Timeline of Serer history

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This is a timeline of the history and development of Serer religion and the Serer people of Senegal, The Gambia and Mauritania. This timeline merely gives an overview of their history, consisting of calibrated archaeological discoveries in Serer countries, Serer religion, politics, royalty, etc. Dates are given according to the Common Era. For a background to these events, see Roog, Serer religion, Serer creation myth, Serer prehistory, Lamane, States headed by Serer Lamanes, Serer history and Serer people.

Contents

Prehistory

Medieval era (The Golden Age of West Africa)

9th century

Many of the Serer village and town names they have founded still survives today.

11th century

"Today, the Serer retain much of their old culture, customs and traditions. In fact, it's not uncommon to hear how Serer culture has survived through the centuries in spite of all the forces which tried to destroy it."

Godfrey Mwakikagile, [6]

This era marks the exodus of the Serers of Tekrur. Those who survived the wars and refused to convert migrated southwards to what later became known as the Serer Kingdoms of Sine, Saloum and previously Baol, rather than convert to Islam. In the south, they were granted asylum by their distant Serer relatives, endorsed by the Great Council of Lamanes, the highest court in Serer country. Trimingham notes that, Tekrur was the first in the region to adopt Islam but lost completely its Serer identity. [8] War Jabi died in 1040 and was succeeded by his son Leb (or Labi), also a major ally of the Almoravids. [9] Leb is reported to have been fighting for the Almoravids in 1056 [10] probably as a result of the subjugation of Tekrur by the Almoravids in 1042 and a well enforced Sharia law. [11] Economically, the Kingdom of Tekrur benefit with the introduction of Islam. It also created political ties with the North. Many Fulanis/Toucouleurs were part of the Almoravid army that conquered parts of Europe.[ citation needed ]

13th century

14th century

15th century

16th century

Early modern period

17th century

18th century

Modern history

19th century

19th century war drum called junjung in Serer language. Played when Serer kings and warriors went to war. From the Kingdom of Sine. Serer Royal War Drum (Jung-Jung). 19th Century. Jung-Jung From The Kingdom of Sine (in modern day Senegal).jpg
19th century war drum called junjung in Serer language. Played when Serer kings and warriors went to war. From the Kingdom of Sine.
"The noble qualities are found in Serer countries, though they only lack Islam..." [29]
Plan of the Maad a Sinig's residence in Joal. BourSine-Joal.jpg
Plan of the Maad a Sinig's residence in Joal.

