| Joof family | |
|---|---|
 The totem and symbol of the Joof family is the antelope, symbolizing grace, royalty, wisdom, hard work and protection in Serer mythology. | |
| Country | Kingdom of Baol Kingdom of Sine Kingdom of Saloum Takrur (the Serers lineage Senegal (present-day) Gambia (former colony of Saloum) Mauritania (previously as Lamanes) |
| Founder | Lamane Jegan Joof (c. 11th century) Maad Ndaah Njemeh Joof(c. 1290) |
| Final ruler | Maad a Sinig Mahecor Joof (King of Sine, 1924-69) Maad Saloum Fode N'Gouye Joof (King of Saloum, 1935-69) Lamane Njaga Dibor Ndoffene Joof (Lamane Diaga Dibor Ndofene Diouf) - Lamane of Tukar (2004) |
| Titles | Lamane Maad Maad a Sinig Teigne Maad Saloum Bour |
| Dissolution | 1969 (last kings of Sine and Saloum), 2004 last known Lamane of Tukar |
| Cadet branches | |
Joof (English spelling in the Gambia) or Diouf (French spelling in Senegal and Mauritania) is a surname that is typically Serer. This surname is also spelt Juuf or Juf (in the Serer language).
Though there are multiple spellings for this surname, they all refer to the same people. The differences in spelling came about because Senegal was colonized by France, while the Gambia was colonized by the United Kingdom. Although spelt differently, they are pronounced the same way.
The totem and symbol of the Joof family is the antelope, the symbol of grace, royalty, wisdom, hard work and protection in Serer mythology. The name of their clan is "Njoofene" variations: "Njuufeen" or "Njufeen" (in Serer).[1][2] Members of this family had ruled over many of the pre-colonial kingdoms of Senegambia, including the Kingdom of Sine, the Kingdom of Saloum and the Kingdom of Baol. The royal princesses (Lingeers) from the Joof family were also given in marriage to the pre-colonial kings and princes of Senegambia. Some of these included the kings of Jolof, kings of Waalo, kings of Cayor and Baol (after 1549 following the Battle of Danki). From these marriages, they provided many heirs to the thrones of these kingdoms.[3][4] Although usually associated with Serer royalty, the Joof family also figure prominently in Serer religious affairs.
- ^ Faye, Louis Diène. Mort et naissance Nouvelles Éditions africaines, 1983, p. 74.
- ^ Gastellu, Jean-Marc (M. Sambe - 1937). L'égalitarisme économique des Serer du Sénégal. IRD Editions, 1981, p. 130. ISBN 2-7099-0591-4
- ^ Sarr, Alioune, "Histoire du Sine-Saloum (Sénégal). Introduction, bibliographie et notes par Charles Becker". Version légèrement remaniée par rapport à celle parue en 1986-87
- ^ Ndiaye Leyti, Oumar, Le Djoloff et ses Bourba, Dakar: Nouvelles Editions africaines, 1981, 110 pp.