Wolof

“Wolof: Muslim people of Senegal and Gambia speaking the language of the Atlantic branch of the Niger-Congo family. In the 14^th-16^th centuries the Wolof maintained a powerful empire. Traditional Wolof society was highly stratified, consisting of royalty, an aristocracy, a warrior class, commoners, slaves, and members of despised artisan castes. Today most Wolof (numbering 4.5 million) are farmers, but many live and work in Dakar and Banjul. Wolof women are renowned for their elaborate hair styles, abundant gold ornaments, and voluminous dresses.”

Excerpted/Adapted from: Stevens, Mark A., Ed. Merriam Webster’s Collegiate Encyclopedia. Springfield, Massachusetts: Merriam-Webster, 2000.