View source for Serer maternal clans

{{Short description|The maternal clans of the Serer people}}
{{Serer religion}}
'''Serer maternal clans''' or '''Serer matriclans''' ([[Serer language|Serer]] : '''Tim''' <ref name="md"/> or ''Tiim''; [[Ndut language|Ndut]] : '''Ciiɗim'''<ref>Dupire, "Totems sereer et contrôle rituel de l'environnement", p 40</ref>) are the [[matrilineality|maternal]] [[clan]]s of the '''[[Serer people]]''' of [[Senegal]], the [[Gambia]] and [[Mauritania]]. The Serer are both [[patrilineality|patrilineal]] (''simanGol'' <ref>Kalis, p 299</ref> or ''Simangol''<ref name="lam"/>) and matrilineal.<ref name="Becs"/><ref name="Jean">{{in lang|fr}} Gastellu, Jean-Marc, "Petit traité de matrilinarité. L'accumulation dans deux sociétés rurales d'Afrique de l'Ouest", Cahiers ORSTOM, série Sciences Humaines 4 (1985) [in] {{in lang|en}}  Gastellu, Jean-Marc, "Matrilineages, Economic Groups and Differentiation in West Africa: A Note", O.R.S.T.O.M. Fonds Documentaire (1988), pp 1, 2-4 (pp 272-4), 7 (p 277)  [http://horizon.documentation.ird.fr/exl-doc/pleins_textes/pleins_textes_5/b_fdi_18-19/25532.pdf]</ref> Inheritance depends on the nature of the asset being inherited – i.e. whether it is a maternal [[asset]] which requires maternal inheritance (''ƭeen yaay''<ref name="Becs">{{in lang|fr}} Becker, Charles: "Vestiges historiques, trémoins matériels du passé clans les pays sereer", Dakar (1993), CNRS - ORS TO M. [http://horizon.documentation.ird.fr/exl-doc/pleins_textes/pleins_textes_5/b_fdi_01/010014636.pdf] (Retrieved : 31 July 2012)</ref> or ''den yaay''<ref name="md">{{in lang|fr}} [[Marguerite Dupire|Dupire, Marguerite]], "Sagesse sereer: Essais sur la pensée [[Ndut people|sereer ndut]], KARTHALA Editions (1994). For tim and den yaay (see p. 116). The book also deals in depth about the Serer matriclans and means of succession through the matrilineal line. See also pages : 38, 95-99, 104, 119-20, 123, 160, 172-74 [https://books.google.com/books?id=Fag2wuiV7t8C&q=Sagesse+sereer:essais+sur+la+pense+sereer+ndut] {{ISBN|2865374874}} (Retrieved : 31 July 2012)</ref>) or paternal asset requiring paternal inheritance (''kucarla'').<ref name="Becs"/> The Serer woman play a vital role in [[:Category:Serer royalty|royal]] and [[:Category:Serer religion|religious affairs]]. In pre-colonial times until the abolition of their monarchies, a [[Coronation of Maad a Sinig Kumba Ndoffene Famak Joof|Serer king would be required to crown his mother, maternal aunt or sister]] as [[Lingeer]] (queen) after his own [[coronation]].  This re-affirms the maternal lineage to which they both belong (''Tim''). The Lingeer was very powerful and had her own army and palace. She was the queen of all women and presided over female [[legal case|cases]]. From a religious perspective, the Serer woman plays a vital role in [[Serer religion]]. As members of the Serer priestly class (the [[Saltigue]]s), they are among the guardians of Serer religion, sciences, ethics and [[:Category:Serer culture|culture]].  There are several Serer matriclans; not all of them are listed here. Alliance between matriclans in order to achieve a common goal was, and still is very common.  The same clan can be called a different name depending on which part of [[:Category:Serer country|Serer country]] one finds oneself in. Some of these matriclans form part of [[Serer creation myth|Serer mythology]] and dynastic history. The mythology afforded to some of these clans draws parallels with the Serer creation narrative, which posits that: [[Serer creation myth#Creation of human beings|the first human to be created was a female]]. Many Serers who adhere to the tenets of Serer religion believe these narratives to contain profound truths which are historic or pre-historic in nature.
==Terminology==
*In Serer, ''Tim'' (proper : ''o tim''<ref name="lam"/>) means ''matriclan''<ref name="egal term">Gastellu, Jean-Marc, "L'Egalitarisme économique des Serer du Sénégal", IRD Editions (1981), p 97, {{ISBN|2709905914}}</ref> or the maternal origins of an individual.<ref name="lam"/> The term ''o tim ole'' (var : ''tim ola''<ref name="lam"/>) means ''the matriclan''<ref>Kalis, Simone, "Médecine traditionnelle religion et divination chez les Seereer Sine du Senegal", La connaissance de la nuit, L'Harmattan (1997), p 300, {{ISBN|2-7384-5196-9}}</ref> or the name of the family by the mother's line.<ref name="lam"/> The name of the family by the father's line (i.e. [[surname]]) is called ''Simangol''. This is the name that the Serer carry for example : Sain, Joof, Faye, Sarr, Ngom, Njie, Ndour, Senghor, etc., (see [[Serer people#Serer patronyms|Serer patronyms]] and [[:Category:Surnames of Serer origin|Serer surnames]] for variations in spelling in [[the Gambia]] and [[Senegal]]). The Serers are bilineal, that is, [[Patrilineality|patrilineal]] and [[matrilineality|matrilineal]]. For more on this, see those articles as well as [[family name]].
*The head of a matriclan is called ''Tokoor'' (or ''Tokor''). The Tokoor is usually a very old man (the eldest male of the clan) and a rather important figure in the maternal family.<ref name="cos 210-12"/>
*''ƭeen yaay''<ref name="Becs"/> or ''den yaay'' (var : ''den yay'' <ref name="egal term"/>) — means ''maternal inheritance''<ref name="Becs"/> or matrilineage<ref name="egal term"/> depending on context.
*''A ndok ya'' — literally means a ''mother’s house'' (or ''cabin'').<ref name="Jean"/> In a historical sense, it can also means all those who trace descent from a direct maternal ancestor.<ref name="Jean"/>  The paternal alternative is ''mbin'' (as in ''Mbin Semou Njekeh'' - see [[the Royal House of Semou Njekeh Joof]]). All the members of this mother's house partains to the same matriclan.<ref name="Jean"/><ref name="egal term"/>
*''Maasir'' ([[Serer language|Serer proper]]) also called ''Kalir'' (var : ''Kal'') is a [[joking relationship]] between various [[:Category:Surnames of Serer origin|patronyms]] of the same ethnic group (for example between the [[Faye family|Faye]] and [[Joof family]] - who are both ethnically Serers) or between paternal and maternal first cousins (i.e. between someone and the offspring of his/her maternal uncle or paternal aunt).<ref name="Faye-Diop"/> The term ''Gamo'' (from the Serer word ''Gamahou'' or ''Gamohou'', [[Serer religion#Influence on Senegambia|which has Serer religious connotations]]<ref>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)», . (1972). Bulletin de l'IFAN, tome 34, série B, no 4, 1972, pp 706-7 (pp 4-5), pp 713-14 (pp 9-10)</ref>) is used for the same purpose but between different [[Ethnic groups in Senegal|ethnic groups]] (for example between the [[Serer people|Serer]], [[Jola people|Jola]] and [[Toucouleur people|Toucouleurs]], along with the Fula). Gamo is the proper term to describe these inter-ethnic joking relations, although it is common to hear it substituted with the terms ''maasir'', ''kalir'' or ''kal''.  In the [[tradition]]s of these groups, they are historical [[Political alliance|alliances]] between their [[ancestor]]s, which were sometimes sealed with blood.  These historical pacts dictates that these groups are required to assist one another in times of need; estopped from spilling the blood of another; give advice or even insult one another in a joking manner without the recipient taking offensive. In most cases, their descendants honour this ancient protocol to the present, especially between the Jola and Serer people [[The Point of Sangomar#Anthropology (status in Serer religion)|who have an ancient relationship]]. This tradition which is present between  [[Serer paternal clans|Serer patriclans]] and in [[:Category:Senegambian culture|Senegambian culture]], is also present among the Serer matriclans. They are historical alliances to which their descendants still adhere to.<ref name="Faye-Diop">{{in lang|fr}} Faye, Ousmane, Diop, Adama, "Contribution a l'étude de l'histoire de Fa-oy des origines aux grandes migrations (XIIIe - XXe siècle): approche historique et ethnographique", [[Université Cheikh Anta Diop]] de Dakar (2002), pp 64-70</ref> For more on this, see [[Serer people#Joking relationship (Maasir or Kalir)|Serer - Maasir]].
