Lamane or laman (
Serer: Laamaan or Lamaan, (Serer
vocable: laam or lam (to inherit [1])) mean "master of the land" in Serer.[2][3] 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.[4] This title was also used by some kings of the
Wolof kingdoms.[5][6][7] The title is sometimes used interchangeably with the old title
Maad.[8][9] 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.[10]
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.[11] 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.[12][13]
The lamanes were the guardians of
Serer religion. They created
sanctuaries and
shrines in honour of the Pangool (
Serer ancestral spirits and
Saints).[14]
They are the predecessors of the Serer priestly class (the
Saltigue).
^Thiaw, Issa Laye, "La femme Seereer (Senegal)", L'Harmattan (2005), p. 54, ISBN 9782747589079
^Boulègue, Jean. Le Grand Jolof, (XVIIIe – XVIe Siècle). (Paris, Edition Façades), Karthala (1987), p 30
^Dyao, Yoro Légendes et coutumes sénégalaises. Cahiers de Yoro Dyao: publiés et commentés par Henri Gaden. p 12. (E. Leroux, 1912)
^Dyao, Yoro Légendes et coutumes sénégalaises. Cahiers de Yoro Dyao: publiés et commentés par Henri Gaden. p 12. (E. Leroux, 1912)
^Ajayi, J. F. Ade, Crowder, Michael, History of West Africa, p462. Longman, 1976
^Boulègue, Jean. Le Grand Jolof, (XVIIIe – XVIe Siècle). (Paris, Edition Façades), Karthala (1987), p 30
^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).
ISBN978-0-520-23591-5. pp 109-111
^Ajayi, J. F. Ade & Crowder, Michael, History of West Africa, Volume 1, p 468. Longman, 1985.
ISBN0-582-64683-9
^Sarr, Alioune, Histoire du Sine-Saloum. BIFAN, Tome 46, Serie B, n° 3-4. 1986-1987, p21
^Saint-Martin, Yves-Jean, Le Sénégal sous le Second Empire, Karthala (2000), pp. 35 & 610.
ISBN2-86537-201-4
^Kesteloot, Lilyan, Dieux d'eau du Sahel : voyage à travers les mythes, de Seth à Tyamaba, L'Harmattan, Paris, ; IFAN, Dakar, 2007, p. 123 (
ISBN978-2-296-04384-8)
^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
^Nnoli, Okwudiba, Ethnic conflicts in Africa, p241. CODESRIA, 1998.
ISBN2-86978-070-2
^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