Soninke People: Influential Traders In Addition To Travel-Loving People That Founded The Famaous Pre-Colonial Westward African Empire Of Ghana

February 26, 2014

The Soninke (also called Sarakole, Seraculeh, or Serahuli) are influential-agriculturalists, well-known traveling in addition to celebrated traders equally good as Mandé-speaking people of West Africa that founded the famous pre-colonial empire of Ghana c. 750-1240 CE. The Soninke who descend from the Bafour in addition to are closely related to the Imraguen of Islamic Republic of Mauritania are historical celebrities inwards Africa inwards full general in addition to sub-Saharan Africa inwards particular. They take away hold an interesting, proud in addition to rich history. The modern twenty-four hours province of Republic of Ghana inwards due south of West Africa are dissimilar from them. However, modern-day Republic of Ghana took the Soninke empire of Ghana`s bring upward after independence.

Soninke people of Senega dancing at the announcement of Bakel festivities. http://tostan.blogspot.com/

After contact with Muslim Almoravid traders from the due north to a greater extent than or less 1066, Soninke nobles of neighboring Takrur were amidst the foremost ethnic groups from Sub-Saharan West Africa to comprehend Islam. When the Republic of Ghana empire dispersed, the resulting diaspora brought Soninkes to Mali, Senegal, Mauritania, Gambia, in addition to Guinea-Bissau. This diaspora included Wangara, famous traders who spread far from traditionally Mande areas. Hence the term Wangara is used today inwards Republic of Ghana in addition to Burkina Faso to depict the Soninke populations inwards cities in addition to towns

Soninke men playing traditional drum

Today Soninke people alive inwards the West African countries of Mali, Senegal, The Gambia, in addition to Mauritania. There are some Soninke communities inwards Côte d'Ivoire, Guinea-Bissau, Republic of Guinea in addition to Ghana.

Soninke adult woman from Senegal pouring traditional tea

Soninke people alive inwards the southeastern corner of The The Gambia in addition to Islamic Republic of Mauritania they are inwards the southern part of Sélibaby, amongst the Senegal River. There are also Soninke communities inwards Côte d'Ivoire, Republic of Guinea-Bissau in addition to Guinea.

Soninke daughter from Islamic Republic of Mauritania with her sisters

There is a large in addition to growing Soninke community inwards Paris, France. Trade networks, famously led past times the Wangara mercantile confederations, spread Soninke people in addition to civilization throughout most of Republic of Mali in addition to Senegal, southern Mauritania, northern Burkina Faso, equally good equally parts of the Gambia, in addition to Guinea-Bissau.

Soninke adult woman from The Gambia

The Maraka - Soninke merchant communities in addition to plantations (centered just due north of the metropolis of Segou, Mali) were an economical mainspring nether the Bambara Empire, in addition to built merchandise routes throughout the region.
Mali: mainly inwards the Nioro, Nara, Banamba, Yélémané in addition to Kayes areas.

Soninke people at a identify unit of measurement meeting, Nara, Mali
Language
The Soninke speak a Mande language which belongs to the larger Niger-Congo linguistic communication phylum. The Mande languages are spoken inwards several countries inwards West Africa past times the Mandé people in addition to include Mandinka, Soninke, Bambara, Dioula, Bozo, Mende, Susu, in addition to Vai. There are millions of speakers, chiefly inwards Burkina Faso, Mali, Senegal, the Gambia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Sierra Leone, Liberia, in addition to Ivory Coast.
Mande linguistic communication is of 3 kinds, the northern grouping called mandé-tan, a southern grouping known equally mandé-fu in addition to a third subgroup (Western) called mandé-bu.
Soninke is utilization of the Western Mande group, which has 3 main subgroups, namely:
1. The Northwestern subgroup, which includes Soninke, Boso, Samogo in addition to Bobo.
2. The Southwestern subgroup, which includes Loko.
3. The Central subgroup, which includes Manding in addition to Susu.

Medina Kone, Soninke in addition to Senegalese TV personality of French TV. She is a rapper in addition to a journalist

Some Soninke words: iyo (yes), ayi (no), nawari (thank you), ko (who), maane (what), kan moxo (how), mannime ni? (how many?), sigi, xa sigi (stop, halt that), xa yeli yere (come here), Xa wuyi Jam? (Good Morning), An ña kan moxo? (How are you?), An haqqen toxo inwards da (Excuse me), Selli a ga nta an toorono (Please), Xa bisimilah! (Welcome), Ke ni manne ya? (What is that?), An gole moxo? (How is your work?), N sanganaya (I’m just kidding)

Soninke daughter from The Gambia

History
Around the 3rd century B.C.E., nomadic groups herding animals inwards West Africa on the fringes of the Sahara became a threat to the Soninke people who lived due south of the desert equally farmers. The Soninke formed a confederation in addition to defended themselves against the nomads in addition to eventually formed the kingdom of Ghana.

