"My dad said find someone new"

Yesterday in my Senegalese Society and Culture class we talked about the caste system in Senegal (though caste is a very loose word to describe the social system here). Traditionally castes were divided into two groups: those who tradespeople or artisans who create products necessary (called Neeno) and the other is composed of those who are not in the first group (called Gér). Within Neeno there is a degree of hierarchy with blacksmiths being at the top, leather workers, woodworkers, and weavers below them, essentially performing artists - literally people who make a living off their voice - after that. Below singers there used to be another group that gave praise to people all the time but because it was thought they didn't speak the through they eventually died out and were integrated into the group above them. Each of these groups within Neeno and the Gér are very distinct and names or roles in ceremonies can indicate what group an individual belongs to. Of course, because of these distinctions, intermarriage was and is not particularly accepted.

Yesterday evening I was talking with my host mom about the lesson on castes. She passionately agreed that castes are very important and when her children were looking for boyfriends or girlfriends, she had to tell them that the person needed to be from the same caste otherwise there would be problems and it simply would not be possible for them to date that person. She also added that Islam is a religion about equality for women, children, and men. But nonetheless the importance of dating and marrying within one's caste is critical. I think perhaps this is not because of the idea that one group is superior to the other (though that exists within the neeno hierarchy) but more because all trades are important and need to be carried on by somebody.

In the United States I think we would like to believe that we are above such a "caste" system. But our careers/professions and those of our parents are important factors in forming our identity. "Rags to riches" is a phrase commonly heard. Although it manifests itself differently, we aren't really all that different. Perhaps I shall have more thoughts on this to share as my knowledge of Senegalese society and culture and Islam deepen.