==Types==
Serer matriclans can be divided into two types :
:1. Those clans who are Serers by origin — through the bloodline. They are usually revered in [[Serer religion]] and/or [[Serer creation myth|legend or mythology]], and form part of [[Serer ancient history|Serer ancient]] and [[:Category:Serer royalty|dynastic]] history (only if they have established a maternal dynasty). They tend to be rather old clans and many of their historical narratives are lost to history.<ref name="du"/>
:2.Those who are assimilated to [[:Category:Serer culture|Serer culture]] through marriage (as stated were appropriated) — usually part of Serer dynastic history, especially [[Serer history (medieval era to present)|Serer medieval history]], but have no relevance in Serer religion, legend, mythology or ancient history. In certain cases, some of these clans attempt to advance their mythological legitimacy by affiliating themselves to the proto-Serer matriclans or adopting as totems — objects which are enshrined in Serer mythology.<ref name="cos 2002"/>
Serer matriclans can be further categorized by splitting them into groups. For example, ''':'''
:1. The ''Coofaan'' group (var : ''Tiofane'' or ''Tiofan'') —: i.e. the ''Coofaan'' (itself a matriclan), ''Siañ'', ''Pedior'', ''Taa'boor'' (or ''Tabor'') and ''Jolax'' (var : ''Diolah'') matriclans.<ref name="BIFAN 1983 p 359">BIFAN (1983), p 359</ref>
==History==
{{further|Serer creation myth|Serer religion|Serer ancient history}}
{{see also|Saltigue}}
Serer matriclans and the role of Serer women are intricately linked to the [[Serer creation myth|Serer cosmogony]] and [[Serer religion|religion]].<ref name="un">{{in lang|en}} [[Universität Frankfurt am Main]], Frobenius-Institut, Deutsche Gesellschaft für Kulturmorphologie, Frobenius Gesellschaft, "Paideuma: Mitteilungen zur Kulturkunde, Volumes 43-44", F. Steiner (1997), pp 144-5, {{ISBN|3515028420}} (Henry Gravrand, "La civilisation Sereer - Pangool" [in] "Paideuma: Mitteilungen zur Kulturkunde, Volumes 43-44")</ref> In their [[cosmogony]], the supreme transedental deity [[Roog]] (or [[Koox]] among the [[Cangin languages|Cangin]]) created a woman first before man was ever created from the same divine placenta. In [[Religious symbolism|Serer religious symbolism]] and numbers, women share the same number with Roog (the [[number 3]]). The ''number 3'' represents the celetral world in Serer symbolims and "numbers". Their creation narrative posits that ''':''' there were three worlds, three parts of the [[cosmos]] and three [[Dietary mineral|essential elements]].<ref name="Pangool pp 194-5">{{in lang|fr}} [[Henry Gravrand|Gravrand, Henry]], "La Civilisation Sereer - ''[[Pangool]]''", vol. 2, Les Nouvelles Editions Africaines du Sénégal (1990), pp 194-195, {{ISBN|2-7236-1055-1}}</ref> Women are also linked to the Divine, who created the [[Universe]] via its divine female principles.<ref name="un"/>
The ritual control of the [[marine life]] such as sea salt and fish, and that of [[rain]] and [[river]]s including [[fire]] (for the purposes of [[farmland]]) are attributed to the first Serer matriclans.<ref name="du"/> Many of the proto-Serer matriclans are found within the old villages of the [[Petite Côte]] in [[:Category:Serer country|Serer country]].<ref name="du"/> The [[Faoye]] (var : ''Fa-oy'', a locality of [[Sine-Saloum]] situated around 25&nbsp;km south of [[Fatick]]) is also steep rich in [[tradition]] as it is in [[Niakhar Arrondissement|Ñakhar]] (or Niakhar). Like Ñakhar, Faoye account for many Serer matriclans including : Feejoor, Joofaan, Kare-Kare, Mengeeñ, Raaboor, Rik, Simala, Waale, Wagadu, Yiil, etc.<ref name="Fa">{{in lang|fr}} Faye, Ousmane, Diop, Adama, "Contribution a l'étude de l'histoire de Fa-oy des origines aux grandes migrations (XIII<sup>e</sup> - XX<sup>e</sup> siècle) : approche historique et ethnographique", pp 64-8, [[Université Cheikh Anta Diop]] de [[Dakar]] (2002)</ref> These matriclans were integrated into the Kingdoms of [[Kingdom of Sine|Sine]] and [[Kingdom of Saloum|Saloum]]. It is suggested that their initial role was religious in nature.<ref name="du">Dupire, "Sagesse sereer: Essais sur la pensée sereer ndut", p 118 (Henry Gravrand, "La civilisation Sereer" - ''Cosaan'', 1983, pp 154-155 [in] Dupire)</ref> Like the Serer patriclans (see [[Joof family]]), each Serer matriclan has its associated [[totem]] which are rooted in nature or the environment.<ref name="D98-9">Dupire, "Sagesse sereer: Essais sur la pensée sereer ndut", pp 98-9</ref>
The [[Ndut people|Serer Ndut]] call the ancestors the elements of the environment with which their matriclans are associated, and they differ from the [[patronym]]ic totems which are related to prohibitions and taboos imposed on an individual by the [[Saltigue|Serer healers and priestly class]]. These beliefs are still prevalent, especially in funerals, which are expected to manifest these "ancestors", as well as when the totemic species ([[animal]]) needs protection.<ref name="D98-9"/>
Many [[:Category:Serer families|Serer families]] can recite their maternal [[genealogy]] at least as far back to ten generations from the eldest living member of the clan.<ref name="Jean"/>
===The Serer group and matrilineality===
{{main|Serer people}}
The Serer ethnic group are very diverse and include : the [[Seex]] (pronounced ''Seeh'', i.e. the Seereer Siin, the most numerous among the Serer group), the [[Ndut people|Ndut]], the [[Saafi people|Saafi]], the [[Laalaa people|Laalaa]], the [[Palor people|Palor]], the [[Noon people|Noon]], the [[Niominka people|Niominka]], etc. All these people are ethnically Serers though some may speak the [[Cangin language]] rather than [[Serer language|Serer or Seereer Siin]]. The Cangin is not a [[dialect]] of Serer. For more on this, see [[Serer people]] and the other relevant articles. Each of these groups have a way of stratifying their matrilineal system. The geographical spread of the Serer group also account for the different names used by these groups to refer to the Serer matriclans along with variations in language. However, the matriclans just like the ethnic group, are all interconnected and in many cases, the variances are minute. The Ndut matriclans have also settled in Palor country (also called ''Sili'', which means ''Serer'' in [[Palor language|their language]]<ref name="Eth">[[Palor language|Palor]] in [[Ethnologue]] (2007) : Lewis, M. Paul (ed.), 2009. "Ethnologue: Languages of the World", Sixteenth edition. Dallas, Tex.: SIL International.[http://www.ethnologue.com/show_language.asp?code=fap]</ref>) for a long time and their matrilineages still have [[land rights]] and distant relatives  among the Palor as well as ancestral graveyards in Palor country. The same is true across the Serer group.<ref name="Dup totem">Dupire, "Totems sereer et contrôle rituel de l'environnement", pp 40-4</ref> The [[Lebou people]] also have Serer ancestry, and it common for them to have both Serer surnames as well as belonging to one of the Serer matriclans. Many of the Lebou ancestral spirits are actually the Serer [[Pangool]] (see [[Saltigue]]). The Palors and Ndut are found in [[Cayor]]; the Saafi, Noon and Laalaa in [[Baol]];<ref name="Dup totem"/> the Seex in [[Kingdom of Sine|Sine]], [[Saloum]] (which includes Lower Saloum - modern day [[Gambia]] as well as the Gambian interior) and [[Mauritania]], the Niominka around the Gambia and Senegal border.
The following table gives some of the variations in the matriclans among the Palor, Ndut, Saafi, Lebou and Seex ''':'''
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Palor clans!! Ndut clans !! Saafi clans !! Lebou clans !! Seex clans
|-
| Ƴuuɗ || Ƴuuɗ || Ƴuuɗ || Yuur|| -
|-
| Lemu|| Lemu|| Lemu|| -|| -
|-
| Joofa|| -|| Joofa|| -|| Cofa (var : Coofaan)
|-
| Caagis|| -|| Caages|| -|| Cegandum
|-
| Yookam|| Yookam|| Yokam|| Yokam (Dumbuur)|| Bagadou or Bagadu (more commonly known as Wagadou)<ref>Adapted from Dupire "Totems sereer et contrôle rituel de l'environnement", p 42</ref>
|}
===Role of the Tokoor===
The ''Tokoor'' (or ''Tokor''<ref name="cos 210-12"/>) is the head of the maternal clan usually an elderly man. He accumulates and safeguards the asset of the maternal lineage for the benefit of the whole matriclan and plays a major role in marrying off his maternal [[Nephew and niece|nephews and nieces]].<ref name="cos 210-12">Gravrand, "Cosaan", pp 210-12</ref> The word ''tokoor'' comes from the Serer word ''tokoor fee'', which means maternal uncle.<ref>Kalis, p 300</ref> Another derivative of ''tokoor fee'' is ''"Takor"'', which is also a [[Serer names|Serer first name]] as well as the name for a maternal uncle.<ref name="lam"/> Most Serer homes have an ancient artefact, beit a maternal or paternal asset.<ref name="Becs"/><ref name="Gav 208-9">Gravrand, "Pangool", pp 208-9</ref> Some of these are religious in nature, others are of the [[Nature|material world]].<ref name="Becs"/><ref name="Gav 208-9"/> It is the responsibility of every family member to acquire [[treasure]] (''halal'' in [[Serer language|Serer]]) in order to increase the clan's wealth.<ref name="Jean"/> Some of these treasures or assets may be [[jewellery]], [[livestock]], mechanical equipment, [[land law|land]], furniture, etc.<ref name="Becs"/><ref name="Jean"/><ref name="Gav 208-9"/>  Like paternal assets, the maternal asset of a particular matriclan determines their "collective power" and wealth, which may be drawn upon on certain occasions such as marriages, naming ceremonies or in times of need. Not everything is drawn upon. Some of these assets or treasures are far too precious to the matriclan and form part of their [[family history]] i.e. jewellery and land (see [[Lamane]] and [[Lamane Jegan Joof]]).<ref name="Jean"/> The responsibility of the Tokoor is to ensure these assets are used wisely and appropriately. The assets which have been accumulated are rarely, if at all "used to reproduce the means of production". Instead, they form part of the total assets for the purposes of maternal inheritance (''ƭeen yaay''). The heir is only an administrator or custodian of these assets for the benefit of the co-heirs. He is estopped from diverting the maternal wealth from those activities which may benefit the co-heirs.<ref name="Jean"/> In the old Serer tradition, even today, [[cattle]] make up a significant portion of the [[bride price]]. As a result, many Serer matriclans have increased their wealth and power through cattle.<ref name="Jean"/>
{{cquote|[...] wealth, whether achieved initially through individual accumulation as in the [[Anyi people|Agni]] case, or through pooling, as in the [[Serer people|Serer]] case, ultimately results in collective accumulation which preserves the ‘power’ of the community of Co-heirs. In the long run, competition and differentiation take place between matrilineages rather than individuals, and can be better represented in terms of ‘power’ - including demographic strength and symbolic power - than in terms of ‘wealth’.<ref name="Jean"/>
|author=Jean-Marc Gastellu
}}
==Matriclans==
There are several Serer maternal clans. The list of clans given below is not exhausive. Many of these went on to establish royal dynasties in [[Senegambia]] or provided some of the kings of the Senegambia Region. Not all Serer matriclans went on to establish royal dynasties. Others are more mythological in nature.
