EAP334/4/2

The manuscript is the original handwritten by Serigne Mbaye Diakhate. Based on the interview with the owner, it was written between 1902 and 1954. Red, purple, and black ink are used in the manuscripts. The red ink is used to highlight key words. There are a few parts in Arabic, especially in prayers, religious quotations, and in the openings and endings of poems. This manuscript contains numerous Wolof Ajami poems (Wolofal) written by Serigne Mbaye Diakhate dealing with religious and secular issues. The religious themes include tributes to Cheikh Ahmadou Bamba, prayers, the importance of charity, metaphysical discussions on paradise, luck, and the powerlessness of human beings before death, the importance of true repentence, the importance of righteous deeds, and what it means to be a good Murid disciple, among others. The secular issues discussed include, among others, the importance of work, prayers for a good rainy season with abondant harvest, with the absence of hunger, thirst, and poverty, and long life, development, good health for farmers, as well as the importance of intelligence, good motivation, optimism, good intent, and friendship in life. The collection also includes criticisms of social problems in the Bawol, Kajoor, Njambuur, Jolof, and Saalum areas. He warned against the evils of lying and underscored the importance of being useful to society. The manuscript provides insights into the beliefs and values of Murid communities and the spiritual and secular challenges they faced in the early days of the Muridiyya Sufi order.

Physical characteristics of original material: Due to the age of the documents, some pages are hard to read, and the ink has faded away in some. Some lines are erased.

1 unbound paper manuscript of 201 pages. Date of orginal: c 1902-1954

Author: Serigne Mbaye Diakhate. Scribe: Serigne Mbaye Diakhate. Language: Wolof (with some Arabic in religious quotations, prayers, and in the openings and endings of poems). Script of material: Wolof Ajami (Wolofal)