{{Short description|Word meaning "master of the land" in the Serer language}} {{Serer religion}} '''Lamane''' or '''laman''' (also '''laam''' or '''lam''') means "master of the land" in the Serer language.<ref>Boulègue, Jean. ''Le Grand Jolof, (XVIIIe – XVIe Siècle).'' (Paris, Edition Façades), Karthala (1987), p 30</ref><ref>Dyao, Yoro ''Légendes et coutumes sénégalaises.'' Cahiers de Yoro Dyao: publiés et commentés par Henri Gaden. p 12. (E. Leroux, 1912)</ref> The name was also sometimes the title of chiefs or kings of the Serer people of the Senegambia region which includes modern day Senegal and the Gambia.<ref>Dyao, Yoro ''Légendes et coutumes sénégalaises.'' Cahiers de Yoro Dyao: publiés et commentés par Henri Gaden. p 12. (E. Leroux, 1912)</ref> This title was also used by some kings of the Wolof kingdoms.<ref>Ajayi, J. F. Ade, Crowder, Michael, ''History of West Africa,'' p462. Longman, 1976</ref><ref>Boulègue, Jean. ''Le Grand Jolof, (XVIIIe – XVIe Siècle).'' (Paris, Edition Façades), Karthala (1987), p 30</ref><ref>Galvan, Dennis Charles. "The State Must Be Our Master of Fire: How Peasants Craft Culturally Sustainable Development in Senegal." Berkeley, University of California Press, (2004). {{ISBN|978-0-520-23591-5}}. pp 109-111</ref> The title is sometimes used interchangeably with the old Serer title Maad.<ref>Oliver, Roland, Fage, John Donnelly, Sanderson, G. N, ''The Cambridge History of Africa,'' p214. Cambridge University Press, 1985. {{ISBN|0-521-22803-4}}</ref><ref>Ajayi, J. F. Ade & Crowder, Michael, ''History of West Africa,'' Volume 1, p 468. Longman, 1985. {{ISBN|0-582-64683-9}}</ref> After the Guelowars' migration to the Sine and the foundation of the Kingdom of Sine, "lamane" denotes a provincial chief answerable to the King of Sine and Saloum.<ref>Sarr, Alioune, ''Histoire du Sine-Saloum.'' BIFAN, Tome 46, Serie B, n° 3-4. 1986-1987, p21</ref>
Although the later lamanes were always descendants of the Serer village and town founders (the original lamanes), and their families ruled the Kingdoms of Sine, Saloum and Baol etc., the power they previously enjoyed as lamanes diminished, but they continued to make up the land-owning class.<ref>Saint-Martin, Yves-Jean, ''Le Sénégal sous le Second Empire,'' Karthala (2000), pp. 35 & 610. {{ISBN|2-86537-201-4}}</ref> Though their power was somewhat diminished, their economic and political power was intricately linked to Serer custom, Serer history, and Serer religion. As such, they were extremely powerful if not as true kings as guardians of Serer traditions and beliefs and could dethrone a reigning monarch if threatened.<ref>Kesteloot, Lilyan, ''Dieux d'eau du Sahel : voyage à travers les mythes, de Seth à Tyamaba,'' L'Harmattan, Paris, ; IFAN, Dakar, 2007, p. 123 ({{ISBN|978-2-296-04384-8}})</ref><ref>Ngom, Biram Éthiopiques (revue), numéro 54, nouvelle série, vol. 7, semestre 1991</ref>
The lamanes were the guardians of Serer religion. They created sanctuaries and shrines in honour of the Pangool (Serer ancestral spirits and Saints).<ref>Galvan, Dennis Charles. The State Must Be Our Master of Fire: How Peasants Craft Culturally Sustainable Development in Senegal. Berkeley, University of California Press, 2004. pp 53, 185</ref> They are the predecessors of the Serer priestly class, the Saltigue (the "hereditary rain priests"<ref name="Gavan"/>).<ref name="Gavan">Galvan, Dennis Charles, "The State Must Be Our Master of Fire: How Peasants Craft Culturally Sustainable Development in Senegal." Berkeley, University of California Press ( 2004).p. 202</ref><ref>{{cite journal |last1=Sarr |first1=Alioune |author1-link=Alioune Sarr |title= Histoire du Sine-Saloum. (Introduction, bibliographie et notes par Charles Becker)|journal=Bulletin de l'IFAN |date=1986 |volume=46 B. |issue=3–4 |language=French | page= 31}}</ref>
==Some prominent Serer lamanes== *Lamane Jegan Joof *Lamane Jaw (or Lamane Diao) – King of Jolof 1285<ref>Nnoli, Okwudiba, ''Ethnic conflicts in Africa,'' p241. CODESRIA, 1998. {{ISBN|2-86978-070-2}}</ref> *Lamane Pangha Yaya Sarr – c. 14th century lamane of Sine and an opponent to the Guelowar refugees.<ref>Ngom, Biram, Éthiopiques (revue), numéro 54, nouvelle série, vol. 7, semestre 1991</ref><ref>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 706-708</ref> *Sayerr Jobe, founder of Serekunda *Latir Kumba Lô (nicknamed Lat Kumba Lo) of Latrikunda
==See also== *States headed by Serer Lamanes *Serer history *Serer ancient history *Timeline of Serer history
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== *[http://www.seereer.com/laman The Seereer Resource Centre]{{Dead link|date=July 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}
{{Serer topics|state=collapsed}} {{Imperial, royal, and noble styles}} Category:Lamane Category:Serer history Category:Serer royalty Category:Ancient African people Category:Serer religion