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THE PEOPLES OF SENEGAL |
The Wolof
(36 % of the total population).
The Lebu (a sub-group of Wolof, estimated
number : 80,000) live in the Cap-Vert peninsula
(they may be originating from Mauritania).
The Serere (19 % of the total population)
live in the Saloum and " la
Petite Côte".
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The Toucouleur (12 %)
settled on the banks of the river Senegal
between Podor
and Matam.
They were the first ethnic group to be islamized.
Toucouleur woman
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The Peul (10 %) live mainly in the central area
of the country though they can be also met
on the whole territory and beyond the frontiers
(they are a nomadic people, also known as
Foulani, Foulbé, Poulo). Their origin
is much debated..
Woman from Saint-Louis
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The Diola
(8 %) live in Lower Casamance
(sub-groups : the Floup, Bliss, Karone,
Fogny, Diougout, Diamant, Bayot and Essyle).
The great majority is animist.
Diola woman
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The Mandingue (350,000)
came from Mali in the middle of the XIXth
century and settled in Upper Casamance
and Upper Gambia.
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The Moor are a Berber half cast and live all
over the country.
Moor
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