La sociéte  wolof: tradition et changement : les systèmes d'inégalité et de domination

Diop, Abdoulaye Bara

Book

La sociéte wolof: tradition et changement : les systèmes d'inégalité et de domination

Karthala • Paris • Published In 1981 • Pages: 355

By: Diop, Abdoulaye Bara.

Abstract
In this study, Diop examines the structure and history of Wolof society. Wolof society is organized by a dual system of caste and class. The superior caste is the group of landowning cultivators and the inferior castes include artisans, singers, musicians, courtisans, and jesters. The lower castes provide necessary goods and services, and most importantly, as Diop sees it, respect in exchange for foodstuffs. According to Diop the Wolof caste system is primarily based on the principles of reciprocity rather than on an ideology of pollution and purity as Dumont argues for India, although such ideas are also present in the Wolof system. The class system is rooted in the Wolof monarchy and conquest state, which served the slave trade. Its order essentially rested on violence in which a warrior class dominated and royal slaves could obtain high rank. The spread of Islam brotherhoods in the colonial period mobilized an exploited peasantry, however, the French successfully backed the Wolof nobility in their wars against the Moslim sects. The brotherhood leaders eventually capitulated to become another buttress of the colonial order.

HRAF PubDate

1999

Region

Africa