Sketch of a immature daughter from Soninke tribe. Circa 1890

During the 3rd century C.E., the Mande-speaking Soninke people were united past times a dandy virile somebody monarch who led them to conquer the metropolis of Kumbi Saleh inwards what is forthwith western Mali. Kumbi Saleh was an of import metropolis along an of import north-south merchandise route. The virile somebody monarch of the Soninke was known equally the Kaya maghan , “king of the gold,” in addition to equally Republic of Ghana , “war chief.” He belonged to the royal clan of Ouagadou, in addition to the Soninke foremost named their kingdom after this royal family.

Soninke Moorish human being in addition to 2 wives.He holds an musical instrument known equally an ngoni

Ancient Republic of Ghana Empire:
The 3 main sources of noesis most the ancient Sudan - archaeology, oral history, in addition to the books written past times Africans or Arabs-tell us a proficient bargain most the famous empire of Ghana.
The Soninke sure built their province before AD 773, the appointment of the first North African reference to it. They were nomads in addition to traders inwards this part inwards really distant times. A tradition recorded inwards the Tarikh as-Sudan, an of import history mass that was written inwards Timbuktu most AD 1650, says that at that topographic point were twenty-two kings of Republic of Ghana before the starting fourth dimension of the Muslim Era (622) and twenty-two kings after that. If this were true, it could identify the origins of the Republic of Ghana kingdom inwards most AD 300 (1965 Longma1s published textbook of Basil Davidson, F.K Buah in addition to J. F Ade Ajaye, The Growth of African Civilizations: H5N1 HISTORY OF WEST AFRICA 1000-1800).
By 800, in whatever case, Republic of Ghana had larn a powerful trading province called Wagadu (Ouagadou) past times its rulers, the bring upward of Republic of Ghana came into full general utilization because of i of the king's titles, ghana which way "war chief.' Each succeeding was known past times his ain name, in addition to also past times the championship of ghana. Another of his titles was kaya maghan. This way 'lord of the gold', because the virile somebody monarch controlled the export of that precious metal.
Nothing is known most the political methods or history of Republic of Ghana nether its early kings. What likely happened was that heads of large families or descent-lines amidst the Soninke, encouraged past times the needs in addition to opportunities of the merchandise inwards gilt in addition to other goods with Berber merchants of the Sahara, saw an payoff inwards having a unmarried ruler. So they elected a virile somebody monarch from amidst themselves. This king's duty was to organise the merchandise in addition to hold proficient relations with the Saharan traders, equally good equally acting equally senior religious leader in addition to equally representative on world of the 'founding ancestors' of the Soninke people.
In this way the virile somebody monarch gathered power. He controlled the merchandise inside Soninke territory. He made gifts in addition to gave rewards to all who served him.

Soninke soldiers

Next came an expansion of Soninke ability over neighbouring peoples who were also busy with trade: the wider the territory the Soninke could control, the to a greater extent than prosperous they would be. By 800, the
virile somebody monarch of Republic of Ghana was able to brand lesser kings or chiefs obey his laws in addition to pay him taxes. And thence the king's wealth increased. Withmore wealth, he also had to a greater extent than power. He could command the services of many descentlines. He could heighten large armies. He could employ large numbers of messengers in addition to other servants. He could pay for the needs of a growing empire.
Some occupation concern human relationship of how this was done for the afterwards kings of Republic of Ghana is glven inwards books written past times North African in addition to Castilian Arab authors during the eleventh in addition to 12th centuries AD.
One of these books offers a brilliantly clear moving-picture present of the courtroom of the emperor of Republic of Ghana inwards most AD 1065, in addition to of the way inwards which that emperor, whose bring upward was Tunka Manin, organised his ability and wealth. This mass was the go of a Castilian Arab called Al-Bakri. He finished it inwards 1067.