===Gareh Kareh, Rik & Gogol===
The matriclans Gareh Kareh (variations: ''Garé Karé'', singular ''':''' ''Kareh Kareh'' or ''Karé Karé'') and Rik (singular ''':''' ''Tik'') are two of the old Serer matriclans enshrined in Serer legend, especially the Gareh Kareh, more commonly referred to in academic papers as : ''Karé Karé'' (following its French spelling in Senegal). The Gareh Kareh matriclan is one of the better known Serer matriclans. According to the legend of these two clans, they both came from the same mother but diverged following a calamity. Their divergence is elucidated by the proverb : "[[wiktionary:what goes around comes around|what goes around comes around]]".<ref name="cos">« Myth of Gareh Kareh & Rik » & « Myth of Jolax » [in] Gravrand, Henry, "La Civilisation Sereer - ''Cosaan''", Nouvelles Editions africaines (1983), pp 201-202, {{ISBN|2723608778}}</ref> As of 1983, the total Gareh Kareh clan in Ñakhar Arrondissement is estimated to be 1127, and 1336 for Rik. In Baol, the Gareh Kareh are called Gogol.<ref name="cos 2002"/>
====The legend of Gareh Kareh & Rik====
[[File:Varanus exanthematicus (SqueakyMarmot).jpg|thumb|350px|The [[totem]] of this matri[[clan]] is the [[savannah monitor]], a species of [[monitor lizard]].<ref name="ga"/><ref name="Becker and Cret"/>]]
{{further|Serer creation myth#Crisis and reorganization of the Universe|Kopé Tiatie Cac#Ndut Cosmogony|Ndut initiation rite}}
These two ''Tim'' came from the same mother.<ref name="ga"/> Their animal [[totem]] is the [[savannah monitor]]<ref name="ga">Gravrand, "Cosaan", p 201</ref><ref name="Becker and Cret"/> — ''fasaax''<ref name="Becker and Cret">{{in lang|fr}} Crétois, Léonce , Becker, Charles "Le vocabulaire sereer de la faune", (Editor: Charles Becker), Centre de linguistique appliquée de Dakar (1983), p v</ref> (and/or [[iguana]]<ref name="ga"/>). The Rik are also prohibited from touching the [[guiera senegalensis]] tree  — (the [[Serer creation myth#Nquƭ|sacred NGuƭ tree]]).<ref name="Becker and Cret"/>
When their ancestors were about to die in the bush from thirst, they were guided by an iguana who climbed a [[Adansonia digitata|baobab tree]] and quenched its thirst from the rainwater that had gathered in the hollow chamber of a baobab tree (''mbudaay-baak''<ref>{{in lang|fr}} [[Issa Laye Thiaw|Thiaw, Issa laye]], "Mythe de la création du monde selon les sages sereer", pp 45-50, 59-61 [in] "Enracinement et Ouverture" – "Plaidoyer pour le dialogue interreligieux", [[Konrad Adenauer Stiftung]] (23 and 24 June 2009), Dakar [http://www.kas.de/wf/doc/kas_17308-1522-1-30.pdf?090827174112] (Retrieved : 3 August 2012)</ref> or ''ƥaak''<ref>Kalis, p 292</ref>). It was this animal that led them to a source of water in order to quench their thirst and from then on became the totem of this family. The legend went on to say that the ancestors of this family from then on had an extraordinary power resist [[death]].<ref name="cos"/>
Following a [[famine]] and disease that had ravaged their community, the ancestors of the Gareh Kareh matriclan stood away from the mortal remains in order to prevent the members of their matriclan suffering the same fate. Parents belonging to the other matriclans (''tim'') went to pay their last respects to the dead. The Gareh Kareh matriclan who had a technique for resisting death applied their powers in order to prevent the deaths of other families. All of the eldest sons of the Gareh Kareh family organized a procession from the entrance of the family home to the burial chambers in order to bar death's entry. Four times (the [[number 4]] — symbol of the masculine world in [[Serer creation myth|Serer—numbers and symbolism]]) for a man and three times for a woman (the [[number 3]] — symbol of the feminine world in Serer—numbers and symbolism), they performed this displacement carrying in their hands the stick of the ''Nduy'' tree (proper : ''Ndo'oy'',<ref name="Kalis 291">Kalis, Simone, "Médecine traditionnelle religion et divination chez les Seereer Sine du Senegal", La connaissance de la nuit, L'Harmattan (1997), p 291, {{ISBN|2-7384-5196-9}}</ref> variant : ''Ndooy''<ref name="Ler">{{in lang|fr}} Lericollais, André, « La gestion du paysage ? Sahélisation, surexploitation et délaissement des terroirs sereer au Sénégal », Afrique de l'ouest, [[Dakar]] (21–26 November 1988), ORSTOM, [http://horizon.documentation.ird.fr/exl-doc/pleins_textes/pleins_textes_5/b_fdi_31-32/35248.pdf]. For the name of Serer medicinal plants and their corresponding Latin names, see : ''Ndooy'' page 9 [https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&q=cache:zX0dh2WfBGAJ:horizon.documentation.ird.fr/exl-doc/pleins_textes/pleins_textes_5/b_fdi_31-32/35248.pdf+nqaul+arbre&hl=en&gl=uk&pid=bl&srcid=ADGEESj_zO4iryV5DQot4rwzB5l9rtHNGpt90rXtojjfXytmdYU6-BnhVjOvjQThfX2UVLqqJP5dbcPH6Cs6LETfIBh-jn6BkD1dbw3DePJYvwGxUbxYSMXNqSZUNFrsVDWtnViGxAfE&sig=AHIEtbTGsDUtWqt0HNEu-bHo0qv9bYNagQ] (Retrieved 3 August 2012)</ref> — [[detarium senegalense]]<ref name="Kalis 291"/><ref name="Ler"/>) which they began hitting together in [[syncopation]].  On the last lap, they hit the roof of a burial chamber with the stick to prevent the disease that had killed their father from another matriclan from committing further havoc in the family. The split of the two matriclans occurred after the famine.  During the famine, a Kareh Kareh woman asked for help, which was granted but with contempt and humiliation.<ref name="cos"/> One day, a donor Kareh Kareh sent a little girl carrying a [[calabash]], and said :<ref name="cos"/>
:In [[Serer language|Serer]] ''':''' ''"Reti bis a saxal alé [aleh] o rik olehneh".''
:Translation : "Will carry the calabash little thing."<ref name="cos"/>
Having been called a "little thing", the group seceded and declared that their matriclan would henceforth be known as ''Rik''. The term ''Rik'' means ''"the little thing"''.<ref name="cos"/> This remark is a derogatory remark, made in reference to the other family members but not necessarily directed at the little girl who was of the other matriclan (what became the ''Rik'').
In [[Ndut initiation rite|Ndut classical teachings]], both matriclans are criticized.  There is a special [[circumcision]] song which [[stigmatize]]s the poverty of the Rik and the [[avarice]] of the Gareh Kareh "in one [[quatrain]] without concession"<ref name="cos 2002">Gravran, "Cosaan", p 202</ref> ''':'''
In serer ''':'''
:''"Rik a paanga naak''
:''baa mbar o mbambe''
:''Gare Kare [Gareh Kareh] mbaaxeer,''
:''a mbar o mbusu!"''<ref name="cos 2002"/>
Translation ''':'''
:The Rik finished their cows,
:And kill a kid!
:The Gareh Kareh are worthless!
:They kill an [[ox]]!
===Jolax===
[[File:Passer melanurus (2 males).jpg|thumb|150px|Male [[Cape sparrow]]s.]]
Like the Gareh Kareh, the Jolax (var : ''Diolah'', [[singular number|singular]] : ''Colax''<ref name="cos"/> ) is one of the old Serer matriclans. Unlike the Gareh Kareh though, this matriclan is one of the most feared according to Serer legend because of their long involvement in the occult and the [[supernatural powers]] to use [[black magic|undesirable magic]] if they find the need to do so.<ref name="cos"/>
Their totem is the [[passer|African sparrow]].<ref name="Becker and Cret"/> It is from this animal that they take their name from — ''Jolax'' (sparrow).<ref name="cos"/><ref name="Becker and Cret"/> It is reported that this matriclan does not appear to have many members. As of 1983, only 375 people are reported to be members of this matriclan, mostly concentrated in the [[Arrondissements of Senegal|arrondissement]] of [[Niakhar Arrondissement|Ñakhar]] (in [[Senegal]]).<ref name="cos"/> The Jolax along with the Siañ', Pedior and Taa'boor clans are classified as part of the Coofaan group (var : ''Tiofane'' or ''Tiofan'').<ref name="BIFAN 1983 p 359"/>
===Simala===
The Simala are one of the three main Serer matriclans, the other two being ''Fatik'' and ''Koyeh'' (var : ''Koyé''). The Simala are also usually referred to as the ''"men of the [[sea]]".'' What is known about this matriclan comes from the Serer oral tradition. According to the tradition, the ancestors of this clan were the Serers of Kaabu. Their ancestors came from Kaabu by sea. Having negotiated the rivers of Kaabu to the sea, they skirted the [[Atlantic Ocean|Atlantic coast]] around the north, just to the [[Saloum Delta]]. From there, they headed to the ''marigot''<ref>A small [[stream]]</ref> of Simal — the [[River source|upstream]] of [[Ndangane|N'Dangane]]. It is there they decided to settle and founded the village of Simal in the [[ria]]s bend.<ref name="cos 2002"/><ref name="Dup 119"/> Their earliest descendants later spread to the pre-colonial [[Kingdom of Sine]], living around the ''Fatik'', just to the north of the city of [[Fatick]]. The Simala and their allies (''maasir'') collectively make up the densest of all the ''tim'' in terms of population spread. Around Sagne in Senegal, they collectively represent  43.29% of the total population, and in [[Niakhar Arrondissement|Ñakhar Arrondissement]], about 20.81% (1983 estimates). However, the Simala are not well represented in the north of Sine. In the [[Kingdom of Baol]], where they are also present, their clan is called ''Rada Rada''. The totem of this family is the black snake (''Saamaand'').<ref name="cos 2002"/> This matrilineal family who live by fishing, have an old tie to the [[sea]]. Their ancestors used to [[Water deity|worship the sea]], which many of them they still do.<ref name="Dup 119"/> Tradition dictates that, the death of a Simala brings [[common cold]].<ref name="lam"/><ref name="Becker and Cret"/><ref name="Dup 119"/>
===Fatik===
