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NJ

Njuup

The Njuup tradition is a Serer style of music rooted in the Ndut initiation rite, which is a rite of passage that young Serers must go through once in their lifetime as commanded in the Serer

History#

Njuup songs are religious in nature. Modern Senegambian artists who sing the purest form of Njuup in the Serer language include Rémi Jegaan Dioh and Yandé Codou Sène.

Influence#

Njuup is the progenitor of Mbalax music. Mbalax music originated when prominent Senegalese artists, such Youssou N’Dour, began to incorporate Njuup into their works Unlike Njuup, which is religious, Mbalax is party music. All Mbalax artists are strongly influenced by the Njuup tradition. Senegalese artists who specialize in Mbalax include Mbaye Dieye Faye, Youssou N’Dour, and Thione Seck.

See also#

  • Mbalax
  • Music of Senegal
  • Junjung
  • Talking drum
  • Sabar
  • Timeline of Serer history
  • Serer ancient history

Further reading#

  • Dione, Salif, “L’appel du Ndut ou l’initiation des garçons seereer”, Dakar, Institut Fondamental d’Afrique Noire / Enda-Editions(2004)
  • Gravrand, Henry, “La civilisation sereer : Pangool”, vol.2, Les Nouvelles Editions Africaines du Sénégal, (1990),
  • Faye, Louis Diène, “Mort et Naissance Le Monde Sereer”, Les Nouvelles Edition Africaines (1983),
Genre family
Ancient music, Religious music
Region
Senegal, the Gambia