The Achievement of Ghana
From this occupation concern human relationship of Al-Bakri's nosotros tin know a piddling to a greater extent than most what had happened during before times. It appears that many of the North African in addition to Berber traders of the Sahara accepted Islam after the Arab conquest of the 8th century. They abandoned their old religions and became Muslims. They were made welcome at the uppercase of the emperor of Ghana. He was non a Muslim; he believed inwards Ghana's own religion, but he allowed the Muslims to construct a town of their own.
The 'town of the Muslim traders' was 10 kilometres away from the emperor's ain town with its surrounding settlements. While the latter were built inwards the traditional materials of West Africa - hardened clay, thatch, in addition to wooden beams - the most successful Muslim traders he preferred to construct their houses inwards stone, according to their ain customs inwards North Africa. It is non known precisely where the uppercase was when Al-Bakri wrote his book. In the course of written report of Ghana's long history, the king`s uppercase was undoubtedly moved from i identify to another. But nosotros tin add a proficient bargain to Al-Bakri's moving-picture present past times studying the remains of Ghana`s last capital, which lay at Kumbi Saleh most 320 kilometres due north of modern Bamako. Here likewise at that topographic point was a town where the virile somebody monarch of Ghana lived, in addition to some other nearby town where the Muslim traders had their houses in addition to stables. At the summit of its prosperity, before AD 1240, this city of Kumbi was manifestly the biggest West African metropolis of its day, in addition to had as many equally 15,000 inhabitants or fifty-fifty more.
So long equally they obeyed the laws of Republic of Ghana in addition to paid their taxes, the traders from the due north were sure of security in addition to hospitality. This was a partnership in long-distance merchandise that went on for a really long time. Its safely depended on the strength of the emperor in addition to his government. Al-Bakri has left us a description of all that. King Tunka Manin, he wrote "is the master copy of a large empire in addition to of a formidable power'. So powerful was this king, that he could pose out '200,000 warriors inwards the land to a greater extent than than 40,000 of them beingness armed with bow in addition to arrow'. But the real strength of the Republic of Ghana armies, equally nosotros know from other North African sources, came from their ability inwards iron-pointed spears. Their wagons like their government, were stronger than those of their neighbouring peoples; in addition to it was this strength which helped to construct their empire.
Working from eyewitness accounts which he had received from Muslim travellers, Al-Bakri described the pomp in addition to majesty of King Tunka Manin"
"When the virile somebody monarch gives audience to his people, to hear to their
complaints in addition to to laid them to rights, he sits inwards a pavilion around
which stand upward 10 pages asset shields in addition to gold-mounted swords.
On his correct paw are the sons of the princes of his empire,
splendidly clad in addition to with gilt plaited inwards their hair.
The governor of the metropolis is seated on the the world inwards front end of the
king, in addition to all to a greater extent than or less him are his counsellors inwards the same position.
The gate of the sleeping room is guarded past times dogs of an splendid breed.
These dogs never go out their identify of duty. They vesture collars of
gilt in addition to silver, ornamented with metals.
The starting fourth dimension of a royal coming together is announced past times the beating
of a form of drum they telephone cry upward deba. This drum is made of a long piece
of hollowed wood. The people assemble when they hear its sound.. ."
The retention of these old glories were long remembered amidst the peoples of the Western Sudan. Five hundred years later, for example, a writer of Timbuktu called Mahmud Kati entertained his readers with the stories of those ancient days. In his valuable history book, the Tarikh al-Fattush, he tells how a sure virile somebody monarch of Republic of Ghana of the seventh century, called Kanissa'ai, possessed i thou horses, in addition to how each of these horses 'slept exclusively on a carpet, with a silken rope for halter', and had 3 personal attendants, in addition to was looked after equally though it were itself a king.
These old stories, magnified in addition to embroidered with the passing of the years, also tell how the kings of Republic of Ghana used to give dandy banquets to their subjects, feeding 10 thou people at a time, in addition to dispensing gifts in addition to judge to all who came. Such stories give an stance of the greatness of Ghana's reputation inwards the years of its power.

Soninke Women of Islamic Republic of Mauritania Painting Their Hut

Government of the empire
If nosotros aspect carefully behind the travellers' data collected and written downwards past times Al-Bakri in addition to other Arab writers, in addition to behind the stories that were afterwards told inwards countless homes for many years, nosotros can trace several developments inwards ways of life.
With the growth of Ghana, in addition to of other states similar Ghana, the peoples of West Africa were inventing novel methods of living together, of governing themselves, of raising coin to pay for government, in addition to of producing wealth. These ways needed a unmarried potent potency or government. which could dominion over many lesser authorities or governments. This primal potency or authorities could only, inwards the stance and customs of the times, live a king.....

