The Saltigue (other spelling: Saltigué, Saltigui or Saltigi in Serer[1][2]), are Serer high priests and priestesses who preside over the religious ceremonies and affairs of the Serer people, such as the Xooy (or Xoy) ceremony, the biggest event in the Serer religious calendar. They usually come from ancient Serer paternal families. Such a title is usually inherited by birthright.[3][4] In Serer country, Saltigue are always diviners. The scope of this article deals only with the Serer Saltigues – "diviners" (the high priests and priestesses) and termed by some scholars as "the ministers of the religious cult";[5] "pastors of the people"[6] or within the remits of these definitions.
In Serer, saltigue derives from two words: "sal" and "tigui"; sal means "meeting point of two ways. Place where one branch branches into two other branches. And by analogy, beam on which the roof of the hut rests." Tigui means "resting the roof of the hut." Tigui: really means (1). The combination of these two terms gave its name to "saltigue."[2]
Role of Saltigues
The Saltigues were advisers to Serer governments, for example in the old Serer Kingdoms of Sine, Saloum and Baol. Their principal role was and still is for the prosperity of the country. In this role, they were responsible for predicting the future of kings; the weather to come (for the purposes of agriculture); any natural disaster or political catastrophe that could befall the country; etc. As such, they were frequently consulted by the Serer kings (Maad a Sinig and Maad Saloum)[7] preferably at the beginning of the rainy season.[8]
Before a king launches a war against another kingdom, or to repel an attack from another kingdom, the king consults the great assembly of Saltigues to predict the outcome of the battle, as was the case of Saltigué and Diaraf Wassaly Sene and Saltigué Laba Diene Ngom at the Battle of Fandane-Thiouthioune (18 July 1867), commonly known as the Battle of Somb, during the reign of Maad a Sinig Kumba Ndoffene Famak Joof.[9][10][11][12] The assembly of Saltigues will predict the outcome, offer precautionary advice on when to launch the attack, the route to take to the battlefield and the animals to be sacrificed, etc. The role of Saltigue was not political. They are not government ministers or politicians, but spiritual advisors and elders. They are the Serer hereditary "Rain priests" – guardians of the Serer religion and customs, a birthright they inherited from their ancient Lamanic ancestors.[13]
In the precolonial period, during the Raan Festival[14] which takes place in Tukar annually on the second Thursday after the onset of the new moon in April, the kings (during the Guelowar period[15]) will attend the Raan Festival of Tukar, making their way from the capital (Diakhao). However, the king was extremely careful never to arrive before the Lamane[16] and always avoid direct encounters with the Lamane of Tukar. Whilst the Lamane was busy self-meditating, touring Tukar and making offerings to the pangool Jegan Joof, the Chief Saltigue and his associates drink sum-sum alcohol all morning before the Festival. It is reported that drinking sum-sum improves the Saltigue's vision of the future and the supernatural world.
Having prepared himself sufficiently, the Saltigue and his close associates leave the house and mount their horses, then start their own tour of some of the sacred places of the country. The Saltigué's tour is programmed to follow the king, but ultimately to cross his path at a location known as "Nenem". In this location, the king, aware that the Saltigue is coming, stops the royal entourage. The king and the royal entourage must wait for the Saltigue and his companions to pass. After these high priests and priestesses have passed, the king then gives the signal to the royal entourage to pass as they proceed to their next destination. This is the kind of respect that is afforded to the Saltigue.[17] Scholars like Alioune Sarr note that Saltigues are famously celebrated and respected in Serer Kingdoms because of their knowledge.[18]
Serer and Lebu healing methods