20th century

21st century

See also

Notes

  1. Gravrand, Henry, "La civilisation Sereer, Cosaan", p 62
  2. Trimingham, John Spencer, "A history of Islam in West Africa", Oxford University Press, USA, 1970, p 234
  3. Hrbek, I. (1992). General History of Africa volume 3: Africa from the 7th to the 11th Century: Africa from the Seventh to the Eleventh Century v. 3 (Unesco General History of Africa (abridged)). James Carey. p. 67. ISBN   978-0852550939.
  4. Creevey, Lucy (August 1996). "Islam, Women and the Role of the State in Senegal". Journal of Religion in Africa. 26 (3): 268–307. doi:10.1163/157006696x00299. JSTOR   1581646.
  5. Fage, John Donnelly (1997). "Upper and Lower Guinea". In Roland Oliver (ed.). The Cambridge History of Africa, Volume 3. Cambridge University Press. ISBN   978-0521209816.
  6. Mwakikagile, Godfrey, "Ethnic Diversity and Integration in The Gambia: The Land, The People and The Culture," (2010), p 231, ISBN   9987932223
  7. Page, Willie F., "Encyclopedia of African history and culture: African kingdoms (500 to 1500)", p209. Vol.2, Facts on File (2001), ISBN   0-8160-4472-4
  8. Trimingham, John Spencer, "A history of Islam in West Africa", pp 174, 176 & 234, Oxford University Press, USA (1970)
  9. Page, Willie F., "Encyclopedia of African history and culture: African kingdoms (500 to 1500)", p 676, Vol.2, Facts on File (2001), ISBN   0-8160-4472-4
  10. Niane, Djibril Tamsir, "General History of Africa: Africa from the twelfth to the sixteenth century", pp 119–120, UNESCO, 1984, ISBN   9231017101
  11. Abdur Rahman I. Doi, "Islam in Nigeria", Gaskiya Corp., 1984, p 9
  12. Nnoli, Okwudiba, "Ethnic conflicts in Africa", p 241. CODESRIA, 1998. ISBN   2-86978-070-2
  13. "La famille Juuf" [in] « L'épopée de Sanmoon Fay », in Éthiopiques, no 54, vol. 7, 2e semestre 1991
  14. For the old Serer paternal dynasties such as the Joof family or Diouf and the Wagadou maternal dynasty, see : (in English) Phillips, Lucie Colvin, "Historical dictionary of Senegal", Scarecrow Press, 1981, pp 52–71 ISBN   0-8108-1369-6; (in English) Clark, Andrew F. & Philips, Lucie Colvin, "Historical Dictionary of Senegal", Second Edition (1994); & (in French) Institut fondamental d'Afrique noire. Bulletin de l'Institut fondamental d'Afrique noire, Volume 38. IFAN, 1976. pp 557–504. For the Guelowars, see : (in French) Sarr, Alioune, "Histoire du Sine-Saloum", Introduction, bibliographie et notes par Charles Becker, BIFAN, Tome 46, Serie B, n° 3-4, 1986-1987, p 239 (p 21) – *
  15. Diouf, Niokhobaye, "Chronique du royaume du Sine" par suivie de Notes sur les traditions orales et les sources écrites concernant le royaume du Sine par Charles Becker et Victor Martin. Bulletin de l'Ifan, Tome 34, Série B, n° 4, 1972. p 706
  16. Charles, Eunice A., "Precolonial Senegal: the Jolof Kingdom, 1800-1890", African Studies Center, Boston University, 1977. pp 1–3
  17. Fage, John Donnelly (1997). "Upper and Lower Guinea". In Roland Oliver (ed.). The Cambridge History of Africa, Volume 3. Cambridge University Press. p. 484. ISBN   978-0521209816.
  18. Conrad, David C., "Empires of Medieval West Africa", p 12, Infobase Publishing, 2005, ISBN   1-4381-0319-0
  19. Hair, Paul Edward Hedley, "The Use of African Languages in Afro-European contacts in Guinea : 1440-1560", [in] "Sierra Leone Language Review", no. 5, 1966, p. 13
  20. Hair, Paul Edward Hedley, "Africa encountered: European contacts and evidence, 1450-1700", Variorum, 1997, pp 213-15 & 248, ISBN   0-86078-626-9
  21. It was a corruption by Alvise, see : Boulègue, Jean, "Le Grand Jolof, (XVIIIe – XVIe Siècle)", (Paris, Edition Façades), Karthala (1987), p 16
