the wolof people
There
are 2,5 million Wolof people living in Senegal. Wolof forefathers migrated
west to the coast from Mali. The Wolof have a living Griot tradition,
and the history probably goes back 12th or 13th century. Wealthy Wolofs
played a significant role in the slave trade. Traditionally, Wolof were
ruled by several powerful headmen. Society was divided into a series of
caste like categories. Many Wolof belong to old Islamic brotherhoods like
Tijaniyya and Quadiriyya, and the newer ones, the Mourides. The climate
of the Wolof area varies greatly from north to south. The north is nearly
desert like, while the southern region is a tropical rain forest.