The Lebu people share many cosmo-spiritual beliefs with the Serers. Many Lebu rab (jinn) are actually Serer pangool (ancestral spirits or saints). The sacred dwelling place of the Lebu rab is the same as the Serer pangool called Sangomar, based on the ancient Serer and Diola legend of Jambooñ and Agaire.[19] – two young sisters whose boat split into half around the Point of Sangomar. One sails to the north, the other sails south. Those traveling south became the ancestors of the Diolas and the other became the ancestor of the Serers. The healing method of the Lebu is called ndepp while the Serer healing method is called Loup.[20][21][22][23][24]
^Catholic Church. Archdiocese of Kinshasa (Zaire), Aide inter-monastères, Catholic Church. Vie monastique et inculturation à la lumière des traditions et situations africaines: actes du colloque international, Kinshasa, 19-25 février 1989, Archdiocese of Kinshasa (Congo), Archidiocèse de Kinshasa (1989), p. 121
^ abCentre d'étude des civilisations, Cahiers du mythe, Issues 4-5, Nouvelles éditions africaines. (1978), p. 21
^Henri Gravrand. La Civilisation Seereer. Pangool. Published by Les Nouvelles Edition Africaines du Senegal (1990). ISBN2-7236-1055-1
^Kalis, Simone, "Medecine Traditionnele Religion et Divination Chez Les Seereer Siin du Senegal", L'Harmattan (1997), pp 11–297, ISBN2-7384-5196-9
^University of Texas at Austin. African and Afro-American Studies and Research Center, University of Texas at Austin. African and Afro-American Research Institute, African Studies Association. African Literature Committee, Modern Language Association of America. African Literatures Seminar, African Literature Association, Modern Language Association of America. African Literatures Division. "Research in African literatures, Volume 24". African and Afro-American Studies and Research Center, University of Texas [at Austin], 1993. p 97
^Diouf, Marcel Mahawa, Lances mâles: Léopold Sédar Senghor et les traditions Sérères, Centre d'études linguistiques et historiques par tradition orale, 1996. The University of Michigan. p 14
^In the Serer language, Maad and very rarely used Maat (though correct) means "king" i.e. Maad a Sinig (King of Sine), Maad Saloum (King of Saloum). The Lamanes, – the ancient Serer kings and landed gentry, should not be confused with the post-Guelowar Lamanes who were merely the landed gentry and provincial chiefs answerable to the king. There are two types of Lamanes in Serer chronology : Lamanes pre-Guelowar (the original Lamanes, kings and landowners) and Lamanes during and after the Guelowar period (1350–1969) (mere chiefs and landowners)
^Sarr, Alioune, Histoire du Sine-Saloum, Introduction, bibliographie et notes par Charles Becker, BIFAN, Tome 46, Serie B, n° 3–4, 1986–1987. p31
^Sarr, Alioune . Histoire du Sine-Saloum. Introduction, bibliographie et notes par Charles Becker, BIFAN, Tome 46, Serie B, n° 3–4, 1986–1987. pp 31–38
^Diouf, Mahawa, L'information Historique: L'exemple du Siin. Ethiopiques n°54 revue semestrielle de culture négro-africaine. Nouvelle série volume 7 2e semestre 1991
^Diouf, Niokhobaye, Chronique du Royaume du Sine, IFAN, commenté par Charles Becker & Victor Martin (1972)
^Klein, Martin A., Islam and Imperialism in Senegal Sine-Saloum, 1847–1914.Edinburgh University Press (1968), p 91
^Sarr, Alioune,, Histoire du Sine-Saloum, Introduction, bibliographie et notes par Charles Becker, BIFAN, Tome 46, Serie B, n° 3–4, 1986–1987. p31
^These should not be confused with pre-Guelowar Lamanes, who were the kings and landowners (the landed gentry among the old the Serer noble classes).
^Galvan, Dennis Charles, The State Must Be Our Master of Fire: How Peasants Craft Culturally Sustainable Development in Senegal. Berkeley, University of California Press ( 2004). pp 202–204
^Sarr, Alioune, Histoire du Sine-Saloum, Introduction, bibliographie et notes par Charles Becker, BIFAN, Tome 46, Serie B, n° 3–4, 1986–1987. p31
^Many variations of spelling especially Agaire. Sometimes spelt Ageen, Ougeney, Eugene, etc. Jambooñ is sometimes spelt Jambon, Jambonge, etc. Fata Ndiaye in Ethiopiques (in French) Le SIIN avant les Gelwaar 2013-10-29 at the Wayback Machine
^Ecole pratique des hautes études (France). 6. section: Sciences économiques et sociales. Cahiers d'études africaines, Volume 46, Issues 181–184. Mouton (2006). p 922
^Schwarz-Bart, Simone & Schwarz-Bart, André, In Praise of Black Women: Modern African women, Translated by: Rose-Myriam Réjouis, Val Vinokurov. Univ of Wisconsin Press, 2003. ISBN0-299-17270-8. p62.
