Prayers and harmonious chants filled the air in the Yoff neighborhood of Dakar as thousands of followers from the Layene Sufi brotherhood gathered to honor the first public appearance of their founder, Seydina Limamou Laye, which took place in 1884.
Dressed in immaculate white garments symbolizing purity and the fundamental equality of all before God, devotees flooded the streets leading to the mosque located by the beach in Yoff on Friday. This event, referred to as “L’Appel” or “The Call,” celebrated the significant 145th anniversary of Seydina Limamou Laye’s controversial proclamation as a prophet.
Although the Layene brotherhood is smaller compared to other prominent Sufi orders in Senegal, such as the Mouride and Tijaniyya, it has attracted intrigue due to its unique beliefs, particularly the assertion that their founder is a reincarnation of Prophet Muhammad.
“I have never encountered a Sufi group with such a central belief in reincarnation as the Layene,” noted Cheikh Babou, a history professor at the University of Pennsylvania who focuses on Sufism in West Africa. “It’s distinctly different from any other practice found in Senegal or in the broader Muslim world.”
During the festivities, devotees took a pilgrimage to the revered grotto where Seydina Limamou Laye initially sought solitude for meditation and reportedly received divine insight. This site stands as a significant emblem of his spiritual enlightenment and continues to bond the Layene community with their founder.
His teachings asserted that Prophet Muhammad had returned in the form of a Black man to bring about justice and address social injustices, particularly those stemming from slavery. This message advocating for racial equality and spiritual togetherness remains powerful among believers today.
“It is a source of pride for both Black and white individuals because Seydina Limamou Laye does not belong to only Black people; he is a prophet for everyone,” stated Moussa Lahi, a Layene participant at this year’s gathering. “Thus, people of all colors—Black, white, yellow—were present. He championed equality among all races.”
