ndut

Ndut is a term with cultural and linguistic significance in Senegambia, referring to a language as well as to a traditional initiation practice among Serer communities.

Ndut language: The Ndut language, also called Ndut Serer, is part of the Serer branch of the Niger-Congo language family. It is spoken by Ndut communities in parts of central Senegal and nearby The Gambia. It is closely related to other Serer varieties such as Serer-Sine and Noon, and it exists in several dialects. The language is used in everyday speech, oral literature, and customary ceremonies, though it faces pressures from dominant languages such as French and Wolof.

Ndut initiation: The Ndut rite is a longstanding initiation tradition among Serer and related groups. It is a rite of passage for youths that typically features instruction in history, genealogies, morality, cosmology, and social responsibilities, conducted under the guidance of elder and secret-society leaders. The ceremony may involve seclusion, instruction in sacred knowledge, and public performances, and it plays a key role in intergenerational knowledge transmission in communities where it is practiced. In modern times, variations and adaptations exist as communities balance tradition with education and changing social norms.