Soninke girl

Revenue in addition to wealth of Ghana
The ruler of Ghana, Al-Bakri tells us, had 2 main sources of revenue,' of wealth with which to pay for government. These were taxes of 2 kinds. The foremost of these was what nosotros should today telephone cry upward an import in addition to export tax. This taxation consisted of sums of coin (or to a greater extent than likely their equal inwards goods) which traders had to pay for the correct to convey proficient into Ghana, or to select other goods out of the empire. 'The virile somebody monarch of Ghana', wrote Al-Bakri, 'places a taxation of i dinar of gilt on each donkey-load of common salt that comes into his country'. But he also 'places a taxation of 2 dinars of gilt on each charge of common salt that goes out'. Similar taxes higher or lower inwards value equally the instance may be, were applied to the loads of copper in addition to other goods."
The 2d type of taxation is what nosotros telephone cry upward the production tax. It was applied to gold, the most valuable of all the products inwards the kingdom. "All pieces of gilt that are found inwards the empire" says Al-Bakri on this point 'belong to the emperor'. But this regulation was to a greater extent than than a means of collecting royal wealth. It was also a way of keeping upward the of gold. For the emperor had non insisted on taking possession all pieces of gold, Al-Bakri explains thence "gold would larn thence abundant equally practically to lose its value."
Ancient Ghana, inwards curt adopted the monopoly scheme that is employed this twenty-four hours for some other precious commodity, diamond.
Salt was mined to the northeast of Republic of Ghana inwards the Sahara Desert, in addition to Arab traders from the due north loaded their camels in addition to donkeys with common salt to merchandise for gold. Traders had to go through Ghana, in addition to thence Republic of Ghana became similar a middleman inwards the world of the salt-gold trade. Other goods were brought from the due north equally well, similar dried fruit, leather, cotton wool cloth, in addition to copper.
The salt-gold merchandise allowed Republic of Ghana to larn a rich empire. Gold dust was used inwards trade, but the virile somebody monarch kept the gilt “nuggets” for himself, allowing the people to merchandise using exclusively gilt dust.

Soninke man, 1893

The autumn of Ghana: the Almoravids
But a long menses of confusion came betwixt the autumn of Republic of Ghana in addition to the triumph of Mali. After most 1050, Republic of Ghana began to live invaded past times Berber warriors from the north-west, from the Mauritanian Sahara. These Berbers were driven past times troubles of their own, mainly poverty, into striving for a share in the wealth of to a greater extent than prosperous neighbours. Soon after AD m they began to aspect for a novel way of livelihood.
The solution they found, equally thence oftentimes inwards history, took a religious form. There arose amidst them a devout in addition to really strict Muslim leader called Abdullah ibn Yasin. He established a centre of religious teaching, called a hermitage. He in addition to those who followed him became known equally the people of the hermitage, Al-Murabethin, or the Almoravids. Gradually, ibn Yasin brought the Berber communities of the far western lands nether his influence. At the same fourth dimension his missionaries laid most the work of converting the rulers of those states inwards far western Africa whom they could reach, specially inwards Takrur (or Futa Toro), in addition to inwards this they had some success. In 1056, moving northwards into Morocco, the Almoravids captured the dandy metropolis of Sijilmasa, the main northern trading centre for West African gold. From at that topographic point they went farther to the north, conquering the remainder of Morocco. Then they crossed the Straits of Gibraltar, in addition to took over Al-Andalus, or Muslim Spain.
H5N1 southern department of the Almoravid motion meanwhile moved against Ghana. Its leader, Abu Bakr, pose himself at the caput of a Berber confederation, made an alliance with the people of Takrur, who afterwards waged a long state of war against Ghana. In 1054 he took the metropolis of Audoghast. In 1076. after many battles. the Almoravids seized the uppercase of the empire.
But these invaders, similar others after them, could non handgrip the West African lands they had taken. There was much resistance. There were many revolts. Abu Bakr was killed piece attempting to suppress i of these inwards 1087. By this time, however, the Republic of Ghana empire had fallen apart. Its lastly kings had potency over exclusively a few of its quondam provinces, in addition to nosotros know almost nothing most them. Great changes were on the way.

