuity. Most of the socializing at the wedding was done in Wolof, a language of Senegal, The Gambia, and Mauritania. via The Gambia Experience In The Gambia, the traditional wedding ceremony is observed by . 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. [7], The Senegalese Sufi Muslim brotherhoods appeared in the Wolof communities in the 19th century and grew in the 20th. Rural Wolof people eat beef rarely, typically as a part of a ceremonial feast. Mbaya, Maweja. [8] The complicated relationship had led to the emergence of Sufi traditions from a historic and dominant Sunni Islam environment. 8. The tradition of something new is an old wedding custom that dates back centuries. This system together with the teachings before and after the wedding ensures that women place their husbands first and obey them completely. [38][39] However, according to Susan McIntosh, a professor of anthropology specializing in African societies, the emergence of caste systems in West African societies such as the Wolof, Mande, Malinke, Serer, and Soninke was likely older. IvyPanda. The wedding party might then escape in order to the grooms substance. The queen and king of Wolof, an 1853 painting by David Boilat. Soon the idea spread across the country and was popularized in the retail industry to include wedding gifts for the couple. [24] The West African jihads that involved the Wolof and other ethnic groups started early and often inspired by militant reformers such as those of the 15th century. [36], The chronological origin of social stratification based on castes and slavery is unclear, likely linked. When she moves, the tinkling sound is supposed to deflect. Publishing. Here is a picture of a griot drumming groupthe man at the right is trying to get me to pay him some money for taking his picture. For the girls father, the young man was expected to assist in chores such as weeding and harvesting among other masculine endeavors. politics Thus, marriage soon became necessary as a way to ensure the survival of their offspring. Therefore, the practice of throwing rice at a wedding is symbolic ofshowering the couple with good fortune. Traditionally, on the morning following the brides first night, a blood stained cloth would be displayed to show that the bride was a virgin (Agorsah 80), which was a great source of pride that inspired praise-filled songs for the bride and her mother. as a people are largely Muslim and they practice Islam as religion. @2015-2019 - INLANDTOWN.COM. 2 (2002): 224-235. US Extends Visa Validity For Nigerians To Five Again, R. Kelly Sentenced To 20 Years In Legend Of Ikogosi Springs Where Warm Water Meets Afrobeats To The World: Burna Boy, Tems, Rema A Delve Into The Bagpipes As A Cultural Scottish Power Nigeria Limited: Foremost Pipers In Nigeria. The slaves could not marry without the permission of their owner, and it was usually the responsibility of the slave owner to arrange the marriage of or among his slaves. The Jolof or Wolof Empire was a medieval West African state that ruled parts of Senegal and the Gambia from approximately 1350 to 1890. [43][44], Marriages are endogamous. [15], The origins of the Wolof people are obscure, states David Gamble, a professor of anthropology and African studies specializing in Senegambia. Family members flank the happy couple clothed in blue traditional dress.] The now-traditional wedding favor of five Jordan almonds symbolizes five wishes for the newlyweds of health, wealth, happiness, fertility, and longevity. Ames, David. Once this transaction is made, it will be time for that bride-to-be to move towards the grooms compound officially (Gamble et ing. Like the neighbouring languages Serer and Fula, it belongs to the Senegambian branch of the NigerCongo language family. Agreements might then be produced upon how much additional payments (marriage money) needed to become made so when the particular time because of its transaction came, other presents were also provided to the brides mom, father and colleagues. Although this scenario has slightly changed with time, this practice is still prevalent in rural areas albeit with some minor adjustments. Celebrations of love look different all over the world, so in honor of Valentines Day we looked at the incredible traditions of 10 different countries. At the top were the royal rulers, below them were the regionally or locally dominant noble lineages who controlled territories and collected tribute, and below them were commoner freeborn called the baadoolo or "lacking power". It's located in Berlin, Germany.Dies ist mein erster Tradi, welcher dem einstigen Prunkstck des deutschen Kommunismus gewidmet ist - der Ksliner Strae. Governor One longstanding wedding tradition revolves around a bride's attire. This is because if he didnt like her looks, there was a chance that he might not agree to marry her. 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