  22. Alvise Cadamosto, the 15th century explorer in modern day Senegambia had never set foot in Serer country. His ship proceeded to the Gambia after one of his Wolof interpreters sent to negotiate slave terms with the local Serer community living in the Cayor border was killed on the spot by this Serer community. Neither Alvise nor any of his party left the ship. The ship proceeded to the Gambia. Since Alvise had never entered Serer country, most of his opinions about the Serers were coming from his Wolof interpreters. The Wolofs of Cayor were in constant war with Serer community living on their border and were fearful of these Serers as narrated by Alvise himself. In Kerr, Alvise refer to the Serers as without kings. However, these Serers were those living on the Wolof Cayor border and refused to submit to the kings of Cayor. Alvise did not know that the Kingdom of Sine was actually a Serer kingdom, where the Barbacini – (a corruption of the Wolof "Bur Ba Sine" which means "king of Sine") took residence. See : (in French) Boulègue, Jean, "Le Grand Jolof, (XVIIIe – XVIe Siècle)", (Paris, Edition Façades), Karthala (1987), p 16. Also : (in English) Kerr, Robert, "A general history of voyages and travels to the end of the 18th century", pp 238–240, J. Ballantyne & Co. 1811; (in French) Verrier, Frédérique, "Introduction. Voyages en Afrique noire d'Alvise Ca'da Mosto (1455 & 1456)", p 136, Chandeigne, Paris, 1994; (in English) Russell, Peter E., "Prince Henry 'the Navigator" : a life, New Haven, Conn: Yale University Press, 2000, pp 299–300
  23. 1 2 Ba, Abdou Bouri. Essai sur l’histoire du Saloum et du Rip. Avant-propos par Charles Becker et Victor Martin. Publié dans le Bulletin de l’Institut Fondamental d’Afrique Noire. pp 10–27
  24. A mission which had eluded the Faal (var : Fall) dynasty from the 16th to the 19th centuries. See Fall.
  25. Fall, Tanor Latsoukabé, Recueil sur la Vie des Damel, Introduit et commenté par Charles Becker et Victor. Martin, BIFAN, Tome 36, Série B, n° 1, janvier 1974
  26. Boulègue, pp 169–180
  27. They are not Wolofs either. They were originally Black Moors (Naari Kajoor meaning Moors of Cayor ), however, they became Wolofized and adopted Wolof culture.
  28. Diop, Cheikh Anta, Modum, Egbuna P., "Towards the African renaissance: essays in African culture & development", 1946–1960, p 28
  29. 1 2 3 4 (in French) Ndiaye, Ousmane Sémou, "Diversité et unicité Sérères: L'exemple de la Région de Thiès", Ethiopiques, n°54, revue semestrielle de culture négro-africaine, Nouvelle série volume 7, 2e semestre 1991
  30. Diouf, Niokhobaye, "Chronique du royaume du Sine", Suivie de notes sur les traditions orales et les sources écrites concernant le royaume du Sine par Charles Becker et Victor Martin. (1972). Bulletin de l'Ifan, Tome 34, Série B, n° 4, (1972). pp 722–733
  31. 1 2 (in French) Diouf, Mahawa, "L’INFORMATION HISTORIQUE : L’EXEMPLE DU SIIN", Ethiopiques n°54. Revue semestrielle de culture négro-Africaine. Nouvelle série volume 7. 2e semestre 1991
  32. 1 2 3 Sarr, "Histoire du Sine-Saloum", pp 33–5
  33. Variation : Diogomay (French spelling of Jogoymay in Senegal).
  34. French spelling in Senegal : Madiodio Fall
  35. 1 2 Klein, Martin, "Islam and Imperialism in Senegal, Sine-Saloum", p130
  36. Titles of the Chief of Sabakh and Sanjal respective. Both States were tributary to the Kingdom of Saloum
  37. 1 2 Klein, pp 74–75
  38. Camara, Alhaji Sait, [in] GRTS programmes, "Sunu Chossan"
  39. Variations : Samba Laobé Fall or Samba Laobé Latsouck Sira Diogop Fall
  40. Variation : Mang Codou
  41. Head of the noble council of electors responsible for electing the kings from the royal family. He was equivalent to a Prime Minister in Serer country.
  42. Sarr, pp 37–38
  43. Diouf, Niokhobaye, pp 726–727
  44. Kesteloot, Lilyan; Mbodj, Chérif; Ba, Seydou, Contes et mythes wolof (critic), (editors : Lilyan Kesteloot, Chérif Mbodj), Nouvelles Éditions Africaines, 1983, pp 15, 111, 179–80
  45. John D. Tuxill, Gary Paul Nabhan, World Wide Fund for Nature, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, "People, Plants, and Protected Areas: A Guide to in Situ Management", p 50
  46. 1 2 Klein, Martin A. "Islam and Imperialism in Senegal Sine-Saloum, 1847–1914." Edinburgh University Press (1968). p XV
  47. Le Soleil (Senegal)
  48. Diallo,Ibrahima, "The Politics of National Languages in Postcolonial Senegal"
  49. See Alhaji Alieu Ebrima Cham Joof. Abstract printed on The Point Newspaper  : "Message to the Founding Fathers of the OAU at their First Conference at Addis Ababa, 1st May 1963", (2006).
  50. Meredith, "The Fate of Africa", p 367, Public Affaires (2005)

