Linguére Louga Senegal

The new West African state of Djolof, named for the central province where the king resides, had been a vassal of the Mali Empire for much of its early history, and has remained within that empire's sphere of influence.

At least some of its institutions may have been borrowed directly or developed alongside those of its larger predecessor.

There is a developed hierarchical system involving different classes of royal and non-royal nobles, free men, occupational castes and slaves.

Occupational castes include blacksmiths, jewelers, tanners, tailors, musicians and griots.

Smiths are important to the society for their ability to make weapons of war as well as their trusted status for mediating disputes fairly.

Griots are employed by every important family as chroniclers and advisors, without whom much of early Djolof history would be unknown.

Wolof nobility are nominally Muslim but Islam will fail to fully penetrate Wolof society until about the nineteenth century.

Throughout the different classes, intermarriage is rarely allowed.

Women cannot marry upwards, and their children do not inherit the father's superior status.

Women are influential in government, however.