The patronym Faye (Serer: Fay) is one of the typical surnames of the Serer people of Senegal, the Gambia and Mauritania. In French-speaking Senegal and Mauritania, and English-speaking Gambia, the surname is spelled Faye.
This Serer surname is unrelated to the similar given name or surname in the Western world. They are also pronounced differently.
The name of their clan is Fayeen. The history of the Faye family is linked to Serer medieval history and Serer royalty. During the Guelowar period (the last maternal dynasty in the Serer kingdoms), the Faye family provided many of the kings of Sine. This family's biggest rival to the throne of Sine were the Joof family, with whom they have a long joking relationship according to Serer and Senegambian culture.
History
The early history of the Faye family goes back to Lamanic times, however they did not achieve particular fame and notoriety until the 14th century.Sarr, Alioune, "Histoire du Sine-Saloum", (Sénégal), Introduction, bibliographie et notes par Charles Becker. Version légèrement remaniée par rapport à celle qui est parue en 1986-87. p 19 The Faye family that had ruled the pre-colonial kingdoms of Sine trace descent to Boukar Djillakh Faye (variation: Bougar Birame Faye), an early 14th-century professional wrestler called njom in Serer and patriarch of this patriclan.Diouf, Niokhobaye, "Chronique du royaume du Sine", p 705-6 (pp 4-5) In the early 14th century, Boukar Djillakh Faye was regarded as one of the best wrestlers in Serer country. The Guelowar princess Lingeer Tening JomVariation: Tening Diom was given to him in marriage. Tening Jom was the niece of Maysa Wali who later became a Maad a Sinig (title for the king of Sine) — ruling from . From that marriage, they had several children including Tasse Faye (or Tassé Faye, the first from this family to rule Sine as Maad a Sinig during this era) and Waagaan Tening Jom Faye (the king with at least 24 children including 9 daughters)Serer proper: Waagaan Tening Jom Fay. Other variations: Wagane Tening Diom Faye or Waagane Massa Faye — one of the better known kings from this family. Dinned into Senegambian and Serer history, the Faye family, like their Joof counterparts are one of few Senegambian families that have a family anthem (boom). The name of their anthem is "Waagaan Koumbassandiane", (proper: Waagaan Kumbasaanjaan) who actually was a medieval king of Sine (Maad a Sinig Waagaan Kumbasaanjaan Faye Ndiaye, Fata, "La saga du peuple sérère et l'Histoire du Sine", in Éthiopiques (revue), numéro 54, vol. 7, 2e semestre 1991 ) reported to be one of the longest reigning kings of Sine and ancestor of this family. L’EPOPEE DE SANMOON FAY", Ethiopiques n°54 revue semestrielle de culture négro-africaine, Nouvelle série volume 7 2e semestre 1991 (Retrieved 14 August 2012)Variation: Waagaan Koumba Sandiane Faye (see Diouf, pp 716–7 (p 11) This family's anthem forms part of the overture of the Epic of Sanmoon Faye, which relates the history and deeds of Maad a Sinig Sanmoon Faye, the controversial king of Sine who succeeded Maad a Sinig Kumba Ndoffene Famak Joof in 1871. Their family totem is the African warthog (called "ruul a koб" in Serer, variation: "ruul-a-koƥ"Muséum national d'histoire naturelle (France) Laboratoire d'ethnobotanique et d'ethnozoologie, Centre national de la recherche scientifique (France), "Journal d'agriculture traditionnelle et de botanique appliquée: JATBA., Volumes 32–33", Laboratoire d'ethnobotanique et d'ethnozoologie, Muséum national d'histoire naturelle (1985), p 233) — (previously grouped with the boar).Crétois, Léonce, Becker, Charles "Le vocabulaire sereer de la faune", (Editor: Charles Becker), Centre de linguistique appliquée de Dakar (1983), p iv. In the early part of the Guelowar dynastic period (1350–1969), the Faye paternal dynasty was dominant in Sine, providing many of the Serer kings. However they were eventually overtaken by the Joof family who provided more kings of Sine, even from the 19th century to 1969. Notwithstanding the rivalries between these two patriclans, alliances were formed on certain occasions in order to repulse those they perceived as the greater enemy. One of these medieval alliances was between Maad a Sinig Diessanou Faye and Jaraff Boureh Gnilane Joof (founder of the Royal House of Boureh