Introduction:
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. 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.
The Wolof are primarily engaged in the occupations of
business people, traders or farmers. Most people in
the urban areas of Greater Banjul
and the Kombos have adopted the Wolof language as the
Lingua Franca.
The men and in particular the women tend to dress
flamboyantly with plenty of gold jewellery (budget allowing)
especially at special occasions. They are renowned drummers
(sabarr) and dancers such as the Zimba
dance and modern Mbalax
(Ndaga) music such as
that played by their most famous son Youssou N'Dur of
Senegal.
Traditional Social Structure:
The tribe has traditionally had a rigid social caste
structure though it has become slightly less so in the
modern age as education and wealth have become increasingly
important as a status symbol. Your status did not change
throughout your life irrespective of any change in occupation.
There are 4 basic classes: Royal, Noblemen, Free-born
and 'Slaves' with further sub-divisions in each caste
and marriage is strictly within each group. The common
or freemen are known as Gorr or Jambur and the peasantry
were termed Badola. The lower social group were divided
into occupations i.e. Black Smiths, Gold Smiths known
as Tega, those who worked with leather are know as Ude,
griot-like praise singers
known as Gewel and finally the 'slaves' known as Jam.
The Gewel held a valued position in society as an oral
historian and entertainer. There job was to praise their
master in public while reciting his family lineage,
advise his master on his family traditions and generally
provide entertainment for visitors.
Though the metal workers were of low status they had
traditionally been held in high regard a they made weapons
of war such as spears and knives as well as agricultural
tools. They were often used as go-betweens between quarrelsome
Wolof states.
The slaves were of 2 types. Household slaves who often
stayed with the same family
for many generations and were seen as nominal members
of the family and those caught in war who were less
well treated and were treated as personal property to
be bought or sold.
Political Structure:
Each state of the old Jolof Empire was almost free from
central government control but they did cooperate with
Burba Jollof (ultimate ruler of the empire) on issues
of mutual interest such as trade, state defences and
payment of royal taxes. The line of succession for such
local leaders was through the male descendants of the
original state founders after a casting of ballots from
members of the nobility. |