There are various branches of the Fatik (or ''Fatick'') matriclan which spread from the [[Kingdom of Sine]] to [[Saloum]] and beyond (see below —: Siañ, Xuter, Siwaña & Fata Fata).  Like the Simala, it is one of the principal Serer matriclans.<ref name="cos 2002"/> The city of [[Fatick]] in Senegal, and the [[Fatick Region|region by the same name]] derive their names from the Serer term ''"Fati Ubadik"'' - which means ''"we have more to go".''<ref>{{in lang|fr}} Université Cheikh Anta Diop, Faculté des Lettres et Sciences Humaines, Département d'Histoire, "Ñirohmol, un village déserté du Diokoul (Saloum) (XIV<sup>e</sup>-XX<sup>e</sup> siècle) : histoire et archéologie", p 24</ref>
====Siañ, Xuter, Siwaña & Fata Fata====
These four matriclans are of the same family. They are called by different names depending on which part of Serer country one finds oneself in. In the Kingdom of Sine, they are called ''Siañ''; in the [[Kingdom of Baol]], they are called ''Xuter''; in the [[Petite Côte]], they are referred to as ''Siwaña'' or ''Fata Fata''. The name ''Fata Fata'' is commonly found in scholarly works. As a group, their narrative is found within the legend of Siañ, which posits that, the animal totem of their clan is the [[pelican]].<ref name="cos 200"/> The Siwaña and Fata Fata used to belong to the same matriclan. Division of this matriclan occurred when their ancestors started to quarrel over a [[fish]] ([[Mullet (fish)|mullet]] to be exact, called ''"a carox"'' in Serer). Having divided the fish among themselves, they then separated forever, hence the different names. Their custom dictates that, members of this matriclan[s] are prohibited from eating any part of the ''Njenje'' tree ([[erythrina senegalensis]]<ref>{{in lang|fr}} ''Njenje'' [in] ALFOUTIYOU [http://www.alfoutiyou.fr.gd/PLANTES-MEDECINALES%3C-ar-__DEBUT-WEBOSCOPE-FREE-_-Weborama-__%3E%3C-ar-__DEBUT-WEBOSCOPE-FREE-_-Weborama-__%3E-.htm PLANTES MEDECINALES] (note spelling error) — (Retrieved : 3 August 2012)</ref> — part of [[erythrina]]), whose leaves can lead to a [[Mental breakdown|nervous breakdown]] among this clan, according to their beliefs.<ref name="cos 200"/> Collectively, their total number in Niakhar as of 1983 is reported to be 1590, making them the sixth most important Serer matriclan in terms of numerical strength.<ref name="cos 200">« Myth of Siañ » [in] Gravrand, "Cosaan", p 200</ref> Along with their totem, the Siwaña are also prohibited from touch the [[Nile monitor|Nile monitor lizard]] (''cas'').<ref name="Becker and Cret"/>
The Fata Fata are also referred to as ''Pata Fata'' (var : ''Patafata''<ref name="Dup 119"/>), ''Pata Pata'' or ''Patik''.<ref>[[Université Cheikh Anta Diop]], Faculté des Lettres et Sciences Humaines, Département d'Histoire, "[[Ñirohmol]], un village déserté du [[Diokoul]] ([[Saloum]]) (XIV<sup>e</sup>-XX<sup>e</sup> siècle): histoire et archéologie", (2001), p 110</ref> The ''Patik'' matriclan founded the village of [[Ñirohmol]], now practically a deserted village of [[Diokoul]] in the Serer pre-colonial [[Kingdom of Saloum]].<ref name="Niro p 26">Université Cheikh Anta Diop, Faculté des Lettres et Sciences Humaines, Département d'Histoire, "Ñirohmol, un village déserté du Diokoul (Saloum) (XIV<sup>e</sup>-XX<sup>e</sup> siècle): histoire et archéologie", (2001), p 26</ref> As with some Serer matriclans, the Patik are referred to by different names depending on region. Among the [[Niominka people|Serer Niominka]] (a sub-group of the Serers) of [[Gandoul]], this matriclan is referred to as Pata Pata. In other parts of Serer country such as Boyard, Dioffior and Fadial, the matriclan is called ''Fatick'' or ''Fatik''.<ref name="Niro p 26"/> The Pata Fata invokes the myth of the heroine Bandé Nambo (var : Bande Ñambo), herself affiliated to the Pata Pata or Pata Fata (i.e. Fata Fata) matriclan. These are terms used by the Serers of [[Kingdom of Saloum|Saloum]] to designate the Fatik matriclan (of [[Kingdom of Sine|Sine]])<ref name="Niro p 30">Université Cheikh Anta Diop, Faculté des Lettres et Sciences Humaines, Département d'Histoire, "Ñirohmol, un village déserté du Diokoul (Saloum) (XIV<sup>e</sup>-XX<sup>e</sup> siècle): histoire et archéologie", (2001), p 30</ref>
Bande Ñambo was a member of the Serer [[Sarr family|patrilineage Sarr]] and the matrilineage Pata Fata.<ref>"Bulletin. serie B: Sciences humaines, Volume 41" (1979), p 745</ref> She was not the founder of this matriclan but one of the [[:Category:Serer matriarchs|Serer matriarchs]]. She is regarded as a princess or founder of [[Gandun]].<ref>Gravrand, "Cosaan", p 181</ref> Whilst the Simala matriclan are associated with the sea, the Pata Fata are regarded as the masters of salines (''fata'').<ref name="Dup 119"/>
===Koyeh===
The Koyeh (var : ''Koyé'' or ''Koyer'') make up the third of the main three matriclans. They are generally referred to as the ''"men of [[Juncus|rushes]]"''.<ref name="cos 2002"/> As of 1983, the Koyeh, Fatik and Simila collectively make up 20.81% of the residents of Ñakhar Arrondissement.<ref name="cos 2002"/>
===Cegandum & Kagaw===
{{further|Serer religion|Roog|Koox|Pangool}}
The historical narrative of the ''Cegandum'' (var : ''Tiégandoum'',<ref>{{in lang|fr}} "Bulletin de l'Institut fondamental d'Afrique noire: Sciences humaines, Volume 45", [[Institut fondamental d'Afrique noire]], IFAN (1983), pp 387, 398, 401</ref>  [[plural]] ''':''' ''Jegandum'') and ''Kagaw'' (plural ''':''' ''Gagaw'') is found within the [[hermeneutics]] of [[Serer religion]] and [[traditions]]. They are believed by many to be two of the [[Timeline of Serer history|proto-Serer]] matriclans.<ref>BIFAN (1983), pp 387-401</ref><ref name="Cosaan p 200">Gravrand, "Cosaan", p 200</ref> The major elements of the historical narrative of these two is summarized as follows ''':'''
:1. One engages in cannibalism unknowingly,<ref name="Cosaan p 200"/><ref name="Leon"/>
:2. [[Roog]], the supreme transcendental principle entity (whom some [[Cangin languages|Cangin]]s believe to be [[Koox]]) intervenes,<ref name="Cosaan p 200"/><ref name="Leon"/>
:3. One is afforded the [[Pangool|highest spiritual honour in Serer religion]].<ref name="Cosaan p 200"/><ref name="Leon">«  The myth of Cegandum and Kaw » [in] Henry Gravrand, "La civilisation Sereer - ''Cosaan''" p 200 [in] Diouf, Léon, "Eglise locale et crise africaine: le diocèse de Dakar", KARTHALA Editions (2001), p 147, {{ISBN|2845861710}} {{in lang|fr}}  [https://books.google.com/books?id=dIu9nCoK2IUC&dq=Cegandum&pg=PA147] (Retrieved : 3 August 2012)</ref>
====The legend of Cegandum & Kagaw====
The ''Cegandum'' matriclan used to lived with the ''Kagaw''. One day a [[famine]] broke out. Two members of these matriclans travelled a long distance (accomapanying each other) in search of food. Due to hunger and fatigueness, the Cegandum fell to the ground and was unable to move. The Kagaw clan member was powerless to help his companion because there was no food in the vicinity. He laid his companion down and begged him to wait whilst he go and look for food. Having walked some distance away from the sight of his companion, he cut a piece of his thigh muscle, made himself a fire, cooked the human flesh and took it to his companion (the Cegandum) to eat. The Cegandum ate it without knowing he was eating a human flesh. Having recovered his strength, they both carried off walking. Having walked some distance, the Kagaw began to lose blood and suddenly collapsed. The Cegandum asked him what the problem was and the Kagaw replied in the following terms ''':'''
{{cquote|The meat that you have eaten to save your life. It is this wound that prevents me from walking.}}
The Cegandum was unable to save his companion from his condition. At this moment, [[Roog]], the supreme deity in Serer religion, intervened, and opened the heaveans. A heavy [[rain]] befell. This holy water not only nourished them but also healed the wound of the Kagaw.<ref name="Cosaan p 200"/><ref name="Leon"/> From that day on, Serer oral tradition generally refer to the Gagaw matriclan as ''Fog Roog'', an endering term meaning kindred and friends of Roog. Although [[Roog|Roog has no cousins or parents]], Serer religion and oral tradition lends support to the closeness between the Gagaw clan and the Divine. They both posit that, "the Gagaw matriclan were the first worshippers of Roog and the first to possess [[supernatural powers]] to perform [[miracles]]." They went on to say that, "the day the entire Gagaw clan die, rainfall will no longer be plentiful."<ref name="Cosaan p 200"/><ref name="Leon"/> The Jegandum have two totems : a type of [[snake]] called ''Cocom'' in Serer, and the striped—[[bull]] (''Mbac'').<ref name="Cosaan p 200"/> They are also prohibited from working on Sundays but this is believed to be a recent addition.<ref name="Becker and Cret"/> In the arrondissement of Ñakhar, at least 1744 and 2050  inhabitants are reported to members of the Jegandum and Kagaw matriclan respectively (1983 figures).<ref name="Cosaan p 200"/>
Although the Cegandum and Kagaw narrative is well enshrined in Serer religion and tradition, a different matriclan known as Bagadu or Bagadou in Serer, and more commonly referred to as Wagadou (or Wagadu) brings a different dimension to the well established narrative. According to the advocates of the Bagadou matriclan, the historical adventure following the famine was between a Kagaw and a Bagadou (and not a Cegandum). However, this is not the generally accepted [[worldview|view]]. The Bagadou matriclan were a maternal dynasty in [[:Category:Serer royalty|Serer]] and [[:Category:Senegambian royalty|Senegambian medieval dynastic history]] (see ''Wagadou & Jaafun'' below). They have no significance in Serer religion. By trying to associate the Bagadou with the Kagaw, it is merely regarded as attempting to bestow religious legitimacy to the Bagadous. However, it is suggested that, the three matriclans Kagaw, Cegandum and Bagadou are allies.<ref name="Cosaan p 200"/>
