Gëwéls, Elder and Younger
July 15, 2007
The Faye family descends from Biram Gueye Faye, who in the mid-nineteenth century became the first Baj Gëwél of Dakar. The Baj Gëwél is the gëwél or griot for the Lebou community, the first inhabitants of the Cap Vert peninsula. In this role they are the major gëwéls for Dakar and all of Sénégal. Vieux Sing Faye, the present Baj Gëwél of Dakar, is the great-grandson of Biram Gueye Faye; the members of Sing Sing Juniors are the grandchildren of Vieux Sing Faye.
The younger members of the Faye family show that the gëwél traditions continue to grow and evolve, serving the community in story and song.
The Géwël Tradition 