Language/Wolof/Culture/Ramadan-and-fasting

Ramadan (weeru koor) is an important time of the year for Senegalese people and it affects all the daily activities.

Those who are fasting must not eat, drink, have sexual intercourse, smoke ect … from “xëd” Ramadan breakfast till (ndogu) sundown, when people break the fast.

Some volunteers would like to fast for 1 or several days for gesture of solidarity or just experience. If you are not fasting be as discrete as possible about eating, drinking and smoking; However, people are tolerant but often time, they will ask the following questions:

• Ndax woor nga? (Are you fasting?),
• xana Wooroo? (Are you not fasting?)
• Yaangiy ci koor gi? (Are youwith the fasting?)
• Lutax wooroo? (Why aren’t you fasting?)

The answers could be:

• Waaw, dama woor (Yes, I’m fasting);
• Déedéet, wooruma (no, I’m not fasting);
• Maangi ci koor gi (I’m sticking with the fasting)
• Maangi ci weer wi (I’m not in the fasting)
• Duma jullit (I’m not a muslim).

With the completion of this lesson, consider investigating these related pages: Wolof Culture Politeness and Respect, Wolof Culture: History and Traditions of Art and Music, Wolof Kingdoms & Talking about bad experiences.

Source

http://publish.illinois.edu/wolof201fall14/files/2014/08/NEW_WOLOF_BOOK.pdf

Other Lessons

• Sërice or travel gifts
• Ndéwènal
• Baptism or naming ceremony
• Setting time
• Funerals
• Caste or social stratification considerations
• Taajabòon
• How to bargain
• Appearance and dress code