The manuscript is a handwritten copy of the original written by Serigne Mbaye Diakhate. Based on the interview with the owner, the original was written between 1902 and 1954. Red, green, purple, and black ink are used in the manuscripts. The red ink is used to highlight key words. Purple and green are also used in some sections in Arabic. There are a few parts in Arabic, especially in prayers, and in opening and closing formulae. This manuscript contains numerous Wolof Ajami poems (Wolofal) dealing with both religious and secular issues, including devotional, polemical, satirical, and praise poetry. The poems in the manuscript provide spiritual and secular advice to people like Amadou Kumba, educates them about Murid ethos, the role and the features of good spiritual guides and their followers, the nature of the relationship between a spiritual guide and his disciple, prayers against thirst and draught, and the importance of friendship, repentance, and discussions on the code of conduct of true followers of Muridiyya. The manuscript provides insights into the belief system, the education system, the worldview, values, and the challenges and hopes of followers of Muridiyya.
Physical characteristics of original material: Due to the age of the documents and ink stains, some pages are hard to read.
1 bound paper manuscript of 236 pages. Date of orginal: 1978.
Author: Serigne Mbaye Diakhate. Scribe: Gora Diakhate (copyist). Language: Wolof (with some Arabic in religious quotations, prayers, and in the openings and endings of poems). Script of material: Wolof Ajami (Wolofal).
