roog

Roog (also rendered Rooog in some sources) is the supreme deity in the traditional religion of the Serer people of Senegal, the Gambia, and Mauritania. In Serer cosmology, Roog is the creator of the universe and the source of life and order. Accounts of Roog’s nature vary: some describe a transcendent, non-anthropomorphic god who established cosmic law, while others portray Roog as a distant parent who delegates creation and governance to mediating spirits and the ancestors. The creation myth centers on Roog initiating the world and humanity, though the specific sequence of events and names of beings differ across communities.

Worship of Roog is typically conducted through prayers, offerings, and rituals led by traditional religious practitioners. Notably, the Saltigue, or female diviners, communicate with ancestors and the divine to seek guidance, rain, harvest, and protection. Roog is honored in ceremonies that emphasize gratitude for life, respect for ancestors, and social harmony. While Islam and Christianity are now widespread among Serer communities, many people maintain traditional beliefs about Roog as an enduring part of their cultural heritage.

In scholarly literature, Roog is discussed as a central figure that illuminates Serer religion, including concepts of creation, morality, and the ongoing relationship between the living and the dead. The topic intersects with studies of West African cosmology, ritual practice, and the history of the Serer people.