Njuup

Njuup
Stylistic origins	Serer religion (Ndut rite of passage[1][2][3][4])
Cultural origins	Ancient (religious)
Typical instruments	Tama, Perngel, Lamb, Qiin (especially in the Woong or Xaat dance[5]), Vocals, Sabar, Drum
Subgenres
Mbalax[1][2]

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 religion.^[3]

History

Njuup songs are religious in nature.^[6] For a large part of its history, Njuup was only used within the Ndut ritual. The history of Njuup comes from the older Ndut style of teachings. Young Serer boys in the ndut (nest) were required to create religious tunes during their rite of passage to take their minds off the transitional experience, build their aesthetic skills, and enhance their spirituality. The veneration of Serer Pangool influenced the songs of the Ndut, including Njuup.^[6]

Modern Senegambian artists who sing the purest form of Njuup in the Serer language include Rémi Jegaan Dioh^[4][7] and Yandé Codou Sène.^[8]

Influence

Main article: Mbalax

Njuup is the progenitor of Mbalax music.^[1][2] Mbalax music originated when prominent Senegalese artists, such Youssou N'Dour, began to incorporate Njuup into their works^[3][1][2] 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.^[4][3]

See also

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

References

1. Sturman, Janet, The SAGE International Encyclopedia of Music and Culture, SAGE Publications (2019), p. 1926 ISBN 9781483317748 [1] (Retrieved 13 July 2019)
2. Connolly, Sean, Senegal, Bradt Travel Guides (2009), p. 27, ISBN 9781784776206 [2] (Retrieved 13 July 2019)
3. (in English) The Culture trip : "Youssou N'Dour: An Unlikely Politician" (Retrieved : 28 June 2012)
4. (in French) Ferloo "Rémi Jegaan Dioh : Sur un air culturel et cultuel " Archived 2012-05-13 at the Wayback Machine (Retrieved : 28 June 2012)
5. (in French) Gravrand, Henry, "La civilisation seereer – Pangool, vol. 2, Les Nouvelles Editions Africaines du Senegal (1990), pp 48–49, ISBN 2723610551
6. (in French) Gravrand, Henry Le Ndut dans « L'héritage spirituel sereer : valuer traditionnelle d'hier, d'aujourd'hui et de demain » Archived 2008-04-06 at the Wayback Machine [in] Éthiopiques n° 31
7. (in French) All Africa "Sénégal: Rémi Diégane Dioh présente samedi son CD dédié à Senghor"
8. (in French) All Africa "Sénégal: Commémoration du dixième anniversaire du décès de Senghor – Les héritiers de Yandé Codou Sène et de Julien Jouga assurent les partitions"

Further reading

• Dione, Salif, "L’appel du Ndut ou l’initiation des garçons seereer", Dakar, Institut Fondamental d'Afrique Noire / Enda-Editions(2004) ISBN 92 9130 047 0
• Gravrand, Henry, "La civilisation sereer : Pangool", vol.2, Les Nouvelles Editions Africaines du Sénégal, (1990), ISBN 2-7236-1055-1
• Faye, Louis Diène, "Mort et Naissance Le Monde Sereer", Les Nouvelles Edition Africaines (1983), ISBN 2-7236-0868-9