^Taal, Ebou Momar, Senegambian Ethnic Groups: Common Origins and Cultural Affinities Factors and Forces of National Unity, Peace and Stability. 2010
^Wright, Donald R, Oral Traditions from the Gambia: Family elders. Ohio University Center for International Studies, Africa Program, 1979. ISBN0-89680-084-9. pp 48–189
August 21, 2023
saltigue, other, spelling, saltigué, saltigui, saltigi, serer, serer, high, priests, priestesses, preside, over, religious, ceremonies, affairs, serer, people, such, xooy, ceremony, biggest, event, serer, religious, calendar, they, usually, come, from, ancient. The Saltigue other spelling Saltigue Saltigui or Saltigi in Serer 1 2 are Serer high priests and priestesses who preside over the religious ceremonies and affairs of the Serer people such as the Xooy or Xoy ceremony the biggest event in the Serer religious calendar They usually come from ancient Serer paternal families Such a title is usually inherited by birthright 3 4 In Serer country Saltigue are always diviners The scope of this article deals only with the Serer Saltigues diviners the high priests and priestesses and termed by some scholars as the ministers of the religious cult 5 pastors of the people 6 or within the remits of these definitions Serer royal and religious titlesRoyal titlesLamane also religious Maad a SinigMaad SaloumTeigneLingeerLine of successionBuumiThilasLoulReligious titlesSaltigueThis box viewtalkedit Contents 1 Etymology 2 Role of Saltigues 3 Serer and Lebu healing methods 4 See also 5 NotesEtymology EditIn Serer saltigue derives from two words sal and tigui sal means meeting point of two ways Place where one branch branches into two other branches And by analogy beam on which the roof of the hut rests Tigui means resting the roof of the hut Tigui really means 1 The combination of these two terms gave its name to saltigue 2 Role of Saltigues EditThe Saltigues were advisers to Serer governments for example in the old Serer Kingdoms of Sine Saloum and Baol Their principal role was and still is for the prosperity of the country In this role they were responsible for predicting the future of kings the weather to come for the purposes of agriculture any natural disaster or political catastrophe that could befall the country etc As such they were frequently consulted by the Serer kings Maad a Sinig and Maad Saloum 7 preferably at the beginning of the rainy season 8 Before a king launches a war against another kingdom or to repel an attack from another kingdom the king consults the great assembly of Saltigues to predict the outcome of the battle as was the case of Saltigue and Diaraf Wassaly Sene and Saltigue Laba Diene Ngom at the Battle of Fandane Thiouthioune 18 July 1867 commonly known as the Battle of Somb during the reign of Maad a Sinig Kumba Ndoffene Famak Joof 9 10 11 12 The assembly of Saltigues will predict the outcome offer precautionary advice on when to launch the attack the route to take to the battlefield and the animals to be sacrificed etc The role of Saltigue was not political They are not government ministers or politicians but spiritual advisors and elders They are the Serer hereditary Rain priests guardians of the Serer religion and customs a birthright they inherited from their ancient Lamanic ancestors 13 In the precolonial period during the Raan Festival 14 which takes place in Tukar annually on the second Thursday after the onset of the new moon in April the kings during the Guelowar period 15 will attend the Raan Festival of Tukar making their way from the capital Diakhao However the king was extremely careful never to arrive before the Lamane 16 and always avoid direct encounters with the Lamane of Tukar Whilst the Lamane was busy self meditating touring Tukar and making offerings to the pangool Jegan Joof the Chief Saltigue and his associates drink sum sum alcohol all morning before the Festival It is reported that drinking sum sum improves the Saltigue s vision of the future and the supernatural world Having prepared himself sufficiently the Saltigue and his close associates leave the house and mount their horses then start their own tour of some of the sacred places of the country The Saltigue s tour is programmed to follow the king but ultimately to cross his path at a location known as Nenem In this location the king aware that the Saltigue is coming stops the royal entourage The king and the royal entourage must wait for the Saltigue and his companions to pass After these high priests and priestesses have passed the king then gives the signal to the royal entourage to pass as they proceed to their next destination This is the kind of respect that is afforded to the Saltigue 17 Scholars like Alioune Sarr note that Saltigues are famously celebrated and respected in Serer Kingdoms because of their knowledge 18 Serer and Lebu healing methods EditThe Lebu people share many cosmo spiritual beliefs with the Serers Many Lebu rab jinn are actually Serer pangool ancestral spirits or saints The sacred dwelling place of the Lebu rab is the same as the Serer pangool called Sangomar based on the ancient Serer and Diola