Tattaguine (orTataguine[1]) is a town in the west ofSenegal. It is also the name of therural community.[2][3]
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Tattaguinederives its name from abird calledTatta orTat in theSerer language.[4] According toSerer mythology, prior to human habitation of this locality, it was these birds that lived there. The wordGuine is the name of the bird's egg, i.e. the nesting of these birds.[4]SeveralSerer religious festivals andcustoms are observed in Tattaguine. TheNdut rite of passage (thecircumcision rite for boys) is just one of many rituals that are observed. It is in this rite thatthey receive their education about the cosmos and the paranormal world. The classical Ndut teachings prepare boys to be brave and honourable men. TheNdut (nest) is the hut where they receive their education. It is also the place they develop their artistic skills : singing, dancing and composing songs which are religious in nature (seeNjuup). The initiation usually takes place at night around a camp fire, where they are taught about the mysteries of theUniverse, Serer medicine, etc.[4]
Serer religion and culture forbids the circumcision of girls (FGM).Serer girls receive their initiation by tattooing of the gum. There is also theBok ceremony for young married women. This is a fertility rite.[4]
TheMisse is a religious dance. It takes place once year in April which coincides with theRaan festival. It is a dance that implores theSerer deities for rain in order to have good harvest.[4] It is sometimes referred to as the rain danceby some scholars. Somewhat similar to Misse is theXooy orKhoy ceremony.[5] The Xooy is not a dance but a religious ceremony where the Serer priestly class (theSaltigues) gather once a year todivine the future and the rainy season.[4]
Tattaguine is one of the old Serer countries though much younger than the historic and spiritual village ofYaboyabo. InSerer medieval anddynastic history, Tattaguine, which was in the pre-colonial SererKingdom of Sine was partnered with Ngouye because of their geographical affinity hence Ngouye-Tattaguine. Ngouye-Tattaguine gained particular prominence in the latter part of the 14th century, during the reigne ofMaad a Sinig Diessanou Faye (king of Sine). It was one of the royal villages at that time.[6] Diessanou Faye was the cousin and brother in law ofJaraff Boureh Gnilane Joof founder ofthe Royal House of Boureh Gnilane Joof, the first royal house founded by theJoof family. DuringFrance's colonization of Senegal, old Tattaguine was divided due to population growth. This demarcation led to the creation of new localities : i.e. Tattaguine-Sérère (orTattaguine-Serer) and Tattaguine-Mbabara (Tattaguine-Bambara). The division of the old Tattaguine created Tattaguine-Sérère founded in 1901.[4] Its first chief as of 1901 was Ngor Tine. The first chief of Tattaguine-Mbabara was Thierkoro Diakhate (also the same year).[4] Since the division, position for the chief has become hereditary.[4]
Tattaguine is the chief town of theTattaguine Arrondissement in theFatick Department, which lies within theFatick Region of Senegal.
The closest localities areYaboyabo (a holy place),Mbefel,Gaskor,Mboudaye Sek,Ndiefer andGaolamboura Diarab.[2]
Tattaguine's population consists mostly of theSerer people, the original inhabitants of this area.[3][7] They make up 99% of the total population.[3] Other groups include theBambara people.[4]
According to the site of PEPAM (Programme d'eau potable et d'assainissement du Millénaire ( 2012), the rural community of Tattaguine consists of 22,561 people and 2,552 houses.[8] That is equivalent to 2423 people for 274 homes.[9] As of May 2003, the estimated population was 20394.[3]
ThisSerer country used to be green and fertile, however, the peanut-monoculture has led to a decline inagricultural production and income. The main activity is seasonal subsistence farming. Crops grown include:millet,groundnut,cowpea (beans),watermelon,peppers,sorrel,bissap andtomato.[4]