icon of Soninke woman

The successor province of Ghana
In the fourth dimension of confusion, laid inwards motion past times the Almoravid Berbers but shortly bringing other peoples into action, the Republic of Ghana empire broke upward in addition to some smaller states tried to construct modest empires of their own. One was the state of Takrur. Another was Diara. H5N1 3rd was Kaniaga. Some of these, a novel bring upward forthwith enters on the scene, that of the Peul (or Fuble/Fulani).
When Republic of Ghana empire suffered a blow from Abu Bakr in addition to his armies, the Fulani of Takrur inwards Senegal became independent. They inwards plow laid out upon the route of conquest. After most AD 1200, they took command of the kingdom of Diara i time a province of Ghana.
Their most successful leader, whose bring upward was Sumanguru, seized Kumbi Saleh, thence the uppercase of Ghana, inwards most 1203. Meanwhile other Fulani in addition to allied peoples became powerful some other old Republic of Ghana province, the kingdom of Kaniaga.
But this novel endeavor at edifice an empire out of the ruins of Republic of Ghana met with no ameliorate fortune than the Berber efforts led past times Abu Bakri. Two developments brought Sumanguru's company to defeat. The foremost was that the Muslim traders of Kumbi Saleh, Ghana's lastly capital, spend upward Sumanguru's overlordship. For reasons that were no dubiety partly religious in addition to partly commercial, they left Kumbi Saleh in addition to travel
northward, to cast a novel trading centre at Walata,' far beyond the compass of Sumanguru's soldiers. Secondly, inwards most 1240 or perchance a few years earlier, Sumanguru was challenged past times the Mandinka
people of the littlle province of Kangaba, close the headwaters of the River Niger. The 2 armies fought each other at a famous battle. Sumanguru was defeated in addition to killed. His chiefs in addition to generals retreated to Takrur, where they in addition to their successors continued to dominion for many years.
Sumanguru's defeat opened a novel chapter inwards history. For the piddling province of Kangaba was the pump in addition to essence of the hereafter empire of Mali. It was to live the Mandinka people who would forthwith convey peace in addition to monastic enjoin to wide regions of the Western Sudan.
Economy
The Soninke traditionally engage inwards both merchandise in addition to agriculture. During the rainy season, men in addition to women both cultivate. However women unremarkably rest at dwelling occupation solid to ready in addition to select attention of their children. They also do others work, such equally dyeing cotton wool material. H5N1 typical Soninke color is Indigo. The Soninke attained a high measure of living. Emigration took a huge identify inwards their life. Most of the fourth dimension women, children in addition to old rest at dwelling occupation solid lone when the immature men go to vecino cities to observe money. Since the 1960s, the bulk of West African immigrants inwards French Republic came from this ethnic group. The Soninke are silent forthwith the backbone of countries similar the Gambia, Senegal in addition to Mali. Through all history they take away hold been traders inwards gold, common salt in addition to fifty-fifty diamonds.

Foods
The Soninke take away hold a diversity of foods. As an example, breakfast foods include “fonde”, porridge made of millet, sugar, milk, in addition to salt, in addition to “Sombi” porridge made of rice, millet or corn. For dejeuner “demba tere” in addition to “takhaya” are really common, both containing rice in addition to peanuts, frequent Soninke ingredients. "Dere”, a stew, is a mixture of millet in addition to beans

Socio-political structures
The ancient Soninke empire was governed past times a powerful emperor who controlled the Trans-Saharan Trade. His ability was limited past times nobles inwards accuse of the bureaucracy, taxes, army, judge in addition to other duties. The primal authorities of the empire was composed of the emperor in addition to those nobles who tin live considered equally of import advisors. The peripheral courts had some liberty deciding on their interior problems all the same they were supervised past times the regal courtroom concerning regal problems equally good equally the army. In the fourth dimension of Wagadu at that topographic point was an emperor at the caput of the empire followed past times the noble’s families. Even after the decline of the empire the bulk of the Soninke families silent maintained this hierarchy inwards their villages. In the Soninke social organization everyone occupies a place. Being virile somebody monarch or a smith was non past times choice, it was an inherited position. This hierarchy is really of import inwards Soninke civilization in addition to it is respected past times the Soninke. This structural social organization is divided inwards 3 levels.
Like other groups inwards the region, Soninke guild is hierarchically divided into endogamous condition groups. The foremost degree are the ″Hooro″, the gratis men. They take away hold the highest social rank. The Hooro (sing. hoore) are the rulers, they take away hold the correct to punish in addition to dispense justice. The foremost degree inwards the “Hooro” are the “tunkalemmu”, the princes. They are the noblemen that exercise authority. Only a tunkalemmu” tin larn king. It's an inherited position. The side past times side degree after the princes, “tunnkalemmu”, are the “mangu”. The “mangu” are the advisors of the princes. They are their confidants. They deed equally mediators inwards conflicts betwixt dissimilar classes of “Hooro” or gratis man. The “mangu” originate from the “kuralemme”, warrior class. In times of state of war the Mangu larn heads of the army. The lastly degree of the “hooro”, gratis human being is the “modinu”, the priest or people who historically take away hold been really active inwards scholarly instruction in addition to religious careers.. Their rootage is from the influence of Islam inwards Soninke society. They dispense justice, in addition to educate the population. They learn them Islam in addition to protect them with prayers. They are really respected for their religious knowledge.
The 2d aeroplane of the Soninke organization is the “naxamala” which is also divided inwards many other classes. The “naxamala” are the dependent men in addition to customer groups of ‘casted’ artisans for the Hooro. The “tago” or blacksmiths occupy the highest position. They brand weapons in addition to go tools. They also brand jewelry. They are respected for their noesis with iron. The side past times side degree after blacksmith is the carpenter, “sakko”. They are the friends of the inhabitants of the forest. They are the confidants in addition to the masters of devils. They are of import because of their skills in addition to noesis with wood. The side past times side degree is the praise-singer, “Jaroo”. During ceremonies they are inwards accuse of animation, speaking, in addition to singing. They are the most famous inwards the “naxamala” dependent degree . They are the exclusively ones authorized to say anything they want. They are the orators of the society. They tell the history of most of import Soninke families. The lastly degree inwards the “naxamala” degree is the cobbler, “Garanko”. They are inwards accuse of making leather shoes, saddles in addition to saber sheaths.
The lowest aeroplane of the Soninke social hierarchy are the slaves known equally ‘komo’. The “komo”, slaves go for the masters. Their masters had to select attention of them but this was non ever the case. The slaves take away hold ever been the major project forcefulness inwards Soninke society. The prosperity of Soninke guild was due to their ascendence inwards farming. In the past times at that topographic point were to a greater extent than slaves than free-men.

