Language/Wolof/Culture/Sërice-or-travel-gifts

Gifts are an important part of hospitality, so the guest or anyone from a trip may bring gifts to present on arrival; that particular gift for a trip is called Sërice.

The host may offer the departing visitors a gift to take home with them and that one is called yòbbal.

If you are going from town to village, bring them things that are not readily available there: tea, sugar, kola nuts, candy for kids etc.

When you come from a trip, expect from people to ask you:

• “ana sama serice?” (Where is my travel gift?)

and the response may be:

• “dina ñëw” (it will come) or “Danga yéexa ñëw” (you came late).

When you are going to travel, some people may ask you to bring them gift even if they don’t mean it seriously:

• “indil ma serice”.

Just respond:

• “Bu soobee Yalla”, “In challah” (they both mean, if God willing).

Consider exploring these related pages after completing this lesson: Wolof Culture Politeness and Respect, Wolof Culture: History and Traditions of Art and Music, Giving directions & Family.

Source

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

Other Lessons

• Ndéwènal
• Visiting a sick person
• How to bargain
• Ramadan and fasting
• Talking about bad experiences
• Weddings
• How to deal with caste
• What are you expected to do
• Setting time