Gnilane Joof). That historical alliance was brought about when the Muslim marabout—Mohammadou of Koungo launched jihad in the Sine, threatening the survival of Serer religion in the country. Diessanou Faye, who was on the throne of Sine requested the assistance of the Joof family. Assistance was granted, with the Joof clan led by Boureh Gnilane Joof (son of the warlord king of Laah and conqueror of Baol - Maad Patar Kholleh Joof). The Joof—Faye alliance led to the defeat the Muslim army. For his part in achieving victory, Boureh Gnilane was made Jaraff (equivalent of prime minister) and given the sister of Diessanou Faye (Lingeer Gnilane Faye) in marriage.Diouf, pp 708-9 (pp 5-6)
Historical battles involving this family The table below lists some historical battles in Senegambia involving the kings or princes from this patriclan :
Name of the battle Member of the clan Opponent Reason for the battle Victor The Battle of Kalikounda* Maad a Sinig Waagaan Tening Jom Faye The Mandinka marabout of Kalikounda (believed to be in the present day village of Malikounda) Religious war Maad a Sinig Waagaan Tening Jom Faye was victorious. He is also reported to have had the marabouts' alwa (or alwah — religious tablets) destroyed.Diouf, pp 706-7 (pp 5-5)One of many Serer-Marabout Wars of the 14th and 15th centuries Maad a Sinig Diessanou Faye Jaraff Boureh Gnilane Joof (assisting the Maad a Sinig, the Joof-Faye alliance) The marabout – Mohammadou of Koungo (in the east of Saloum around Koungheul) A religious war due to a jihadic expedition launched in Sine by the Muslim forces. Maad a Sinig Diessanou Faye, Jaraff Boureh Gnilane Joof and the Joof-Faye ally forces.Diouf, pp 709-10 (pp 6-7)The Battle of Ngaskop Maad a Sinig Latsouk Faniame Faye The people of Dieghem The criminals of Dieghem and Diohine (robbers and murderers) This battle was between the people who adhere to the laws of the land against those who use murder and robbery to achieve their goal. It was a battle where the good citizens attempted to take back their country, led by their king and his army. Maad a Sinig Latsouk Faniame Faye and the good people of Dieghem.Diouf, pp 719-20 (pp 12-13) The Battle of Ndoffène Maad a Sinig Njaak Faye The Sandigue Ndiob Niokhobai Joof (The warlord) The Sandigue Ndiob Niokhobai Joof entered this battle to secure the succession of his young son Maad a Sinig Ama Joof Gnilane Faye Joof The Sandigue Ndiob Niokhobai JoofDiouf, pp 724-725 The Battle of Logandème Many members of this family. Allied with Maad a Sinig Kumba Ndoffene Famak JoofLouis Faidherbe (French governor of Senegal) Émile Pinet-Laprade Resistance against French colonialism FranceDiouf, p 726Diouf, Cheikh, "Fiscalité et Domination Coloniale: l'exemple du Sine: 1859-1940", Université Cheikh Anta Diop de Dakar (2005)Klein, pp 55-59 The Surprise of Mbin o Ngor (This was not an open battle but a surprise attack, also known as Mbeetan Keur Ngor). Many members of this family. Allied with Maad a Sinig Kumba Ndoffene Famak Joof Maba Diakhou Bâ, Damel-Teigne Lat Jor Ngoneh Latir Jobe and their Marabout armies Religion, vendetta and empire building Indecisive. The marabout army withdrew when reinforcement finally arrived, but caused severe damage before retreating.Diouf, pp 726-727Klein, p90 The Battle of Fandane-Thiouthioune (also known as The Battle of Somb) Many members of this family including Mbange Som Faye. Allied with Maad a Sinig Kumba Ndoffene Famak Joof (the Serer forces) Maba Diakhou Bâ, Damel-Teigne Lat Jor Ngoneh Latir Jobe and their Marabout armies Religion, vendetta and empire building Maad a Sinig Kumba Ndoffene Famak Joof (Serer ally forces)Diouf, pp 727-729Klein, pp 90-93
Genealogy This abbreviated genealogy shows the descendants of Boukar Djillakh Faye.Waagaan / Wagane Tening Jom Faye is also spelled Wagane Tening Diom Faye (following its French spelling in Senegal). The names of his children are also spelled: Mba Wagane, Ndougou Wagane, Yakis Wagane, Karabel Wagane, Biram Diakher Wagane, Ngom Wagane, Toma Wagane, Khandiang Wagane, Ndiène Wagane and Lassouk Wagane (see Diouf, p 707(p 5). See also:
Sarr (page 22) for the name variations : Yakisse Wagane, Dougou-Dougou Wagane, Khandiang Wagane, Diokel Wagane and Koly Mbégane Wagane. The names Diokel and Koly are not provided by Niokhobaye Diouf.