Marriage
In Senegal, equally elsewhere, matrimony is seen equally a major identify unit of measurement event. It is celebrated joyously. In countries Soninke , customs relating to its celebration may vary from i locality to another, but all inwards mutual that they are available murundé (research), the Tamma (symbolic franc) in addition to futtu (the definitive understanding wedding) inwards a higher identify the festivities. If some immature people today wishing to abide by the traditions, heritage they attempt out to hold jealously, modernity is gaining the world in addition to is a serious threat.

Marriage is an deed of honey where everything is inwards the union of 2 people inwards honey with each other. For many couples in addition to their families, this lawsuit is undoubtedly i of the happiest days, if non the most beautiful of their lives. Senegal, each ethnic grouping has its way of conceiving marriage. In Soninke , it is sacred. Soninke countries, matrimony is primarily an alliance betwixt 2 clans or lineages.

The dissimilar stages of matrimony are, inwards the instance of a man child in addition to a daughter who espouse for the foremost time, rigorously treated past times parents. There is, first, murunde (research) that marks the official start of the nuptials process. When the immature human being of marriageable historic menses is the daughter who suits him, he opens his begetter in addition to he expressed his want to select a wife. According Tapa Bathily hamlet Tuabou , quondam uppercase of the kingdom Gadiaga the particularity Soninke surround is, first, the selection of caste. " Marriage inwards Soninkés is traditionally betwixt members of the same clan. If yous espouse anyone, yous mightiness take away hold problems. H5N1 bad adult woman is worse. Soninke environment, to larn married, it is non plenty to know the caste, nosotros must also know the family. It also requires that the adult woman is a proficient identify unit of measurement , "he says. This is non the begetter of the pretender to fetch the bride. He sends to the identify unit of measurement of the daughter with an emissary who is traditionally linked. This tin live a noble, a griot or a slave.

THE "Tamma" OR AGREEMENT IN PRINCIPLE

" When a immature human being is old plenty to marry, he tin catch a daughter in addition to beak to her. Previously, parents who felt their kid is old plenty to espouse met with other members to observe a so-called proficient family, able to consummate their identify unit of measurement , "said Mr. Bathily.
After murunde i twenty-four hours is taken for symbolic or Tamma franc is forthwith mounted to 500 francs inwards Bakel. " This is an understanding inwards regulation non binding on the beautiful family. Sometimes if at that topographic point is a highest bidder, the identify unit of measurement tin modify your mind, which is non normal , "said Idrissa Diarra. In other countries, the appointment of the seizure of Tamma is considered a potent symbol guarantee the immature man's decision to espouse the girl. According to Mara Danthira Traoré surface area Modinkané , husband, after Tamma must maintain his hereafter wife. According to him, he shall, during each lunar month, contribute to the nourishment of his fiancée. " Formerly, when the regulation is stopped, the daughter was inwards her in addition to her parents took her to non elbow grease a problem. For this argue nosotros hold off the twenty-four hours before the nuptials to give dowry in addition to celebrate the nuptials the side past times side day. Today, the province of affairs has changed. Soon equally at that topographic point is engagement, it is said that the married adult man must maintain his hereafter married adult woman in addition to select attention of her. On the occasion of the celebrations Korité Tabaski in addition to also, it must brand a displace , "said the lady.