===Joofaan===
{{main|Joof family|Pangool|Lamane Jegan Joof|Tukar}}
This matriclan is linked to an early ancestor from the [[Joof family]], and at Faoye (in [[Senegal]]), it is still the members from the Joof patrilineage who are the head of this matriclan (as of 2002).<ref>Faye & Diop, "Contribution a l'étude de l'histoire de Fa-oy des origines aux grandes migrations (XIIIe - XXe siècle): approche historique et ethnographique", pp 66-8, 134</ref> Like [[Lamane Jegan Joof|their Lamanic paternal ancestor]] who is associated with a Serer saint — i.e. the justicer [[Pangool#List of Serer Pangool|Fangool—Lunguñ Joof]],<ref>Gravrand, "Pangool", pp 342-3, 349</ref> this matriclan is also revered in [[Serer religion]], in particular, through the Serer [[Pangool]]. Although the ''Fangool''<ref>''Fangool'' is the singular of [[Pangool]].</ref> Ngolum Joof (another ''Fangool'' from this family) is one of those [[Pangool#Types|ancient Pagool requiring a blood sacrifice]] (i.e. [[cattle]]), the totem of this matriclan forbids a blood sacrifice.<ref>{{in lang|fr}} Faye, Amade., &  Agence de coopération culturelle et technique, "Le thème de la mort dans la littérature Seereer: Essai", Nouvelles éditions africaines du Sénégal (1997), p 28, {{ISBN|2723611078}}</ref>
===Soos===
The origin of this clan is [[Mandé peoples|Mandé]]. For several centuries (i.e. from the [[medieval era]]) this matriclan formed as much alliances with many Serer matriclans as it possibly could, through marriage.<ref name="Cos 199"/>
The Soos (or ''Sos'') have become so "Sererized" and assimilated that most facets of their Mandé origin has been lost. The Soos assimilation to Serer culture is regarded by some scholars as sheer evidence of strong Serer culture. However, the Soos are few of those matriclans who became Serer through marriage, yet, held in high esteem especially in the Serer oral tradition. The Soos are one of the most well known Serer matriclans. For several centuries, they have formed a permanent fixture in Serer culture and country.<ref name="Cos 199"/> According to their tradition, a Soos is [[totem|prohibited]] from touching a [[partridge]] (''ceбel'' in Serer)<ref name="lam"/><ref name="Becker and Cret"/> or the Nile monitor lizard (''cas'' in Serer).<ref name="Becker and Cret"/>
===Peƴoor===
{{main|States headed by ancient Serer Lamanes|Lamane|Saltigue}}
The Peƴoor matriclan is one of the old Serer matriclans who are believed to have held sacred powers especially over the environment, in particular marine life. It is suggested that, this matriclan held great economic power right until the Guelowars' arrival in [[Kingdom of Sine|Sine]] (in 1335<ref name="Sarr"/>).<ref name="Dup 119"/> The Peƴoor matriclan acquired substantial estate in Serer country especially in Sine.<ref name="Dup 119">Dupire, "Sagesse sereer: Essais sur la pensée sereer ndut", p 119</ref> Forest burning in order to acquire estates (''day'' or ''lamanat'') was very common among this family. According to Serer tradition, this matriclan are believed to be ''masters of fire and rain'', roles primarily reserved for the [[States headed by ancient Serer Lamanes|ancient Lamanes]] or [[Lamane|Lamanic class]] and the [[Saltigue]]s respectively.<ref>See : Galvan, "The State must be our Master of Fire"</ref> This makes them one of few if not the only matriclan who are associated with "mastery of fire and land" which are usually associated with the Lamanes, themselves considered the masters of the [[Earth]], inherited through the patrilineal line. The tradition went on to say that, the presence of a clan member would activate a fire and the rain would accompany his death, which only their priests (''[[Pangool#Terminology|yaal pangol]]'') can stop.<ref name="Dup 119"/>
===Caxanora===
Somewhat linked to the Peƴoor matriclan, the proto-Caxanora matriclan (variations : ''Caxanoora''<ref name="Becker and Cret"/> or ''o Tahanora''<ref name="lam"/>) are afforded supernatural powers in Serer mythology and legend. According to their myth, they were once believed to possess the power to command the sea and fish at [[Fadiouth]] and south of the [[Palmarin]], where they are still present. Their priests were  required to take a plunge to the river in order to make offerings to the Fangool ''Mama Ngec'' who resides in the [[inlet|arms of the sea]] of [[Joal-Fadiouth|Joal and Fadiouth]]. This custom is still practice by the high priests of this clan. Mama Ngec, the supernatural entity, is ritually venerated in order to increase [[fishing]] or in times of [[drought]].<ref name="Dup 119"/> Like the Gareh Kareh and Rik (see above), a Caxanora is forbidden from touching a [[savannah monitor]] (it is totemic).<ref name="lam"/><ref name="Becker and Cret"/>
The Caxanoras are related to the ''Pufun'' matriclan as well as the Coofaan clan of Saloum. They are regarded as the same clan. They merely branched out and adopted different names.<ref name="lam"/> Whilst the death of a Simala brings common cold according to the Serer myth, the death of a Caxanora leads to dying fish spread along the [[shore]]lines.<ref name="lam"/><ref name="Becker and Cret"/>
===Wagadou & Jaafun===
{{main|Timeline of Serer history#8th century|Serer history (medieval era to present)|Joof family}}
The Wagadous (Serer : ''Bagadou'', other variations ''Wagadu'' or ''Ougadou'') originally came from the Kingdom of Wagadou in the early [[medieval era]], affiliated to King [[Kaya Magan Cissé]] whose descendants went on to establish the [[Ghana Empire]] (see [[Soninke people]]).<ref>Gravrand, "Cosaan", pp 75-6, 155</ref><ref>Boulègue, pp 39-40</ref> The Wagadou princesses were married off to the Serer nobility such as the [[Joof family]] etc., and they jointly ruled the [[Kingdom of Baol]] along with other [[:Category:History of Senegambia|Senegambian pre-colonial states]].<ref name="Phil">{{in lang|en}} Phillips, Lucie Colvin, "Historical dictionary of Senegal", [[Scarecrow Press]] (1981), pp 52-71 {{ISBN|0-8108-1369-6}}</ref><ref>{{in lang|fr}} Institut fondamental d'Afrique noire,  Bulletin de l'Institut fondamental d'Afrique noire, Volume 38, IFAN (1976), pp 557-504</ref> By 1350, the [[Serer history (medieval era to present)|Wagadou Maternal Dynasty collapsed in many Serer countries]] especially in Sine. However, they continued to rule in many parts of [[Senegambia]] including Baol and [[Cayor]]. The mother of the first "true"<ref name="Det">Deche Fou Njoogu (var : Détié Fou Ndiogou) - father of Amari Ngoneh did not rule long. He died too early. He was a Wagadou (var : ''Ouagadou''). See Brigaud (1964), pp 22-3</ref> [[Damel]] of Cayor — Amari Ngoneh Sobell Faal (or Amari Ngoné Sobel Fall) was a Wagadou. Her name was [[Lingeer]] Ngoneh Sobell Njie<ref>Variation : For Amari Sobell's mother (Ngoneh Sobell Njie - also spelled ''Ngoné Ndiaye'') and Wagadou spelled ''Ouagadou'', see : Brigaud, 1964, pp 22-3</ref> (from the [[Njie family]]).<ref>{{in lang|fr}} Brigaud, Félix, "Histoire du Sénégal: Des origines aux traités de protectorat", Clair-afrique (1964), pp 22-3</ref> Like the Guelowars (see below), this matriclan was assimilated to Serer culture through marriage.<ref name="Phil"/>
The Wagadous of Sine are related to the ''Lokam'' matriclan of [[Joal]] and the ''Wagan'' (Serer proper : ''Waagaan''<ref name="Becker and Cret"/>) clan of Saloum. Though the Lokam and Wagan clan take their names from the Serer language, they are usually regarded as the same clan or extended relatives of the Wagadous.<ref name="lam"/> The Wagadous hold no importance in [[Serer ancient history]], [[Serer creation myth|mythology]] or [[Serer religion|religion]] (see [[Serer maternal clans#The legend of Cegandum & Kagaw|the legend of Cegandum & Kagaw]]" above),<ref name="Cosaan p 200"/> however, they form a major part of [[Serer history (medieval era to present)|Serer medieval]] and [[:Category:Serer royalty|dynastic]] history. Boulègue postulates that, the Jaafuns (Serer proper : ''Jaafuñ'', other variation : ''Diafoune''<ref name="Bif"/>) are Soninkes and thus linked to the Wagadous.<ref name="Bo 40">Boulègue, Jean, "Le Grand Jolof, (XVIII<sup>e</sup> - XVI<sup>e</sup> Siècle)", (Paris, Edition Façades), Karthala (1987), p 40</ref> He went on to speculate that they (the Jaafuns) may have taken their name from the Soninke state of Jaafunu, located in the south-west of Wagadu, founded by a son of the founder of Wagadou in the medieval era.<ref name="Bo 40"/>
Although both have no significance in term of Serer religion or mythology,<ref name="Cosaan p 200"/> in Serer country, they have adopted as their family totem the [[Serer creation myth#Mbos|Mbos or Mboosé tree, one of the sacred trees enshrined in Serer cosmogony]] and [[Ndut initiation rite|Ndut classical teachings]].<ref name="lil">{{in lang|fr}} Kesteloot, Lilyan, Veirman, Anja, "Le mboosé: mythe de fondation et génie protecteur de Kaolack", IFAN (2006), p 36</ref> The Jaafuns, like their Wagadou relatives are one of the medieval Serer matriclans with strong royal ties especially to the [[Kingdom of Baol]]<ref>Kesteloot, Lilyan, & Veirman, Anja, p 57</ref> where they married the Serer patrilineages who ruled by the Serer title [[Teigne (title)|Teigne]].<ref>Boulègue, p 39</ref>
===Joos===
{{main|Joos Maternal Dynasty}}
The [[Joos Maternal Dynasty]] originated from the Serer pre-colonial [[Kingdom of Sine]]. The earliest recorded ancestor of the Joos clan is [[Lingeer Fatim Beye]] (c. 1335). Her grand daughter  — [[Lingeer Ndoye Demba]] established this dynasty in [[Waalo]] in the 14th century (c. 1367) after she was married off to the king of Waalo — [[Brak (African kings)|Brak]] Caaka Mbaar. The Joos Dynasty of Waalo lasted for nearly 600 years, and collapsed in 1855, the year Waalo fell to the French. The Joos as a matriclan goes back to [[Lamane|Lamanic]] times.
