CULTURE

Ndianda, named after a tree called ndiandam, is a village inhabited by different population groups, mostly Sérères and Wolofs. 

It was created around 1874 by inhabitants of the Saloum who refused to be Islamized. Its founders were the Ndiaye and Ndao families, led by Yigo Ndiaye, who converted to Catholicism shortly before his death with the first name Norbert. The Sainte Etienne church at the entrance to the village was built in 1902 under Monseigneur KOBES.

Most of the village's inhabitants are Muslims or Christians.

The main social events are celebrated according to custom, religion or in a mixed way, depending on the ethnic and religious affiliation of the family concerned.

Families tend to be large, and more than three generations may share the same household. The father or eldest child is the head of the family. 

His role is to make decisions, solve problems, settle disputes and represent the wider family at important events in village life (christenings, weddings, funerals)

Respect for others is extremely important, not only for developing good relationships and good manners, but also, and above all, for preserving the honor and cohesion of the family to which one belongs.

As far as dress codes are concerned, the loincloth remains the favorite among women. It is worn sewn into a "ndobin" loincloth-"ndokett" ensemble, a "low-cut" loincloth-marinière, or a "grand-boubou" loincloth. While "sabador" with calfan "mbapp" in Sérère or "thiaya" with grand-boubou remain the preferred daily garments for men.

Dress can vary depending on the event. For example, the attire of a woman coming out of her traditional "Batin" initiation is unique. Similarly, the uniform of a young man undergoing initiation into the Men's Hut (the Nest) "Ndut" in Sérère, or that of a young man preparing to enter it "o xaat", is special. Certain forms of traditional dress are tending to disappear. These include "a laat" or "a paang" in Serer, or "nguemb" in Wolof. However, this type of clothing is still worn during traditional wrestling sessions organized at the start of the winter season in general, and after the harvest in particular.

Each ethnic group has its own traditional dance.

 The Sérères dance "Nguel", "Riti", "Mbayidd", "a Maagn" to the rhythm of percussion and song. The Wolofs generally dance the "Sabar". It should be noted, however, that everyone knows how to dance the dance of the other group.

The griots provide the percussion, using the traditional tam tam made from a hollowed-out tree trunk with goatskin on one side. 

It's the shape, size and way in which the tam tam is covered that gives it the specific resonance and sound desired by the griot.

The Laobés devote themselves to wood craftsmanship, making "o rone" wooden gourds, benches, mortars, pestles and various decorative and everyday objects.

Blacksmiths - "Paal'o tafakh" in Sérère or "Teugg" in Wolof - specialize in metal and sometimes pottery, a role they share with griots. They make domestic utensils such as cooking pots, bowls, canaries, thiouraye incense burners and flower pots. Blacksmiths also make and repair agricultural equipment such as hilars, hoes, handcrafted machines and other work tools.

Ultimately, even though urban migration and the influence of television and the media are bringing villagers increasingly into contact with the Western world, the character of the extended family, along with traditional forms of life and dress, celebrations of certain family ceremonies such as baptism, marriage, funerals and traditional dances, remain the mainstay of everyday life.