Bibliography

Further reading

Related Research Articles

The Kingdom of Sine was a post-classical Serer kingdom along the north bank of the Saloum River delta in modern Senegal. The inhabitants are called Siin-Siin or Sine-Sine.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Saltigue</span> Title for Serer high priests and priestesses

The Saltigue, are Serer high priests and priestesses who preside over the religious ceremonies and affairs of the Serer people, such as the Xooy ceremony, the biggest event in the Serer religious calendar. They usually come from ancient Serer paternal families. Such a title is usually inherited by birthright. In Serer country, Saltigue are always diviners. The scope of this article deals only with the Serer Saltigues – "diviners" and termed by some scholars as "the ministers of the religious cult"; "pastors of the people" or within the remits of these definitions.

Maad a Signig Kumba Ndoffene Famak Joof was the King of Sine in modern-day Senegal. Maad a Sinig means king of Sine. He ruled from 1853 until his death on 23 August 1871. He was the son of Maad Souka Ndela Joof and Lingeer Gnilane Jogoy Joof. His father – Maad Souka Ndela came from The Royal House of Semou Njekeh Joof founded by Maad Semou Njekeh Joof in the early 18th century, which was the third and last Royal House of Joof family of Sine and Saloum. His paternal family ruled three Kingdoms : Sine, Kingdom of Saloum and previously the Kingdom of Baol. They descended from Maad Ndaah Njemeh Joof the 13th century King of Lâ (Laah) in Baol.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Battle of Fandane-Thiouthioune</span> Religious war between the Serer people and the Muslim Marabouts of the 19th century

The Battle of Fandane-Thiouthioune, also known as the Battle of Somb or the Battle of Somb-Tioutioune, occurred on 18 July 1867. It was a religious war between the Serer people and the Muslim Marabouts in 19th-century Senegal and the Gambia, but it also had a political and economic dimension to it: vendetta and empire-building. Fandane, Thiouthioune and Somb were part of the pre-colonial Serer Kingdom of Sine, now part of independent Senegal.

Guelowar, also spelled Gelwar, Guelwar, Guelware, Gueleware or Gueloware, was a maternal dynasty in the pre-colonial Serer kingdoms of Sine and Saloum. They were from the Mandinka ethnic group. The offspring of Mandinka women and Serer men became the kings of Sine and Saloum. The dynasty lasted from the mid-14th century to 1969, the year both kings died.

Maad a Sinig Mahecor Joof was the last king to rule the Serer Kingdom of Sine, now part of independent Senegal. Maad a Sinig means king of Sine in the Serer language. He reigned from 1924 until his death in 1969. After his death, the Kingdom of Sine was incorporated into independent Senegal.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Joof family</span> Serer clan of Senegambia, West Africa

Joof or Diouf is a surname that is typically Serer. This surname is also spelt Juuf or Juf.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Maad Saloum</span> Title for the King of Saloum in the Serer language

Maad Saloum means king of Saloum, in the Serer language. The ancient Kingdom of Saloum now part of present-day Senegal was a pre-colonial Serer kingdom. Their kings bore the title Maad or Mad. The royal title was sometimes used interchangeably with that of their ancient kings and landed gentry - the lamanes.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Maad a Sinig Ama Joof Gnilane Faye Joof</span> 19th century Sine king

Maad a Sinig Ama Joof Gnilane Faye Joof was a king of Sine now part of present-day Senegal. He reigned from c. 1825 to 1853. He was fluent in several languages. He came from The Royal House of Semou Njekeh Joof. Maad a Sinig means king of Sine in the Serer-Sine language. The term Bur Sine is also used interchangeably with the proper title Maad a Sinig or Mad a Sinig. They both mean king Sine. Bour Sine is usually used by the Wolof people when referring to the Serer kings of Sine. The Serer people generally used the term Maad a Sinig or Mad a Sinig when referring to their kings.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Teigne</span>

Teigne was the title of the monarch of the pre-colonial Kingdom of Baol, now part of present-day Senegal.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Thilas</span>

Thilas was an ancient title of nobility used in the Serer pre-colonial Kingdoms of Sine, Saloum and previously the Kingdom of Baol, which are all now part of modern-day Senegal. The Thilas was the second in the order of succession to the throne after the Buumi who was the heir apparent. Only members of the royal family could hold this title. When a Maad a Sinig dies without a Buumi, the Thilas could ascend the throne at the discretion of the Great Jaraff and his Noble Council of Electors responsible for electing the kings from the royal family. In the history of Sine to its 20th century history, such an incident is only known to have occurred once, at the succession of Maad a Sinig Kumba Ndoffene Fa Ndeb Joof whose predecessor died without a Buumi.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Maad a Sinig Kumba Ndoffene Fa Ndeb Joof</span>

Maad a Sinig Kumba Ndoffene Fa Ndeb Joof, also known as Kumba Ndoffene Joof II or Bour Sine Coumba Ndoffène Fandepp Diouf, was a King of Sine. Maad a Sinig translates as "King of Sine", Maad meaning king in the Serer language. The surname Joof is the English spelling in the Gambia. Diouf is the French spelling in Senegal.