===Guelowar===
{{main|Guelowar}}
The [[Guelowar]]s were originally from the Kingdom of [[Kaabu]]. They were allegedly defeated by the powerful [[Ñaanco]] Maternal Dynasty at the so-called Battle of eignebang in 1335,<ref name="Sarr">[[Alioune Sarr|Sarr, Alioune]], "Histoire du Sine-Saloum (Sénégal), Introduction, bibliographie et notes par Charles Becker. Version légèrement remaniée par rapport à celle qui est parue en 1986-87. p 19"</ref>  an alleged dynastic war between the [[dynasty|royal house]]s of Guelowar and Ñaanco. In reporting this tradition, [[Henry Gravrand]] did not notice that this is actually a description of the 1867 (or 1865) [[Battle of Kansala]] although the departure of the Guelowar can probably be explained by a war or a conflict of succession.<ref name="Sarr p 19">[[Alioune Sarr|Sarr, Alioune]], ''Histoire du Sine-Saloum (Sénégal)'' Introduction, bibliographie et notes par Charles Becker. 1986-87, p 19</ref> After their defeat tradition says that they escaped from Kaabu, the country of their birth, and went to Sine where they were granted asylum by the [[Lamane|Serer council of Lamanes]].<ref name="Sarr"/><ref name="Ngom"/> The Guelowar women were married off to the Serer nobility and they assimilated to Serer culture and traditions. These royal marriages created the Guelowar Maternal Dynasty of Sine and Saloum which lasted for 600 years (1350 <ref name="Sarr"/> — 1969 in [[Kingdom of Sine|Sine]],<ref>The last king of Sine was [[Maad a Sinig Mahecor Joof]] who died in 1969. See {{in lang|fr}} [[Louis Diène Faye|Faye, Louis Diène]]. ''Mort et Naissance le monde Sereer.'' Les Nouvelles Editions Africaines, 1983. {{ISBN|2-7236-0868-9}}. p 59</ref><ref name="Klein">{{in lang|en}} Klein, Martin A, "Islam and Imperialism in Senegal [[Sine-Saloum]], 1847-1914." [[Edinburgh University Press]] (1968), p XV"</ref> and 1493 <ref>{{in lang|fr}} 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</ref> — 1969 in [[Kingdom of Saloum|Saloum]]<ref name="Klein"/>). Some sources suggests that, Yembe Kame Guélaware is the matriarch or earliest known maternal ancestor of this matriclan.<ref name="Ngom"/><ref name="ifan">{{in lang|fr}} [[Institut Fondamental d'Afrique Noire|Centre I.F.A.N.]] ([[Senegal|Sénégal]]). Ministère de l'éducation nationale, C.R.D.S. (Sénégal), "Connaissance du Sénégal", ''Part 1'', Centre I.F.A.N. (Sénégal) (1962), p 268</ref> Yembe Kame Guélaware was a [[Queen Consort]] (''Maisata'') of Bala Diakha - a medieval king ([[Mansa (title)|Mansa]]) of one of the provinces of Kaabu. The year of reign for Bala Diakha and Yembe Kame Guélaware is uncertain, but they are believed to have preceded [[Tiramakhan Traore|Mansa Tiramakan Traore]] (one of [[Sundiata Keita]]'s generals in the 13th century, c. 1235) who later conquered Kaabu.<ref name="Ngom"/><ref name="ifan"/> Other sources suggests they were the maternal descendants of princess Tenemba.<ref name="Ngom">{{in lang|fr}} Ngom, Biram: "La question Gelwaar et l’histoire du Siin", [[Dakar]], [[University of Dakar|Université de Dakar]], (1987) [http://ethiopiques.refer.sn/spip.php?article1244] (Retrieved 1 August 2012)</ref><ref>{{in lang|fr}} Girard,Jean, "L'or du Bambouk: une dynamique de civilisation ouest-africaine", Georg (1992), pp 206-8, {{ISBN|2825704512}} (Note error in referring to the word ''Guelowar'' as a Wolof word. It is not Wolof.)</ref> In [[Serer history (medieval era to present)|Serer medieval history to the present]], the Guelowars are regarded as the last of the Serer matriclans. Unlike the proto-Serer matriclans who hold religious significance and enshrined in Serer legend, the Guelowars are merely viewed as the last maternal dynasty in [[:Category:Serer pre-colonial kingdoms|Serer kingdoms]] but hold no religious significance in Serer religion or legend.<ref>Dupire, "Sagesse sereer: Essais sur la pensée sereer ndut", pp 110, 119, 121</ref> Any link between the Serers and Guelowars prior to the Battle of Troubang is suggested to have taken place in Kaabu between the [[Timeline of Serer history#Chalcolithic period|ancestors of the Serers of Kaabu]] and ancestors of the Guelowars.<ref>Dupire, "Sagesse sereer: Essais sur la pensée sereer ndut", p 118</ref><ref>Gravrand, Henry, "La civilisation Sereer, Pangool", p 10</ref>
===Mouïoy===
====The legend of the Mouïoy brothers====
{{main|Serer religion#Murder}}
According to Serer oral tradition, the first Mouïoys were two brothers of [[nobility#"Blue" blood|noble birth]], the eldest of which was destined to become a king. However, in his youth, he (the eldest) killed a man from a foreign family. In that distance past, [[Serer religion#Murder|Serer religious law dictates that a murderer must pay with blood]] for his action or in certain cases, deliver himself or a family member to the victims family to work in servitude if that is the will of the victim's family in a [[criminal law|murder hearing]] for the purposes of [[tort]]. The killer failed to deliver himself to the grieving family. As he had no one to deliver other than his younger brother, the young man was delivered to the victim's family. Instead of the victim's family killing the young man, he was held in servitude for his older brother's deed. Without rest, the young man was required to work all day, and at night, he was chained in the most inhabitable hut. He spent most of his youth in servitude.<ref name="cos 205-6"/>
The Serer tradition is silent on whether this foreign family were royals from a foreign land or not. However, it did went on to say that when the older brother took power in the country and became the king, he thought about liberating his younger brother, and accordingly, organized a great army to liberate him from servitude. The younger brother was successfully liberated and brought back to the palace. However, the stigma of servitude especially for a royal prince was unpalatable for the Serer community of that era, and he was regarded as nothing more than a liberated serf in spite of his royal blood. Therefore, the ambition of becoming a king one day was unlikely. As such, the younger brother's altered his royal ambitions from kingship to becoming a member of local government or even a military commander. He settled near the palace in order to part take in constitutional affairs as much as he was possibly allowed. A man who was gifted with wisdom and supernatural powers became the father of two Mouïoys. This man, regarded as the ''Tokoor'' of the clan, had before his death hidden a secret [[talisman]] in a special place within the palace so no one can gain access to it and reveal the powers contained therein. Due to an influx of visitors to the palace, the older brother took the charms to his younger brother for safe keeping. As such, the younger brother became the guardian of the family's secrets.  Before going to a military campaign, the king (the elder brother) would slip the secret charms ([[rooster#Religion and spiritual belief systems|rooster]]) in his younger brother's case for sacred washing and [[divination]] consultations.  The younger brother who had gradually become  a competent [[oracle|soothsayer]] was able to interpret the divination material. He used a [[Mortar and pestle|pestle]] that he would place in equilibrium near the [[shrine|sacred places]]. If it remains standing, that signifies that the omens were favorable. If on the hand it drops, that signifies bad omen as it means that the king would not only suffer a severe defeat in war, but would also be killed in battle. The young brother's newly acquired powers earned him great respect and favour at least in his older brother's eyes. However, the esteem and respect afforded to him by his older brother was not matched by the Serer community of that era, who still regarded him as a liberated serf. When his elder brother died, not only was he barred from succeeding his late brother, but his entire descendants were barred from ascending to the throne. He "languished in grief" and later died. The Mouïoys that later ruled parts of the [[Senegambia|Senegambia Region]] were not from his [[line of descent|direct line]].<ref name="cos 205-6"/>
===Beye===
Beye<ref name="Be"/> (also ''Bey'' or ''Bèye'' following its French spelling in [[Senegal]]) is both a [[:Category:Surnames of Serer origin|Serer surname]] as well as a Serer matriclan. This matriclan gained particular prominence in Cayor and Baol (who ruled by the titles [[Damel]] and [[Teigne (title)|Teigne]] respectively) especially in the later part of the 17th century. They were more successful in Baol than in Cayor where they provided one Damel by the name of Dé Tialao - the [[Blindness|blind]] king who tried to conceal his [[physical disability]] but was later found out and deposed (reigned : 1693 — 1697<ref name="Be">Brigaud (1964), p 63</ref>).<ref>Brigaud (1964), p 24</ref><ref>{{in lang|fr}} Fall, Tanor Latsoukabé, "Recueil sur la Vie des Damel", Introduit et commenté par C. Becker et V. Martin, BIFAN, Tome 36, Série B, n° 1, janvier 1974</ref> The demise of this maternal dynasty was not merely due to the [[discrimination]] of Dé Tialao, but also coincided with the introduction of a new maternal dynasty of Cayor and Baol (the establishment of the Geej Maternal Dynasty).<ref name="Ngoneh"/><ref name="Bassine Soureh">Brigaud, p 22</ref>
===Geej===
The Geej (many variations : ''Guedj'' or ''Gedj'') matriclan gained prominence in the late 17th century. The Serer princess —[[Lingeer]] Ngoneh Jaye (var : Ngoné Dièye) of the [[Jaye family]] of Saloum was the mother of [[Damel]]–[[Teigne (title)|Teigne]] Latsoukabe Ngoneh Faal (the king of Cayor and Baol).<ref name="Ngoneh"/> Having battled against his paternal half brothers and cousins, this king (Latsoukabe) introduced the Geej clan (his own matriclan) to his realm, thus making it the reigning maternal dynasty of both [[Cayor]] and [[Baol]].<ref name="Ngoneh"/> From 1697 to the late 19th century (the period both countries fell to the French), the Geej was the main reigning maternal dynasty of these countries. This matriclan has provided several Senegambian kings including [[Lat Dior|Lat Jorr Ngoneh Latir Jobe]], one of the better known kings of 19th century [[:Category:Senegambian royalty|Senegambian royalty]].
The Geej family of Cayor and Baol are related to the Soos family of Sine and Saloum, the country of their birth. They are usually regarded as extended relatives.<ref name="lam">{{in lang|fr}} Lamoise, LE P., "Grammaire de la langue Serer" (1873)</ref>
===Gaanguuna===
{{see also|Diakhao}}
The Gaanguuna ([[singular number|sing]] : ''O Kaanguuna'') are most numerous in [[Kingdom of Sine|Sine]] and make up the fifth largest matriclan in [[Niakhar Arrondissement]]. According to their [[family history|family legend and history]], they claim descent from an ancient and invisible power — ''Kangeer'', one of the [[Pangool]] in [[Serer religion]]. The Gaanguuna clan are responsible for the Kangeer sacrifices to the ancient royal [[Lingeer]] (queen) who is reported to have bursted at the time of her death without pouring blood. Kangeer, who was an ancient queen and canonized as Pangool, is one of the most respected and venerated Pangool in [[Diakhao]] in Sine as well as the more ancient localities such as Fa Yil (also in the Sine), where this clan are also present. This matriclan precides over the religious affairs and sacrifices to the cult of Kangeer.<ref name="cos 2002"/>
===Other matriclans===
The following are some of the other major matriclans :
*Taa'boor matriclan (var : Tabor) — their clan is [[Pangool#List of Serer Pangool|linked to the Pangool ''Laga Ndong'', whose libation is headed by this]] maternal family.<ref>Gravrand, "Pangool", p 352</ref>
*Sass<ref name="Dup mult">Dupire, "L'Egalitarisme économique des Serer du Sénégal", pp 519, 520 & 535</ref> or Saas — the name for their clan is linked to the [[Serer creation myth#Saas|Saas tree which is enshrined in Serer cosmogony]].
