Serer

The Serer are an ethnic group of West Africa, primarily in Senegal and The Gambia. They are one of the largest ethnic groups in Senegal, centered in the Sine-Saloum region along the Petite Côte, with communities in other parts of Senegal and across the border in The Gambia.

They speak Serer languages, a branch of the Niger-Congo language family. The most widely spoken variety is Serer-Sine. Other Serer languages include Ndut and Noo. Serer speakers are often bilingual, using Wolof or French in addition to their own language.

Historically, Serer society was organized around the kingdoms of Sine and Saloum, with distinct political institutions and complex agricultural and ritual life. They interacted with neighboring powers, including the Jolof Empire, and were later folded into French colonial rule. Independence brought continued cultural revival and adaptation.

Traditional Serer religion centers on a supreme creator, Roog, and on ancestor veneration, with sacred trees and shrines playing important roles. The Ndut initiation is a notable Serer rite of passage. Today many Serer are Muslim or Christian, often practicing elements of their traditional beliefs alongside other faiths.

Notable Serer figures include the poet and statesman Léopold Sédar Senghor, a founder of negritude and the first president of Senegal.