+12
+3
People cluster
Wolof-Serer
Unreached
0.2%
Evangelicals
Who they are
The Wolof and the Serer are neighboring peoples of Senegal, on the west coast of Africa, and together they number almost 10 million people. The Wolof are the largest people in the country and their language, Wolof, is spoken by almost all Senegalese in the market, in the street and on the radio. They also live in the Gambia, in Mauritania and in communities in Spain, Italy, France and the United States.
Many live from growing peanuts and millet, a small-grained cereal, from trade and from fishing. In the cities, such as Dakar, the capital, they work in every kind of trade. The extended family, hospitality and respect for elders are highly valued.
The great majority are Muslim and follow the Sufi brotherhoods, religious groups guided by a spiritual leader, called a marabout, to whom the faithful give great loyalty. The best known is that of the Mourides, centered on the holy city of Touba. Christians are few, even fewer among the Wolof.
What sets the subgroups apart
The Wolof and the Serer are close, but not the same. The Wolof became Muslim earlier. The Serer, who live in the Sine and Saloum region, in west-central Senegal, kept their traditional religion longer and today have a larger Catholic minority than other peoples of the country. Léopold Senghor, the first president of Senegal, was Serer and Catholic.
Among the Wolof are the Lebou, fishermen of the Dakar peninsula, who have their own traditions and leaders. Groups such as the Safen, Non and Ndut Serer, near Thiès, carry the Serer name but speak languages different from ordinary Serer, so different that they do not understand it.
Where they are still unreached
15
Countries
9.6M
Population
| Country | Share of the people | Population |
|---|---|---|
Senegal
|
90.3%
|
8.677.000 |
Gambia
|
4.7%
|
454.000 |
Spain
|
0.9%
|
88.000 |
Mali
|
0.9%
|
86.000 |
Italy
|
0.8%
|
79.000 |
United States
|
0.7%
|
68.000 |
France
|
0.4%
|
42.000 |
Mauritania
|
0.3%
|
29.000 |
Côte d’Ivoire
|
0.2%
|
22.000 |
Congo - Brazzaville
|
0.2%
|
15.000 |
Gabon
|
0.2%
|
15.000 |
Guinea-Bissau
|
0.1%
|
11.000 |
Canada
|
0.1%
|
8.000 |
Germany
|
0.1%
|
6.100 |
United Kingdom
|
0.1%
|
5.500 |
The 6 peoples in this cluster
What to pray for
Intercede for this people
May the Wolof come to know Jesus as the way to God and find in him peace and forgiveness.
For the Serer Christians, that they may live their faith with joy and be a light to their neighbors.
For the Lebou fishermen of the Dakar coast, that they may have a living and hear the gospel.
For Wolof living in Europe and the United States, that they may find welcoming churches.
May the Bible and audio messages in Wolof be heard across Senegal and the Gambia.
For the Safen, Non and Ndut Serer, that they may have the Word of God in their own languages.