Tasse Faye or Tassé Faye (following its French spelling in Senegal) succeeded Maad a Sinig Maysa Wali Jaxateh Manneh (or Maïssa Wali Dione) who ruled from 1350 - 1370 (see Sarr, p 19). Descendants of Boukar Djillakh Faye
Boukar Djillakh Faye = Lingeer Tening Jom of Djillakh (Dieghem) │ queen mother ___________________________________________________│_________________________________________ │ │ │ │ Maad a Sinig Tasse Faye Maad a Sinig Waagaan Tening Jom Faye Mabane Faye Lingeer Gnilane Faye (Maad a Sinig, king of Sine) (king of Sine) (prince of Sine) (princess of Sine) reigned 1370 │ │__ ___________________________________________________│_____________________________________________________________________ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ Mba Waagaan Faye Ndougou Waagaan Faye Yakis Waagaan Faye Karabel Waagaan Faye Biram Jakar Waagaan Faye* Ngom Waagaan │ _______________________________________________│ Faye │ │ │ ____________________________│ _________________________________________________________________________│ │ │ │ _________________________________│_____________________________________________________________________ __________│ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ Khanjang Waagaan Faye Njein Waagaan Faye Lassouk Waagaan Faye Jokel Koly │ Toma Waagaan Faye Waagaan Faye Mbeggaan │_________________ Faye │ │ Maad a Sinig Waagaan Kumba Saanjaan Faye (king of Sine)
* It is his name people cite when they make a short praise to the Faye family, i.e. "Fay Biram" which may signify, "Faye! From the line Biram." For the Joof family, it is the name of Maad a Sinig Niokhobai Mane Nyan Joof they recite, i.e. "Juufa Niokhobai Samba Lingeer" (var. Dioufa Niokhobaye), which means "Joof! The great nobles." These short family poems or proverbs are called lastangol la (or ndakantal) in Serer.
Status in Serer religion
The Faye family's involvement in Serer religion is linked to the Pangool (the Serer saints and ancestral spirits). During the reign of Maad a Sinig Waasila Faye (in the fifteenth centuryGravrand, "Pangool", p 386), the Fangool Laga Ndong was canonized king of the Pangool (singular: Fangool). Gravrand, Henry, "La Civilisation Sereer – Pangool", vol.2, Les Nouvelles Editions Africaines du Senegal, (1990), p 363, Between c. 1750–1763, the then king of Sine — Maad a Sinig Boukar Tjilas Mahe Soum JoofVariation: Boukar Tjilas Mahé Soum Diouf is reported to have come into conflict with the Fangool Tamba Faye (the "great Fangool of Ndiob").Diouf, Niokhobaye, "Chronique du royaume du Sine", Suivie de notes sur les traditions orales et les sources écrites concernant le royaume du Sine par Charles Becker et Victor Martin. (1972). Bulletin de l'Ifan, Tome 34, Série B, n° 4, (1972). pp 723 (p 14)
In Senegambian culture The Senegalese artist Youssou N'Dour himself of Serer heritage dedicated his 1985 track Wagane Faye to this family. In that song, he recite the genealogy of this family with particularly emphasis on the branch of Waagaan Faye (i.e. Maad a Sinig Waagaan Tening Jom Faye).