*Didink<ref name="Dup mult"/>
*Bangai<ref name="Dup mult"/>
*Siagne<ref name="Dup mult"/>
*Biban<ref name="Dup mult"/>
*Tied<ref name="Dup mult"/>
*Tioka<ref name="BIFAN 1983 p 359"/>
*Baling<ref name="Bif">BIFAN (1983), pp 385-6</ref>
==Alliances (''Maasir'')==
Alliances (''maasir'') between matriclans which are [[historical]] in nature was, and still is prevalent. Some of the most well known matrilineal alliances are given below. ''':'''
:1. The Coofaan group which includes : the Coofaan, Siañ, Pedior (also : ''Feejoor'' or ''Peeĵoor''), Taa'boor and Jolax (or ''Diolah'') are allies of the Gareh Kareh, Kogol, Haleh (or ''Halé''), Rik, Lumel, Saas (or ''Sass''), Tioka and Sasan.<ref name="BIFAN 1983 p 359"/>
:2. The Kagaw are allies of the Cegandum and Wagadou (or Bagadou).<ref name="Cosaan p 200"/>
:3. The Joofaan are allies with the Feejoor (''Peeĵoor''<ref name="Becker and Cret"/> or ''Pedior''); the Waale have a bond of cousinage with the Rik and the Simala are allies with the Wagadou<ref name="Fa"/>
:4. The Gaanguuna are a major allies of the Simala.<ref name="cos 2002"/>
:5. The Soos are allies of the Jegandum, Kagaw, Coofaan, Taa'boor, Jaxanora, Siañ and Wagadou.<ref name="Cos 199">Gravrand, "Cosaan", p 199</ref>
==Surnames of matriclans==
The [[Serer people]] do not carry the surnames of their matriclans but they know them.<ref name="lam2">Lamoise (1873)</ref> The following table gives some of the [[matrilineality|matri]][[clan]]s, their [[totem]]ic observances / [[myth]]s and [[surnames]] ''':'''
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Matriclan!! Totemic observance / myth !! Surname of the clan
|-
| Peeĵoor<ref name="Becker and Cret"/> (var : ''Pedor'',<ref name="lam2"/> singular : ''Feeĵoor'') ||  The death of a Pedor will bring [[rain]]<ref name="Becker and Cret"/><ref name="lam2"/>|| Mbasor<ref name="lam2"/>
|-
| Leket|| Forbidden from touching [[Oriental turtle dove|turtle doves]]<ref name="Becker and Cret"/><ref name="lam2"/>
|| Sukan<ref name="lam2"/>
|-
| Siwaña (or ''Sivana''<ref name="lam2"/>)|| Forbidden from touching the Nile [[monitor lizard]] (see above)<ref name="Becker and Cret"/><ref name="lam2"/> || Mbangu<ref name="lam2"/>
|-
| Simala|| The death of a Simala brings [[common cold]]<ref name="Becker and Cret"/><ref name="lam2"/> || Das<ref name="lam2"/>
|-
| Caxanora <ref>Variations :  ''Caxaanoora'' or ''Tahanora''</ref>|| Forbidden from touching [[savannah monitor]]s (''cas'') (see above)<ref name="Becker and Cret"/><ref name="lam2"/>|| Puham<ref name="lam2"/>
|-
| Pata Fata|| '''—'''|| Bam<ref name="lam2"/>
|-
| Waagaan <ref>The proper spelling is ''Waagaan''. Other variations include :  ''Wagan'' or ''Vagan''</ref>|| One of their observances dictates that they should do nothing on Sundays, but this is believed to be a new addition.<ref name="Becker and Cret"/><ref name="lam2"/> || Dab<ref name="lam2"/>
|-
| Soos<ref name="Becker and Cret"/> (or ''Sos'')|| Forbidden from touching a [[partridge]] (''ceбel'') — (see above)<ref name="Becker and Cret"/><ref name="lam2"/>|| Banda<ref name="lam2"/>
|}
==List of matriarchs==
{{Serer titles}}
{{main|:Category:Serer matriarchs}}
The following is a list of known Serer [[matriarch]]s or dynasty founders. Those who are known to be queens, queen mothers or royal princess are [[prefix]]ed with the royal title [[Lingeer]] ''':'''
*[[Lingeer Fatim Beye]], Queen of [[Kingdom of Sine|Sine]] [[Wiktionary:circa|c]] 1335, matriarch of the [[Joos Maternal Dynasty]]
*Lingeer Bande Ñambo Sarr, a matriarch of the Pata Fata clan.<ref>See :
: {{in lang|fr}} "Bulletin. serie B: Sciences humaines, Volume 41" (1979), pp 740-745
: {{in lang|fr}} Gravrand, "Cosaan", p 181</ref>
*[[Lingeer Ndoye Demba]], Queen and Queen Mother of [[Waalo]], c. 1367, grand daughter of Lingeer Fatim Beye. Lingeer Ndoye Demba established the Joos Maternal Dynasty in Waalo.
*Lingeer Ngoneh Jaye (var : Ngoneh Jaaye / Jaay or Ngoné Dièye) of [[Kingdom of Saloum|Saloum]], founder of the Guedj Maternal Dynasty (var : ''Geej'' or ''Gedj''<ref>Dupire, "Sagesse sereer: Essais sur la pensée sereer ndut", p 104</ref>) of [[Cayor]] and [[Baol]]. Mother of Latsoukabe Fall ([[Damel]] of Cayor and [[Teigne (title)|Teigne]] of Baol, respective titles for the king of Cayor and Baol, reigned : 1697-1719). She was given in marriage to the Teinge of Baol — Che Yassin Demba Noudj.<ref name="Ngoneh">Che Yassin Demba Noudj is spelled ''Tègne Thié Yasin Demba Noudj'', See : « Fall » [in] Bulletin. serie B: Sciences humaines, Volume 36, IFAN (1974), p 111</ref> It is from that marriage that Lat Soukabe came from.<ref name="Ngoneh"/>
*Lingeer Bassine Soureh (var : Bassine Souré), matriarch of the Beye Maternal Dynasty of Cayor and Baol and mother of Dé Tialao (reigned : 1693).<ref name="Bassine Soureh"/>
*[[Lingeer Ngoné Dièye]], 17th century Queen and Queen Mother of Cayor and Baol, and mother of Damel Lat Sukabe Fall
==Saying==
Like the reverence held for the [[Timeline of Serer history|most ancient]]—[[Serer paternal clans|Serer patriarchs]] (''Mam o Kor''),<ref name="Cosaan 210"/> the reverence for Serer matriclans is also preserved in the following popular [[saying]] in pre-colonial [[Kingdom of Sine|Sine]] :
{{cquote|''O lok yaa, ten fisu a Sinig.''<ref name="Cosaan 210">Gravrand, "Cosaan", p 210</ref>}}
{{center| [It is the maternal stick which traces the Sine]. }}
==The 1983  Ñakhar project==
{{main|:Category:Serer holy places|Fatick Region}}
The 1983  Ñakhar project was a collaborative effort by [[:Category:Scholars of Serer history|various scholars]] and institutions such as Charles Becker, Léonce Crétois, [[Henry Gravrand]], Victor Martin, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, etc., to research and document the Serer matriclans of [[Niakhar Arrondissement|Niakhar or Ñakhar arrondissement]] in [[Senegal]].<ref name="Nak">{{in lang|fr}} Crétois, Léonce , Becker, Charles "Le vocabulaire sereer de la faune", (Editor: Charles Becker), Centre de linguistique appliquée de Dakar (1983), p 24</ref> Ñakhar was chosen particularly because it is one of those Serer countries where the [[Serer religion]] is dominant, unpenetrated by Islam or Christianity.<ref name="Nak"/> It is also a place rich in [[:Category:Serer culture|Serer traditions]], itself located in the [[:Category:Fatick Region|Fatick Region]] which houses many of the [[:Category:Serer holy places|Serer holy sites]].<ref name="Nak"/> The scope of the project included the documentation of the ''Tim'' in this [[Arrondissements of Senegal|Senegalese arrondissement]], population and demographic spread, and the mythology associated with the clans, etc.<ref name="Nak"/>
<ref name="Dupiiii">Dupire, "Sagesse sereer: Essais sur la pensée sereer ndut", pp 7, 91, 111</ref> The research was a long process but it was actually documented in 1983.<ref name="Nak"/> A similar project had been undertaken previously by Gravrand, Martin and Crétois,<ref name="Nak"/><ref name="Dupiiii"/> and even before them by Lamoise in 1873 with his work on Serer grammar (''"Grammaire de la langue Serer"'') which lists some of the Serer patriclans and matriclans and the myths associated with them.<ref name="lam"/>
==Filmography==
*''Boumi et l'oiseau pélican'' (1990) by Phillipe Cassard, Paris.<ref name="D98-9"/>
==See also==
*[[The Royal House of Boureh Gnilane Joof]]
*[[The Royal House of Jogo Siga Joof]]
*[[The Royal House of Semou Njekeh Joof]]
*[[States headed by ancient Serer Lamanes]]
*[[Yaboyabo]]
*[[Serer creation myth]]
*[[:Category:Serer matriarchs|Index of Serer matriarchs]]
*[[:Category:Serer patriarchs|Index of Serer patriarchs]]
*[[:Category:Surnames of Serer origin|Index of Serer surnames]]
{{Portal|Senegal|Gambia|Mauritania|History|Monarchy|Traditional African religion|Religion}}
==References==
{{reflist}}
==Bibliography==
*[[Marguerite Dupire|Dupire, Marguerite]], "Sagesse sereer: Essais sur la pensée [[Ndut people|sereer ndut]]", KARTHALA Editions (1994), {{ISBN|2865374874}} {{in lang|fr}} [https://books.google.com/books?id=Fag2wuiV7t8C&q=Sagesse+sereer:essais+sur+la+pense+sereer+ndut] (Retrieved : 31 July 2012)
*Dupire, Marguerite, "Totems sereer et contrôle rituel de l'environnement", [in] Persee {{in lang|fr}} [http://www.persee.fr/web/revues/home/prescript/article/hom_0439-4216_1991_num_31_118_369379] (Retrieved : 9 August 2012)
