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One of the numerous baby
Ronald's named after our
beloved King |
Peoples of Biffeche
The ethnic groups of Biffeche live together in
harmony, united by their love for the Kingdom, mutual respect, and
pious submission to, and appreciation of God's will. Although there
are some common cultural practices unique to Biffeche, each group
brings its own rich heritage and culture; many noble races and
ancient Kingdoms and empires enrich our Kingdom today.
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A small Biffeche family shows
the loyalty for which our citizens
have always been known. |
Ethnic groups include Peulh (Fula), Sérér-Ndut, Wolof, Naar (Moor) and American, but all are truly called "the
Biffeche".
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Madame Sow, one of the wives of Chevalier
Malick Sow
with some of his children
and grandchildren. |
The Peulh (also called Fula or Ful Fulde) are a
nomadic pastoral race, guiding their herds all across West Africa.
They are the only nomadic pastoral race in all of West Africa (hence
in Biffeche). Unlike the case in East Africa with pastoral nomads,
the Fula get along well with the non-pastoral groups in Biffeche
among whom they live. They are the largest ethnic group in Biffeche,
spread across the countryside in numerous villages. They are a proud
race, noble in appearance. "Our language is Pulaar, the most
harmonious sounding, and yet perhaps the most complicated of all
Biffeche languages." Tukulor people here also speak Pulaar. Most are
devote Muslims, a few are Christian and
several groups are traditionalist.
The Sérér-Ndut are a handsome race that once inhabited Biffeche and the rest of the Sénégal
Valley in ancient times, but were driven out centuries ago by
invaders from the north. Tillers of the soil, they settled as part
of the Sérér cultures in central Sénégal, especially in the area
known as Mont-Roland west of the city of Thies. In the mid-20th
Century, life became too hard, and a group were resettled to
Biffeche-Ville (now called M'Boubene) around 1960. They were put in
tragic starvation-conditions, and they did not receive promised
support. It is they who "founded" Biffeche-Ville as such,
and arranged for the anointing of King Edward I (the American King of Biffeche).
These elders are honored today as "the founders" and have
been awarded the Biffeche Order of St. Michael medal. The Sérér-Ndut
language is related to Sérér-Sine, and is spoken by 25,000 people,
not all of whom are in Biffeche. The Sérér tend to be
conservative, and more careful with their money than the Wolof. In
Biffeche most are Roman Catholic Christian and traditionalist.
The Wolof are the dominant group in Sénégal,
although they are just one of the main groups in Biffeche. Their
language is gradually becoming the language of the whole region. In
most of Biffeche, the Wolof language is a lingua franca
even more than French itself. The Wolof are known for their
industriousness, intelligence and showy extravagance, and
traditionally they have been socially oriented in a stratified caste
system which still exists unofficially. Most are Muslim or
traditionalist, and some are members of the great Muslim brotherhoods of Tidjan, Mouride, etc. that have glorious histories
in West Africa.
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The people of M'Boubene
Naar visiting with King Ronald I. |
The Naar (or Moors) have cultural affinities to
the Arabic-speaking groups to the north and east in places like
Mauritanie and Mali. They have
their own Afrique-du-nord-oriented Islamic culture. In Biffeche,
they live mainly in their own sub-villages. All are Muslim.
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In Savoigne just before the people
asked his Majesty to dance. |
The Americans appeared in Biffeche life only
after the American Edward Charles Schafer became King Edward I in
1963. He established an aristocracy with local members in Biffeche
as well as members in the USA, Great Britain, and Europe (mostly
well-to-do patrons who helped the people). Our Majesty, King
Ronald I, is of Scots, German,
Swedish and American ancestry.
Continued on Page 2 |