Circumcision amidst the Soninke

Circumcision is i of the most of import inwards the life of a man child Soninké times. Like many other communities inwards the world, is a practise circoncion originally unknown. As long equally nosotros go back, the Soninko take away hold ever practiced circoncison regarding immature boys. Such equally matrimony or baptism, circumcision is a really of import measurement inwards the life of immature Soninke. It is only held for life a whole historic menses group. It gives important to Fedde which brings all the boys inwards the same historic menses group. This historic menses grouping are together birou ie the instance of men. There is a life before circumcision in addition to life after this episode. In Soninkara the give-and-take murunté way a man child who is non yet circumcised. Thus nosotros differentiate a circumcised in addition to uncircumcised in addition to person. In Soninkés the give-and-take murunté utilization of pejorative vocabulary when it is launched inwards the human face upward of someone. This measurement is allowing the murunté to larn a man. This is the passage from adolescence to adulthood.

Soninke men oftentimes beak most their circumcision past times the fact that they took the pants. Circumcision is non limited exclusively to this surgical deed tradionnele beyond its uncomplicated procedure, the ritual of circumcision highlights, physical endurance, pain, courage. This ritual reveals the intrinsic graphic symbol of the child. Formerly connoisseurs repèraient hereafter strongmen potent character. Each man child has a duty to remain stoic in addition to enduring inwards pain. And he honors his family, his bring upward in addition to he shall live praised in addition to sung past times griots related to his family.

Ceremonies related to circumcision differ amidst regions in addition to localities Soninkés. Often these ceremonies are based on i historic menses group. Preparations in addition to ceremonies of pre-circumcision are various in addition to variés.Les boys from circumcision, accompanied past times BAWO, the master copy of initiation, go circular the identify unit of measurement in addition to have gifts. The eve of the circumcision, the caput of blacksmiths , the xirise withon appoints people who volition live responsible for performing the operation. Men nominated should refrain from whatever sexual human relationship overnight. The nighttime before the operation, the boys dancing inwards the fellowship of BAWO, reciting incantations protecting. The BAWO is non anyone, it belongs to a identify unit of measurement who has the ability to tell the souxouña (bloodsuckers in addition to dotted terrible powers) in addition to other mouno (genius who has scoured the land, retires the bottom of the water). Initiated with members of his family, they go to the bush in addition to assemble medicinal plants that are supposed to protect hereafter circumcised bad witches in addition to spellcasters.

The eve of the ceremony, nosotros organize dances in addition to hereafter circumcised trip the low-cal fantastic toe all night. Th even nosotros organize trip the low-cal fantastic toe gayinde that volition mobilize all immature people in addition to hamlet elders inwards item fedde concerned. Dancers (men, women, youth, combined) autumn into circular line to a greater extent than or less the drummers drumming. They atomic number 82 the trip the low-cal fantastic toe belatedly into the night. After a nighttime of dancing in addition to singing, hereafter circumcised go into houses in addition to swallow everything they find. They were previously prepared the most delicious dishes.

In the morning, the boys go to the river to wash. In return, their heads are shaved in addition to made to vesture clothe circumcised. All children are gathered inwards i place, ever led past times BAWO. Adult men of the identify were also present.

Once the foreskin cut, it is given to the begetter who gave it to plow to mom. The latter volition live buried inwards a corner of the forest. The children thence select the traditional white tunic in addition to cap circumcised.

Maxims in addition to Poverbes Soninké: DIGAN JUPPU WALLA DIGAN XOORO
1 - Suwanne i roxoye moxo moxo, yr na ga ra yi nexeyi yr goxundini
Whatever the smallness of a fly, if yous underestimate it, it tin brand yous sick (dont underestimate anyone)

2 - Maran lenme i defoye doore lefi fe
The modest attic does non hateful a lack of clay

3 - Sokke live bakka ga jin naxaanen na ta ke battaran yinbe lagana
The grass growing inwards the middle of the water, cannot live reached past times fire

4 - Maxa nkitte lo yitte i korome naxa
Do non pose your hands betwixt the tree in addition to its bark

5 - Maaren gajanŋe has tiidini agone nta x kumini
H5N1 familly declaration tin exclusively brand a "smoke" but non "fire". (A identify unit of measurement declaration is ever circumscribed before degenerating)

six -. Yaali wo sere live ga nti tappe mulla manna xa na nwalla kaccingolli TinEye is
i who does non similar rope knots must non acquit a pocketbook of nodes

7 - Finkinten ga da janba lege gede EQIA has geesundaanan do Naani doome
If the blind trip the low-cal fantastic toe "Janba" at the well, at that topographic point is no dubiety he is with his guide

8 - Soron ñan Xawa tini yr nwujamu da, xa nñinme my Xawa tini da nwujamu
It is others who should say hello, non yourself.

