Language/Wolof/Culture/Etiquette-and-Politeness

Wolof → Culture → Etiquette and Politeness

As a Wolof language teacher with 20 years of experience, I truly believe that understanding the social norms and customs of a culture is essential to becoming proficient in the language. Therefore, in this lesson, we will explore the etiquette and politeness of Wolof culture.

While polite behavior is appreciated and valued in any culture, it is especially important for Wolof people. Wolof culture places a great emphasis on showing respect to others, especially elders or people in positions of authority. Being polite and respectful toward others is considered a sign of good character and a reflection of one's upbringing.

After mastering this lesson, these related pages might interest you: Politeness and Respect & Hierarchy.

Basic Etiquette in Wolof Culture

Here are some essential aspects of Wolof etiquette that you should be aware of:

Use of Greetings

Greetings are an essential part of Wolof culture and are used to show politeness and respect. When two Wolof people meet, they usually exchange greetings before starting any conversation. The most common Wolof greetings are:

• **Na nga def?** - How are you? (literally, "Are you at peace?")
• **Mangi dem?** - What's new? (literally, "What happened?")
• **Salaam aleikum** - Peace be upon you (the traditional Muslim greeting)

Handshakes

Handshakes are a common form of greeting in Wolof culture, especially in formal situations. When shaking hands with someone, be sure to use your right hand, as the left hand is considered impure. It's also common to hold onto the other person's hand for a few seconds after shaking it, as a sign of respect and friendship.

Showing Respect to Elders

Respect for elders is highly valued in Wolof culture, and young people are expected to show deference to their elders at all times. This means using formal language and titles when addressing older people, and avoiding any behavior that might be seen as rude or disrespectful. In formal settings, it is customary for younger people to greet their elders first, and to give them the best seats, food or drinks.

Gift Giving

Gift giving is an important aspect of Wolof culture, especially during special occasions such as weddings, births, or religious festivals. When giving a gift, it's essential to choose an appropriate item that reflects your relationship with the recipient, and to present it with both hands as a sign of respect. The recipient is expected to accept the gift graciously and to express their thanks with a smile or kind words.

Wolof Politeness Strategies

In Wolof culture, there are specific strategies that are used to express politeness and respect towards others. Here are some of the most common ones:

Using Honorific Titles

Wolof language has several honorific titles that are used to show respect towards someone. These titles are often used in formal settings when addressing elders, teachers, or people in positions of authority. Some common Wolof honorific titles are:

• **Modou** - used for Muslim scholars, religious leaders or judges
• **Yacine** - used for women who have gone on a religious pilgrimage to Mecca
• **Ousmane** - used for warriors or military personnel

Emphasizing Humility

In Wolof culture, it's also essential to display humility and modesty when interacting with others. Avoiding boasting or showing off your accomplishments is seen as a sign of good character and respect for others. Instead, it's more appropriate to downplay one's achievements and to give credit to others for their success.

Expressing Gratitude

In Wolof culture, showing gratitude is a sign of good manners and respect for others. When someone does something kind for you, it's essential to express your gratitude in a sincere and heartfelt way. This might include using specific phrases such as "sama xarit" (my friend) or "jërëjëf" (thank you).

Summary

In this lesson, we have explored the social norms and customs of Wolof culture concerning politeness and etiquette. We have seen that showing respect to others, especially elders or people in positions of authority, is highly valued in Wolof culture. By understanding these basic principles of Wolof etiquette, you'll be able to navigate social situations with confidence and ease, which will only help you in your journey towards fluency in Wolof.

Wolof	Pronunciation	English
Na nga def?	na nga def	How are you?
Mangi dem?	mangi dem	What's new?
Salaam aleikum	sah-lahm ah-lay-kum	Peace be upon you
Modou	mo-doo	Used for Muslim scholars, religious leaders or judges
Yacine	yah-see-nay	Used for women who have gone on a religious pilgrimage to Mecca
Ousmane	oo-smaan	Used for warriors or military personnel
sama xarit	sa-ma ha-REET	My friend
jërëjëf	jay-ray-jayf	Thank you

Other Lessons

• Family
• Importance of volunteer
• Family Members
• Caste or social stratification considerations
• Weddings
• Taajabòon
• Bargaining in transportation
• Baptism or naming ceremony
• The concept of “Inchallah”