legend of Jamboon and Agaire 19 two young sisters whose boat split into half around the Point of Sangomar One sails to the north the other sails south Those traveling south became the ancestors of the Diolas and the other became the ancestor of the Serers The healing method of the Lebu is called ndepp while the Serer healing method is called Loup 20 21 22 23 24 See also Edit Senegal portal Gambia portal Traditional African religion portal Religion portal Africa portal Mauritania portalSerer religion Roog Serer people Lebu people Serer prehistory HogonNotes Edit Catholic Church Archdiocese of Kinshasa Zaire Aide inter monasteres Catholic Church Vie monastique et inculturation a la lumiere des traditions et situations africaines actes du colloque international Kinshasa 19 25 fevrier 1989 Archdiocese of Kinshasa Congo Archidiocese de Kinshasa 1989 p 121 a b Centre d etude des civilisations Cahiers du mythe Issues 4 5 Nouvelles editions africaines 1978 p 21 Henri Gravrand La Civilisation Seereer Pangool Published by Les Nouvelles Edition Africaines du Senegal 1990 ISBN 2 7236 1055 1 Kalis Simone Medecine Traditionnele Religion et Divination Chez Les Seereer Siin du Senegal L Harmattan 1997 pp 11 297 ISBN 2 7384 5196 9 University of Texas at Austin African and Afro American Studies and Research Center University of Texas at Austin African and Afro American Research Institute African Studies Association African Literature Committee Modern Language Association of America African Literatures Seminar African Literature Association Modern Language Association of America African Literatures Division Research in African literatures Volume 24 African and Afro American Studies and Research Center University of Texas at Austin 1993 p 97 Diouf Marcel Mahawa Lances males Leopold Sedar Senghor et les traditions Sereres Centre d etudes linguistiques et historiques par tradition orale 1996 The University of Michigan p 14 In the Serer language Maad and very rarely used Maat though correct means king i e Maad a Sinig King of Sine Maad Saloum King of Saloum The Lamanes the ancient Serer kings and landed gentry should not be confused with the post Guelowar Lamanes who were merely the landed gentry and provincial chiefs answerable to the king There are two types of Lamanes in Serer chronology Lamanes pre Guelowar the original Lamanes kings and landowners and Lamanes during and after the Guelowar period 1350 1969 mere chiefs and landowners Sarr Alioune Histoire du Sine Saloum Introduction bibliographie et notes par Charles Becker BIFAN Tome 46 Serie B n 3 4 1986 1987 p31 Sarr Alioune Histoire du Sine Saloum Introduction bibliographie et notes par Charles Becker BIFAN Tome 46 Serie B n 3 4 1986 1987 pp 31 38 Diouf Mahawa L information Historique L exemple du Siin Ethiopiques n 54 revue semestrielle de culture negro africaine Nouvelle serie volume 7 2e semestre 1991 Diouf Niokhobaye Chronique du Royaume du Sine IFAN commente par Charles Becker amp Victor Martin 1972 Klein Martin A Islam and Imperialism in Senegal Sine Saloum 1847 1914 Edinburgh University Press 1968 p 91 Sarr Alioune Histoire du Sine Saloum Introduction bibliographie et notes par Charles Becker BIFAN Tome 46 Serie B n 3 4 1986 1987 p31 See Serer religion for Raan Festival In Serer history and chronology the Guelowar period starts from 1350 during the reign of Maad a Sinig Maysa Wali Jaxateh Manneh the first Guelowar king to reign in Serer country i e the Kingdom of Sine and ends in 1969 following the deaths of Maad a Sinig Mahecor Joof and Maad Saloum Fode N Goye Joof king of Sine and Saloum respectively These should not be confused with pre Guelowar Lamanes who were the kings and landowners the landed gentry among the old the Serer noble classes Galvan Dennis Charles The State Must Be Our Master of Fire How Peasants Craft Culturally Sustainable Development in Senegal Berkeley University of California Press 2004 pp 202 204 Sarr Alioune Histoire du Sine Saloum Introduction bibliographie et notes par Charles Becker BIFAN Tome 46 Serie B n 3 4 1986 1987 p31 Many variations of spelling especially Agaire Sometimes spelt Ageen Ougeney Eugene etc Jamboon is sometimes spelt Jambon Jambonge etc Fata Ndiaye in Ethiopiques in French Le SIIN avant les Gelwaar Archived 2013 10 29 at the Wayback Machine The Cosaan Foundation permanent dead link Ecole pratique des hautes etudes France 6 section Sciences economiques et sociales Cahiers d etudes africaines Volume 46 Issues 181 184 Mouton 2006 p 922 Schwarz Bart Simone amp Schwarz Bart Andre In Praise of Black Women Modern African women Translated by Rose Myriam Rejouis Val Vinokurov Univ of Wisconsin Press 2003 ISBN 0 299 17270 8 p62 Taal Ebou Momar Senegambian Ethnic Groups Common Origins and Cultural Affinities Factors and Forces of National Unity Peace and Stability 2010 Wright Donald R Oral Traditions from the Gambia Family elders Ohio University Center for International Studies Africa Program 1979 ISBN 0 89680 084 9 pp 48 189 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Saltigue amp oldid 1116584214, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
