INTRODUCTION

Senegal has more than 15 million inhabitants belonging to different

ethnic groups. The largest ethnic groups in Senegal are: the Wolofs ,
followed by the Lébous , then the Peuls, Toucouleurs , Séréres ,
Diolas, Mandingues and finally Bassaris . These peoples live in perfect
harmony today and it is more and more common to see inter-ethnic
marriages.
They have been able to preserve their traditions (their cultural heritage)
and some have sometimes chosen to stay in their regions of origin,
despite living conditions that are sometimes severely tested.
The Wolofs alone make up more than 42% of the Senegalese
population. For the record, the Wolofs inhabited Tekrour , Kingdom of
Ghana located in the Senegal River valley. The Senegal River delta has
always been the cradle of Wolof culture. This ethnic group from Senegal
is essentially Muslim and is made up of different brotherhoods which are
specific to Senegal.
Wolof is a language spoken in Senegal and Mauritania. It is a Senegambian language
belonging to the branch of Atlantic languages.
Wolof is one of the rare African languages whose use is limited to the borders of one
country, Senegal ; although it is also spoken in Mauritania, on the banks of the Senegal
River which marks the border between these two countries, as well as in Gambia which
forms an enclave inside Senegal.
During our presentation, we will talk about the cultural heritage of the Wolofs of Senegal.
 I- The origin and tradition of the Wolofs :
1- The origin of the Wolofs :

The Wolofs constitute a population of West Africa living mainly in Senegal where they
occupy the historic provinces of Djolof , Cayor , Ndiambour , Baol , Waalo , Fouta and
Saloum, as well as the peninsula of Green cap. They are also present in Mali, Gambia,
Mauritania in Europe and North America, where the Senegalese diaspora is well
established. In Africa, they often emigrated to Ivory Coast and Gabon.

Cheikh Anta Diop, a Senegalese scientist and Egyptologist, used the word walaf in his
research on the origin of the Wolofs. The word Walaf is in fact the ancestor of the word
Wolof. Djolof Mbengue , believed to be of Mandingo origin, is the founder of the first
Wolof village. He established himself, with several Wolof groups, in what was then called
the Laf country . In Wolof the word wa means “those coming from”, so wa-laf designated
those coming from the country laf . The latter is, with the kingdom of Waalo , one of the
birthplaces of the Wolof ethnic group. Subsequently the word Walaf became the word
Wolof.
According to historians and scientists, such as Cheikh_Anta_Diop , or even Théophile
Obenga , the ancestors of the Wolofs (like most ethnic groups in Africa) originated from
the Nile valley (present-day Egypt). According to them, the oldest traces of a culture,
especially with regard to the language, religious and cultural principles which the Wolofs
inherited, date back to the time of Pharaonic Egypt, both in Lower Egypt and 'in Upper
Egypt and Nubia. The research carried out by these historians demonstrated this by
making cultural, anthropological and linguistic comparisons between ancient Egyptian
and Wolof.
 2- The Wolof tradition
Wolof oral tradition reports that the Wolofs originated from the Nile valley, as evidenced
by the Notebooks of Yoro_Boli_Diaw which, by bringing together the various Wolof oral
traditions, describes the six migrations between the Nile and the Senegal river valley to
which Senegal owes its settlement in the 19th century. The Wolofs first cohabited with
the Berbers in the south-east of Mauritania, in the company of the Fulani, Mandingo
groups, Soninkés and Sereres. All these groups of blacks were called Bafours by the
Berbers. At the time of the Ghana Empire, the Wolofs were of traditional religion. They
lived in Tekrour , a vassal kingdom of Ghana located in the valley of the Senegal River
and one of the great cultural centers of the Toucouleurs. Oral tradition confirms that the
cradle of Wolof culture was the delta of the Senegal River in Waalo where the mythical
ancestor of the Wolofs reigned,
 II- WOLF CULTURE
1- Cultural dance among the Wolofs
The Wolofs are very dynamic and try different activities. They live
mainly from agriculture and traditionally cultivate millet as the basis
of their diet, as well as cassava, peanuts and squash. Livestock
breeding is their second activity.
The sabar is the popular and festive dance of Senegal, performed by
women during baptisms, weddings, tontine festivals, etc. Only the
musicians are men. In addition to street sabars , faux lion folklore is a
sabar performance danced by men.
 2- The main food of the Wolofs

Couscous and “sanglé” appear as the main dishes of the

Wolof kingdoms, Fouta Toro and the neighboring states of Falémé.
It is also mentioned among the Moors, from the Senegal valley to
Timbuktu.
We can easily say that thiéboudienne is the national dish. It is available
in all neighboring countries. It is a rice-based dish where the ingredients
are added successively.
 CONCLUSION
The Wolofs are very dynamic and try different
activities. They live mainly from agriculture and
traditionally cultivate millet as the basis of their
diet, as well as cassava, peanuts and squash.
Livestock breeding is their second activity. They
are the owners of herds of cows which they entrust
to their Peul cousins, experts in cattle breeding.
The Wolofs also practice fishing and are also
renowned for their sense of commerce. You will
often encounter them in big cities and in markets
during a trip to Senegal.

ACCOUNT OF AN ACCOUNT

As part of his studies, the young

Mamadou goes to Senegal in
the Kayor region where he meets a
scholar .
After his training and while he
decides to return home, he comes across
a class friend of the species
geniuses . The latter charges him with a
message for his parents and him
gives a silver ring,
with recommendations (this is a
ring ).
Immediately, Mamadou is
transported to his village by his
friend at lightning speed.
But during a visit he sees Anta ,
his friend's sister . He falls
in love with her and proposes to her
marriage . She accepts not without
condition : Mamadou must be discreet
and keep their relationship a secret.
However, their lives rarely change
time later. Mamadou is hit
by a misfortune where he loses
practically all his possessions. THE
despair then sets in.
For in her lamentations the mother of
Mamadou questions marriage
of his son with Anta , a woman of
the kind of genius. It's a shock
Anta who decides to return to her family
with the magic ring. This is how
that poor Mamadou lost Anta
out of sight for a long time. Then
one fine day the two characters meet
find . Young Mamadou wants
learn more about the disappearance
of his wife. She explains to him that
it is voluntary and the breakup is
his initiative. Mamadou having betrayed the
secret about his person. He didn't know
not that the lives of his people had been
saved by Anta to the detriment of
material goods
This is why it is important to know
keep quiet , remain discreet about a certain
number of things. Especially in a
relationship . Because its survival in
depends .
Poor Mamadou taught it to his
costs .