The Wolof people are a West African ethnic group found in northwestern Senegal, the Gambia, and southwestern coastal Mauritania. In Senegal, the Wolof are the largest ethnic group, while elsewhere they are a minority. They refer to themselves as Wolof and speak the Wolof language, in the West Atlantic branch of the Niger–Congo family of languages.

Many Wolof art forms incorporate beautiful inscriptions and representations of respected Islamic teachers. Recycled art is also produced in Dakar.  Much Wolof history has been preserved in oral praise songs which are recited by griots (“professional praise singers”).  Most Wolof are Muslim, and it was most often the case that Wolof leaders converted to Islam first, before the religion spread to the less powerful members of society. Mauritanian teachers brought Islam to Wolof rulers as long ago as the 15th century.

Source:  Wolof – Art & Life in Africa – The University of Iowa Stanley Museum of Art (uiowa.edu)