PEOPLE The
population was estimated in 2002 at about 10.5millions
, of which a quarter live in the agglomeration of Dakar.The population is a mosaic
of various tribes;
viz-Wolof 43.3%, Pular
23.8%, Serer 14.7%, Jola 3.7%, Mandinka 3%, Soninke 1.1%, European and
Lebanese 1%, other 9.4%
The Wolofs, are the most represented (43.3%);they
make up the majority in all the regions, especially in the centre, the
north and the coast of Dakar and Saint Louis. The wolofs, mainly Muslims, are
merchants and farmersby profession .They
exercise great influence in the national economy. The Lebous,are
fisherman community in the peninsula of Cap vert.Wolofs
and Lebous are inter-related.
The
Pulaar (20%), is in the northern Senegal. The Sereres (17%) are less
scattered out than the other ethnic groups. They can be found in the
Sine-Saloum delta.Majority of them are
Muslims engaged infishing and agriculture.
The Diolas (10%) can be found in the Casamance, but also in
Gambia and the Guinea-Bissau.They
are mainly animists – a faith akin to that of the oldcivilizations in the world-
Idol worshippers.DiolasChristiansare
also seen in the basse Casamance region (Ziguinchor, Oussouye, Cap
Skiring), and muslimsin the north and
east.
RELIGION
Majority of
Senegalis areMuslims ; they account for
about 92% of the population.Conversion to
Islamof the country took place some time
in the 11th century.Original
natives follow the indigenous faith; they are calledAnimists.They are about 6% of the
population.Theyworship
idols andfollow rituals in accordance
their primitive cultural heritage.In
spite of the onslaught of modern day beliefs, the Animists are still in
good number in Senegal.