NBA star Mamodou Datt is one-half Soninke

ix - Manna da xan soro filli gajanŋundi do tanpille bat, gelli baanen gan ta do tanmu do Karago
When 2 people vies for the sharing of hundred francs, except that i would take away hold seventy-five.

10 - Tonu Maxa yr kallu yaxaren ko da, ga yr my Maano rondi yr konpe
Do non tell your truth to your stepmother, your fiancée volition desert you

11 - Maaren gajanŋe has tiidini agone nta x kumini
H5N1 familly declaration smoke, but never select handgrip of fire

12 - Sokke live seren ga ta ken yaaxen karana walla
The blade of grass tin pierce your eye, i doesnt catch it developing.

xiii - Seren maxa kattund'i sin yinme na ti siwanne taaxeyi
Do non draw the horse's caput because a wing is placed there.

fourteen - An ga nexu janbayen NA, siiti yr jon ña
dont underestimate a plot hatched before you.

fifteen - Grab nes rege toro yi, a na yous i jootan Naani
When the horn is equal to the ear, it doesnt brand the 2 equal.

sixteen - Sere i Faaba taaxu bere baane Kanma, ken lanti yr Faaba Naana njoota
If a kid sit down with his begetter inwards the same place, it doesnt brand him his equal.

17 - An ga na yaxare kin'i teyinnen Na na thee gaaga yillen your kerene yi
If yous tell a adult woman to sell her copèpouse it volition sell before the side past times side

xviii - Maxa nkitte lo jiiba yi gan yr doroke thee xanne
Do non pose your paw inwards a bag boubou doors if yous do non ain it.

DIGAN JUPPU WALLA DIGAN XOORO

xix - ga da Finkinten janba lege gede EQIA has geesundaanan do Naani doome
If the blind trip the low-cal fantastic toe "Janba" beside the well, he is with his guide

20 - Soron ñan Xawa tini yr nwujamu da, xa nñinme my Xawa tini da nwujamu It is for people to say howdy to you, non yourself.

21 - Yenbe live kumiini ga jin naxaanen na maxa dagayi An Na ti fuutene
burn downwards shining inwards the middle of the river, ameliorate blow to revive

22 - Manna da xan your Kattu yaaxe, sexu Maxan jin naaxu ga fe
What has i human foot inwards i eye, but a restless sleep.

Soninke people
source:http://www.soninkara.org/

Oumou Sangare: Sonic And Political Muscle
past times ROBERT CHRISTGAU
With the decease of Miriam Makeba, Mali's Oumou Sangare stands unchallenged equally Africa's most of import woman somebody singer. Sangare was singing for coin at historic menses 5 in addition to supporting her identify unit of measurement at 13. Now, after a 12-year absence during which she raised a boy in addition to ran a hotel, a farm in addition to other businesses, she has released a novel album called Seya.

No major African participant has been to a greater extent than outspoken most women's issues. Take the vocal "Wele Wele Wintou," which criticizes kid marriage. The championship phrase, which repeats many times during the frenetic five-minute track, way something similar "ring the bells." In betwixt "wele weles," Sangare warns fathers that girls shouldn't espouse before they take away hold breasts, which is when their life equally women begins. For Malian women, Sangare is unquestionably an inspiration.

But inwards America, her political musculus is conveyed generally through music. Notice the flute in addition to drums on the atomic number 82 track, "Sounsoumba." I'm glad "Sounsoumba" advocates "respect for women" in addition to "solidarity inwards marriage." But I don't demand to know precisely what Sangare is saying, because I'm thence impressed past times what she's maxim it over: the turbo ability of Paris-based, Guadeloupe-raised, Ivory Coast-born flutist Malik Mezzadri in addition to trap drums past times Will Calhoun of the American stone band Living Colour.

Ingrid Monson (left), Quincy Jones Professor of African-American Music, dances with Oumou Sangare,

Sangare's volition to marshal such forces is new. When she came upward inwards the '90s, she was known for just slightly modernizing the rural music of the Malian south. Seya is far to a greater extent than varied in addition to ambitious, utilizing to a greater extent than than 50 backup players. "Donso" is an allegorical vocal most hunting, but notice the violin intro; the hypnotic beat is traditional. But that violin utilization conjures the Cairo string audio that dominated North African popular for a half-century.

Clearly a adult woman of power, Oumou Sangare is claiming that sound, in addition to this proud internationalism exclusively makes her seem stronger. But ultimately, her strength proceeds from her commitment to Mali. Nowhere on the album is she to a greater extent than robust than inwards its finale. "Koroko" way entertainer, in addition to on the vocal of the same name, some dozen Malian men in addition to women aid Sangare celebrate all the korokos who vitalized her impoverished land before her.