| The largest ethnic group of
Senegal is composed of the Wolofs (or Ouolofs)
who are geographically bordered by the Toucouleurs
(river Senegal) and the Sereres (Sine-Saloum).
As regards the history of Senegal, the
Wolofs created the kingdoms of Ovalo, Kayor,
Bayol and Dyolof, which disappeared in the
course of the French military conquest of
the country at the end of the XIXth century.
The disintegration of the Wolofs' social
structures was to further the development
of Islam in the country.
Parenthood is characterised by either a
patriarcal typed family or a matriarcal
typed one.
The Wolof society is organized in castes
(princely families, nobility, farmers, hammersmiths,
weavers, wood workers, leather workers,
griots).
The Wolofs are the largest part of the population
in Dakar.
Their tongue is the main tongue spoken there.
Their dominating position in the country's
economy and policy is at the root of a process
of "wolofization" of the
whole Senegalese society.
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