The Wolofs, the country's majority ethnic group
Representing more than 43% of the population, the Wolofs are undoubtedly the largest ethnic group in the country. They arrived in northeastern Senegal in the 13th century and ruled the Djolof kingdom until the 16th century, before the territory was divided into chieftaincies and conquered by the French colonial power. Today, they are found mainly in the west of the country, from Saint-Louis to the Gambian border, passing through Thies, Dakar and Kaolack. Like the Serer, they are traditionally organized according to a well-defined caste system, with the geer, the aristocrats of the ethnic group, dominating this hierarchical pyramid. Although some castes have disappeared with the evolution of society, such as that of slaves, the Wolofs remain attached to this system today. They have always lived from agriculture and traditionally cultivate millet, which was the main staple of their diet at the time. They are also livestock breeders in the countryside, fishermen in Saint-Louis, and managers and traders in Dakar. Related to the Wolofs, the Lebous are settled on the Cape Verde peninsula, well before the arrival of the first settlers. They are radically turned towards the sea, keeping agriculture for times when fish is scarce. But beyond being an ethnic group, Wolof is also a language that is spoken by about 80% of the population, all ethnic groups combined, in addition to French and other languages. In addition to this dialect, Wolof culture has also spread throughout the country and today we speak of "Wolofization", linked to urban concentration and this harmonious "living together".
The Halpulaars, a common shared language
The Fulani and Toucouleurs, who together make up nearly 25% of the Senegalese population, share a common language, called Pulaar, forming an ethnic group in their own right, with some traditions and ways of life differing between the two peoples. The Fulani are nomadic and semi-nomadic shepherds who live from livestock and are found in several West African countries, such as Senegal, Mali and Mauritania. Their origin remains mysterious, some historians thinking they come from Egypt, others from India. Since the 15th century, they have been associated with Islam, the great marabouts and the arrival in Black Africa of the first elements of Arabic writing. In Senegal, they are found over a large part of the territory, particularly in the Ferlo, the Fouta-Djalon mountains and in Upper Casamance. Many of them are now sedentary alongside the Wolofs, but others have kept their nomadic tradition and move around to feed their herds. Their lifestyle is rudimentary, and their families are very large. As for the Toucouleurs, who have long been sedentary, they live mainly along the Senegal River, from Saint-Louis to Bakel. The word Toucouleur is a distortion of the name of the ancient kingdom they founded, the Tekrour. Also organized in a caste system, this ethnic group was converted to Islam very early on through contact with Berber traders and later became one of the main spreaders of Islam in West Africa. Still practicing scarification, the Toucouleurs are distinguished by the two incisions made near the temples. Like the Fulani, they are traditionally farmers and herders.
The Serer people, the oldest in Senegambia
The Serer are the third largest ethnic group in Senegal, accounting for about 20 percent of the population. Less dispersed than the other peoples, they live mainly in the Sine-Saloum, along the Petite Côte and in the northwest of the Gambia. They are the oldest inhabitants of Senegambia, related by their traditions to the Diola culture, and by their dialect to the Fulani and Wolof. These animists, who resisted Islam since the arrival of the Almoravids in the 11th century, are today mostly Muslims, even if they have many Catholics in their ranks. Paradoxically, animist rites are still an integral part of the daily life of the Serer, who still wear talismans and hold esoteric initiations in the sacred forests. Traditionally fishermen and millet farmers, they are now active in politics, literature, music and commerce, among other fields. Wasn't Léopold Sédar Senghor a great politician and writer at the same time? Heirs to a prestigious past as warriors, the Serer are, along with the Diola, at the origin of the introduction of wrestling as a national sport in Senegal, as they used to wrestle to celebrate the end of the harvest. They are relatively close to the Diolas and Toucouleurs, with whom they have a cousinly relationship, known as a kinship in jest. They are obliged to criticize and tease each other in a relaxed atmosphere, but also to help and respect each other.
Casamance, a plurality of ethnic groups
Estimated at less than 10% of the Senegalese population, the Diola ethnic group mainly inhabit the lands of Lower Casamance. Its history is quite similar to that of the Serer ethnic group, as both resisted the Muslim invaders and the colonial power. Although the population has gradually converted to both Islam and Catholicism, animist traditions remain strongly embedded in the culture. Unlike other ethnic groups, Diola society is very egalitarian: there are no castes, and only kings serve the people, living in all modesty in the sacred forests of the village, like the king of Floups, in Oussouye. The Diolas are mostly fishermen or farmers, and excel in rice cultivation. In addition to this majority people in the region, Casamance is an area where several ethnic groups meet. From the Baïnouks to the Balantes, through the Manjaques, Mancagnes, Karones and Bandias, these minority groups are distinguished by their dialects, as their animistic customs are close to those of the Diolas.
The minority peoples of Senegal
In addition to the main ethnic groups present on Senegalese soil, there are a myriad of groups scattered throughout the country, but in a minority. The Mandingo, who originated in Mali, are found in West Africa around the Senegal and Niger rivers. Although they were introduced to Islam in the eleventh century, they did not convert en masse until much later. In Senegal, they represent only 3% of the population, and are divided into several ethnic groups: Malinke, Socié, Bambara, Diakhanté and the most numerous, Soninke. On the heights of eastern Senegal, three other ethnic minority groups live in rural mode, with very marked cultures. Bassaris, Bédiks, who both belong to the Tenda group, and Jalonkés thus preserve very strong animist traditions. The most numerous, the Bassaris are known for their initiation rite in May, and live around Salémata, 80 km from Kédougou. Between the two cities are the Bédiks, concentrated around Bandafassi and Iwol. As for the Jalonkés, this people of hunters from Guinea, they have crossed the border to settle south of Kédougou. They live in harmony with the Fulani, who have also been living in the region for a long time, but they live in isolation in the purest village tradition.
Senegal, a land of welcome
From Mauritanians to Lebanese, Cape Verdeans and Chinese, not to mention the French, the foreign community represents about 2% of the population in Senegal. A land of migrations and crossroads, Senegal is known for its warm welcome and legendary hospitality. In addition to Cape Verdeans and Guineans, Mauritanians are one of the largest African communities living in Senegal. Refugees in the country during the crisis of 1989, they have now found their place in the country by becoming owners of a jewelry store or a bazaar. They share the small business with their Senegalese, West African, Lebanese and Chinese counterparts. Estimated at around 25,000 people, the Lebanese are for the most part born in Senegal, speak Wolof and know very little about Lebanon. The first wave of migration dates back to the end of the 18th century, and at that time the Lebanese obtained a monopoly on commercial activities, particularly those involving peanuts. Later, during the Lebanese war (1975-1990), a new wave of migration led many of them to Africa, particularly to Senegal. As Wolofs were able to open their own businesses, the situation of Lebanese traders deteriorated at the end of the 1990s. Lebanese-Senegalese are also present in professional positions, but still have difficulty reaching the political class. There has been only one minister of Lebanese origin appointed to the government, Haïdar El Ali. As an underdeveloped country where intercultural exchanges are important, several bilateral cooperations have been signed with many foreign countries such as France, Spain, and China, to name a few, resulting in thousands of expatriates coming to Senegal. Since the resumption of diplomatic relations between Beijing and Dakar in 2005, the number of Chinese living in Senegal has multiplied, but remains difficult to quantify. They are found in all kinds of jobs, such as trade and construction. As for the Europeans, it is not surprising that the French diaspora is the most important, with an estimated 25,000 people in Senegal. Some of them run hotels or restaurants, others work in French schools, institutes or associations and the retired ones enjoy the sun in their second home.