*[[Simone Kalis|Kalis, Simone]], "Médecine traditionnelle religion et divination chez les Seereer Sine du Senegal", La connaissance de la nuit, L'Harmattan (1997), {{ISBN|2-7384-5196-9}}
*Becker, Charles: "Vestiges historiques, trémoins matériels du passé clans les pays sereer", Dakar (1993), CNRS - ORS TO M.  {{in lang|fr}} [http://horizon.documentation.ird.fr/exl-doc/pleins_textes/pleins_textes_5/b_fdi_01/010014636.pdf Excerpt] (Retrieved : 31 July 2012)
* [[Louis Diène Faye|Faye, Louis Diène]]. ''"Mort et Naissance le monde Sereer"'', Les Nouvelles Editions Africaines (1983), p 59, {{ISBN|2-7236-0868-9}}
*Faye, Amade., &  Agence de coopération culturelle et technique, "Le thème de la mort dans la littérature Seereer: Essai", Nouvelles éditions africaines du Sénégal (1997), {{ISBN|2723611078}}
*Faye, Ousmane, Diop, Adama, "Contribution a l'étude de l'histoire de Fa-oy des origines aux grandes migrations (XIII<sup>e</sup> - XX<sup>e</sup> siècle) : approche historique et ethnographique", [[Université Cheikh Anta Diop]] de [[Dakar]] (2002)
*Crétois, Léonce, Becker, Charles "Le vocabulaire sereer de la faune", (Editor: Charles Becker), Centre de linguistique appliquée de Dakar (1983)
*[[Alioune Sarr|Sarr, Alioune]], "Histoire du Sine-Saloum (Sénégal), Introduction, bibliographie et notes par Charles Becker. Version légèrement remaniée par rapport à celle qui est parue en 1986-87
*Lericollais, André, « La gestion du paysage ? Sahélisation, surexploitation et délaissement des terroirs sereer au Sénégal », Afrique de l'ouest, [[Dakar]] (21–26 November 1988), ORSTOM, [http://horizon.documentation.ird.fr/exl-doc/pleins_textes/pleins_textes_5/b_fdi_31-32/35248.pdf]. {{in lang|fr}} [https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&q=cache:zX0dh2WfBGAJ:horizon.documentation.ird.fr/exl-doc/pleins_textes/pleins_textes_5/b_fdi_31-32/35248.pdf+nqaul+arbre&hl=en&gl=uk&pid=bl&srcid=ADGEESj_zO4iryV5DQot4rwzB5l9rtHNGpt90rXtojjfXytmdYU6-BnhVjOvjQThfX2UVLqqJP5dbcPH6Cs6LETfIBh-jn6BkD1dbw3DePJYvwGxUbxYSMXNqSZUNFrsVDWtnViGxAfE&sig=AHIEtbTGsDUtWqt0HNEu-bHo0qv9bYNagQ] (Retrieved 3 August 2012)
*[[Henry Gravrand|Gravrand, Henry]], "La Civilisation Sereer - [[Pangool]]", vol. 2, Les Nouvelles Editions Africaines du Sénégal (1990), {{ISBN|2-7236-1055-1}}
*Gravrand, Henry, "La Civilisation Sereer - ''Cosaan''", Nouvelles Editions africaines (1983), {{ISBN|2723608778}}
*[[Universität Frankfurt am Main]], Frobenius-Institut, Deutsche Gesellschaft für Kulturmorphologie, Frobenius Gesellschaft, "Paideuma: Mitteilungen zur Kulturkunde, Volumes 43-44", F. Steiner (1997), pp 144–5, {{ISBN|3515028420}}
*[[Institut Fondamental d'Afrique Noire|Centre I.F.A.N.]] ([[Senegal|Sénégal]]). Ministère de l'éducation nationale, C.R.D.S. (Sénégal), "Connaissance du Sénégal", ''Part 1'', Centre I.F.A.N. (Sénégal) (1962), p 268
*Girard,Jean, "L'or du Bambouk: une dynamique de civilisation ouest-africaine", Georg (1992), pp 206–8, {{ISBN|2825704512}}
* Ngom, Biram: "La question Gelwaar et l’histoire du Siin", [[Dakar]], [[University of Dakar|Université de Dakar]], (1987)  {{in lang|fr}} [http://ethiopiques.refer.sn/spip.php?article1244] (Retrieved 1 August 2012)
*Gastellu, Jean-Marc, "Petit traité de matrilinarité. L'accumulation dans deux sociétés rurales d'Afrique de l'Ouest", Cahiers ORSTOM, série Sciences Humaines 4 (1985)
*Gastellu, Jean-Marc, "Matrilineages, Economic Groups and Differentiation in West Africa: A Note", O.R.S.T.O.M. Fonds Documentaire (1988), pp 1, 2-4 (pp 272–4), 7 (p 277)  {{in lang|en}} [http://horizon.documentation.ird.fr/exl-doc/pleins_textes/pleins_textes_5/b_fdi_18-19/25532.pdf] (original publication in French : "Petit traité de matrilinarité") — (Retrieved : 31 July 2012)
*Gastellu, Jean-Marc, "L'Egalitarisme économique des Serer du Sénégal", IRD Editions (1981), {{ISBN|2709905914}} {{in lang|fr}} [https://books.google.com/books?id=cc0xdPE35ngC&dq=serer+matriclans&pg=PA1] (Retrieved : 31 July 2012)
*[[Université Cheikh Anta Diop]], Faculté des Lettres et Sciences Humaines, Département d'Histoire, "Ñirohmol, un village déserté du Diokoul ([[Saloum]]) (XIV<sup>e</sup>-XX<sup>e</sup> siècle): histoire et archéologie", (présenté par Mamadou Lamine Camara), (2001)
*BIFAN, "Bulletin. serie B: Sciences humaines, Volume 41" (1979)
*[[Institut fondamental d'Afrique noire]], "Bulletin: Sciences humaines, Volume 28", (1966), pp 610, 602 (BIFAN 1966)
*[[Issa Laye Thiaw|Thiaw, Issa laye]], "Mythe de la création du monde selon les sages sereer", pp 45–50, 59-61 [in] "Enracinement et Ouverture" – "Plaidoyer pour le dialogue interreligieux", [[Konrad Adenauer Stiftung]] (23 and 24 June 2009), Dakar {{in lang|fr}} [http://www.kas.de/wf/doc/kas_17308-1522-1-30.pdf?090827174112] (Retrieved : 3 August 2012)
*"Bulletin de l'Institut fondamental d'Afrique noire: Sciences humaines, Volume 45", [[Institut fondamental d'Afrique noire]], IFAN (1983), pp 387–401
*Diouf, Léon, "Eglise locale et crise africaine: le diocèse de Dakar", KARTHALA Editions (2001), p 147, {{ISBN|2845861710}} {{in lang|fr}}  [https://books.google.com/books?id=dIu9nCoK2IUC&dq=Cegandum&pg=PA147] (Henry Gravrand, "Cosaan" [in] Diouf) — (Retrieved : 3 August 2012)
*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
*Klein, Martin A, "Islam and Imperialism in Senegal [[Sine-Saloum]], 1847-1914." [[Edinburgh University Press]] (1968), p XV
*Monteil, Vincent, "Le Dyolof et Al-Bouri Ndiaye," in Esquisses senegalaises (Dakar, 1966)
*Lamoise, LE P., "Grammaire de la langue sérère avec des exemples et des exercises renfermant des documents très utiles", Imprimerie de la Mission (1873)
*Kesteloot, Lilyan, Veirman, Anja, "Le [[Serer creation myth#Mbos|mboosé]] : mythe de fondation et génie protecteur de [[Kaolack]]", IFAN (2006)
*Boulègue, Jean, "Le Grand Jolof, (XVIII<sup>e</sup> - XVI<sup>e</sup> Siècle)", (Paris, Edition Façades), Karthala (1987)
*Phillips, Lucie Colvin, "Historical dictionary of Senegal", [[Scarecrow Press]] (1981) {{ISBN|0-8108-1369-6}}
*Institut fondamental d'Afrique noire, Bulletin de l'Institut fondamental d'Afrique noire, Volume 38, IFAN (1976)
*Brigaud, Félix, "Histoire du Sénégal: Des origines aux traités de protectorat", Clair-afrique (1964)
*Glinga, Werner, "Literatur in Senegal: Geschichte, Mythos und gesellschaftliches Ideal in der oralen und schriftlichen Literatur", D. Reimer (1990),  {{ISBN|3496004606}}
==Further reading==
*[[Marguerite Dupire|Dupire, Marguerite]], "Totems sereer et contrôle rituel de l'environnement", [in] Persee {{in lang|fr}} [http://www.persee.fr/web/revues/home/prescript/article/hom_0439-4216_1991_num_31_118_369379]
*[[Issa Laye Thiaw|Thiaw, Issa Laye]], ''La femme Seereer'' (Sénégal), L'Harmattan, Paris, septembre 2005, {{ISBN|2-7475-8907-2}}
*Camara, Fatou Kiné (PhD) & Seck, Abdourahmane (PhD), "Secularity and Freedom of Religion in Senegal: Between a Constitutional Rock and a Hard Reality", (11/26/2010) [http://lawreview.byu.edu/archives/2010/3/09%20-%20Camara.FIN.pdf] (Retrieved : 9 August 2012)
*Zewde, Bahru, "Society, State, and Identity in African History", African Books Collective (2008), {{ISBN|9994450255}} {{in lang|fr}} [https://books.google.com/books?id=WpzMU-txNF8C&dq=sereer+matriclans%22&pg=PA39] « Traite négrière et repli identitaire dans l'espace sénégambien : L'exemple des Sereer du nord-ouest (Sénégal) by Ismaila Ciss, from page 23 »(Retrieved : 10 August 2012)
*Niang, Mor Sadio, "CEREMONIES ET FÊTES TRADITIONNELLES", [in] Ethiopiques n<sup>o</sup> 31 révue socialiste de culture négro-africaine 3<sup>e</sup> trimestre (1982) {{in lang|fr}} [http://ethiopiques.refer.sn/spip.php?article905] (Retrieved : 10 August 2012)
*Martin, Victor &  Becker, Charles, "Lieux de culte et emplacements célèbres dans les pays sereer" (Sénégal), Publié dans le Bulletin de l’[[Institut Fondamental d'Afrique Noire]], Tome 41, Série B, n° 1, janvier 1979, {{in lang|fr}} [https://web.archive.org/web/20160303213621/http://ucadao.s3.amazonaws.com/agorae/2009311111736/V.Martin(a).pdf] (Retrieved : 10 August 2012)
{{Serer topics|state=collapsed}}
[[Category:Serer royalty]]
[[Category:Lingeer]]
[[Category:Serer matriarchs]]
[[Category:Serer families]]
[[Category:Serer religion]]
[[Category:Social history of Mauritania]]
[[Category:History of women in Mauritania]]
[[Category:Matriarchy]]
[[Category:Senegalese women in politics]]