Layene
Encyclopedia
The Layene are a politically autonomous religious community of the Lebou
people, who live in fishing communities on the Cap-Vert
peninsula, north of Dakar
, Senegal
. The Layene brotherhood is one of the smaller Muslim brotherhoods
of Senegal and is ruled in religious and temporal matters by their Khalifa-General
. Their headquarters is an elaborate mosque
on the beach at Yoff
. The town of Yoff is de facto
ruled by the Layene brotherhood, and also contains the mausoleum of its founder.
In 1812 the political independence of the Lebou from the Kingdom of Cayor
was recognized. Today the Layene are granted special autonomy in the constitution, laws and practices of Senegal. The present Khalifa-General of the Layene (in 2002) is Seydi Hadj Abdoulaye Thiaw Laye.
Lebou
The Lebou are an ethnic group of Senegal, West Africa, living on the peninsula of Cap-Vert. The Lebou are primarily a fishing community, but they have a substantial business in construction supplies. They speak Wolof. Their political and spiritual capital is at Yoff, just north of Dakar...
people, who live in fishing communities on the Cap-Vert
Cap-Vert
Cap-Vert is a peninsula in Senegal, and the westernmost point of the continent of Africa and of the Old World mainland. Originally called Cabo Verde or "Cape Green" by Portuguese explorers, it is not to be confused with the Cape Verde islands, which are some further west...
peninsula, north of Dakar
Dakar
Dakar is the capital city and largest city of Senegal. It is located on the Cap-Vert Peninsula on the Atlantic coast and is the westernmost city on the African mainland...
, Senegal
Senegal
Senegal , officially the Republic of Senegal , is a country in western Africa. It owes its name to the Sénégal River that borders it to the east and north...
. The Layene brotherhood is one of the smaller Muslim brotherhoods
Muslim brotherhoods of Senegal
This is a list of Muslim groups in Senegal . They are active Muslim organizations that can also be found in many other parts of Africa and the Islamic world.The three largest are:...
of Senegal and is ruled in religious and temporal matters by their Khalifa-General
Caliph
The Caliph is the head of state in a Caliphate, and the title for the ruler of the Islamic Ummah, an Islamic community ruled by the Shari'ah. It is a transcribed version of the Arabic word which means "successor" or "representative"...
. Their headquarters is an elaborate mosque
Mosque
A mosque is a place of worship for followers of Islam. The word is likely to have entered the English language through French , from Portuguese , from Spanish , and from Berber , ultimately originating in — . The Arabic word masjid literally means a place of prostration...
on the beach at Yoff
Yoff
Yoff is a town part of the city of Dakar. It lies north of downtown Dakar and immediately north of Dakar Airport . The town is built along the broad beach at Yoff Bay...
. The town of Yoff is de facto
De facto
De facto is a Latin expression that means "concerning fact." In law, it often means "in practice but not necessarily ordained by law" or "in practice or actuality, but not officially established." It is commonly used in contrast to de jure when referring to matters of law, governance, or...
ruled by the Layene brotherhood, and also contains the mausoleum of its founder.
In 1812 the political independence of the Lebou from the Kingdom of Cayor
Cayor
The Kingdom of Cayor was the largest and most powerful kingdom that split off from the Empire of Jolof , in what is now Senegal. Cayor was located in north and central Senegal, southeast of Waalo, west of the kingdom of Jolof and north of Baol and the Kingdom of Sine.In 1549, the king, or...
was recognized. Today the Layene are granted special autonomy in the constitution, laws and practices of Senegal. The present Khalifa-General of the Layene (in 2002) is Seydi Hadj Abdoulaye Thiaw Laye.