Maad Ndaah Njemeh Joof is one of the patriarchs of the Joof family, himself the medieval King of Laah in Baol now part of independent Senegal. He ruled from the late 13th century to the early 14th century, c. 1290. His descendants from the branch of Maad Patar Kholleh Joof ruled the pre-colonial Kingdoms of Sine, Saloum and Baol, from the 14th century to 1969. The last king of Sine and Saloum died in 1969. After their deaths, the Serer States of Sine and Saloum were incorporated into independent Senegal. His descendants went on to found three royal houses:

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Battle of Logandème</span>

The Battle of Logandème was an uprising led by the Serer King Maad a Sinig Kumba Ndoffene Famak Joof, king of Sine, against the French Empire. The battle took place at Logandème which was a part of Sine at the time. The battle was also a revenge attack against the Serer people after their resounding victory against France at the Battle of Djilass on 13 May 1859. It was the first time that France decided to employ cannonball in the Senegambia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lingeer</span> Title given to the mother or sister of a king

Lingeer was the title given to the mother or sister of a king in the Serer kingdoms of Sine, Saloum, and previously the Kingdom of Baol; and the Wolof kingdoms of Cayor, Jolof, Baol and Waalo in pre-colonial Senegal. The word "Lingeer" means "queen" or "princess" in Serer and Wolof language. The Lingeer was considered the “great princess of royal courts.” These kingdoms utilized a bilineal system, as a candidate for kingship could not succeed to the throne if he was not a member of the reigning materlineage, and thus, the Lingeer's maternal lineage was highly significant. In similarity, a candidate could not succeed to the throne as king if he was not a member of the noble reigning patriclans. That was particular so among the Serer who retained much of their old culture, customs and traditional religion where women played a significant role compared to the Wolof who adopted Islam. Various Lingeers have been noted for their resistance efforts to colonial conquest.

The Royal House of Boureh Gnilane Joof was a royal house founded in the 14th century by Jaraff Boureh Gnilane Joof. He was a member the Serer tribe, from the pre-colonial Kingdom of Sine now part of independent Senegal. It was the first royal house founded by the Joof family during the Guelowar period. Boureh Gnilane Joof was a royal prince and a Jaraff, a Serer title of nobility with the powers of a prime minister. He was neither a Maad a Sinig nor a Maad Saloum but a royal prince who had the title Jaraff bestowed upon him by his cousin and brother-in-law - Maad a Sinig Diessanou Faye. His father Maad Patar Kholleh Joof was the king of Laa and Teigne of Baol. Boureh's brothers were the first from this house to have succeeded to the throne of Sine during the Guelowar period. His name was adopted in his honour to refer to the first royal house founded by the Joof family during this dynastic period. The Joof family of Sine, from this royal house also ruled in the Kingdom of Saloum The Joof family also ruled in Baol. From the date of its foundation up to the abolition of the Serer monarchies of Sine and Saloum in 1969, at least ten kings from this house had succeeded to the throne of Sine. As the first royal house of Sine founded by the Joof family in this dynastic period, the Royal House of Boureh Gnilane Joof holds great significance in Senegambian, Joof family and Serer history, because all the subsequent royal houses founded by the Joof family branched out from this royal house.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lingeer Fatim Beye</span> Lingeer of Sine

Lingeer Fatim Beye Joos Fadiou was a 14th-century Serer princess and queen (Lingeer) from the Kingdom of Sine. She is the matriarch and early ancestor of the Joos Maternal Dynasty of Waalo. She is usually regarded by some sources as the founder of the Joos Maternal Dynasty. The pre-colonial Kingdoms of Sine and Waalo now lies within present-day Senegal. Her surname is Beye (English-Gambia) or Bèye (French-Senegal). Joos Fadiou is her maternal clan. In Serer, "Fa-tim" means "the maternal clan of..."

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Faye family</span> African clan

The patronym Faye is one of the typical surnames of the Serer people of Senegal, the Gambia and Mauritania. In French-speaking Senegal and Mauritania, and English-speaking Gambia, the surname is spelled Faye.

Babacar Sedikh Diouf or Babacar Sédikh Diouf is a Senegalese historian, author, researcher, campaigner against "Wolofization", a Pan-Africanist, and former teacher. He has written extensively about the history and culture of Senegal, Africa, and that of the Serer ethnic group to which he belong. He usually writes by the pen name Babacar Sedikh Diouf.

Maad Saloum Fode N'Gouye Joof was the last king of Saloum. He reigned as Maad Saloum from 1935 to 1969. His royal title Maad Saloum means King of Saloum in Serer.