The History and Religion of Wolof Tribe

The History and Religion of Wolof Tribe

Introduction

Wolofs are the ethnic group of society that lives in Gambia, Senegal and Mauritania. The language of these people is also known as “Wolof”. The country of Senegal has around 40 percent of its population of Wolof people. The capital city of Senegal, Dakar to Saint Louis and even to the south west of the Kaolack is crowded by the majority population of Wolof people. If we see other parts of Casamance and Senegal's west, we will hardly find any Wolof people. Senegal's population is very much influenced by Wolof people; they speak their language, adopt their culture and follow it. In the country of Gambia, around 15 percent of population is Wolof. Here we find Wolof as a minority race in the comparison of Mandinka people, who have majority population there. Lastly, the country of Mauritania has 7 percent of the Wolof population, who are situated in the coastal regions.

Discussion Analysis

The great tribe of Wolof usually lives in Gambia and Senegal. They speak Wolof language which is the part of Islamic structure. The initial documentation about Wolof people came in front of the world in 1455; because French pressured Wolof people in 1800's as they people became Muslims. Currently, around 95 percent people are Muslims in Wolof. The economy of Wolof is based on agriculture and their farming usually depends on the crop of peanut. Most of the people sell goods in the streets and in their yards, as it has been observed that Senegal's climate mostly suffers food shortage and this issue considers as common. Rice is the main staple food of every country and this particular crop badly influence by the changes in climate. These food crises usually create problems for the local public of the country as they store their foods and sometimes eat only one meal in a day.

The people of Wolof mostly live in mud houses which are thatched with grass and simple fences enclose their houses. It has been observed that Wolof people are quite conscious people; they wear different dresses on occasions and seem bit particular about their wearing. Few of the women will be found in different markets for buying a pretty dress for funeral or wedding. If we talk about the concept of funeral, almost 15 percent of children die before the age of 1 year and the expectancy of life is low than 44. This is due to have low access of clean water and also the disease of aids becomes the reason of their short life expectancy. No doubt, medical treatments are available but usage of herbs and magical formulas are more frequent in daily use. History of Wolof Tribe

In the time of 1440's, the first Europeans were the portugese who entered in the Senegambia region. The Wolofs were important to them for the trading purpose but they did not make any colonies. Later on, British came to the Senegambia area in the years of ...