Layene

The Layene are a politically autonomous religious community of the Lebou people, who live in fishing communities on the Cap-Vert peninsula, north of Dakar, Senegal. The Layene are ruled in religious and temporal matters by their Khalifa-General. Their headquarters is an elaborate mosque on the beach at Yoff. In 1812 the political independence of the Lebou from the Kingdom of Cayor was recognized. Today the Layene are granted special autonomy in the constitution, laws and practices of Senegal.

The present Khalifa-General of the Layene (in 2002) is Seydi Hadj Abdoulaye Thiaw Laye.

The Layene are known for their mystic dances and ceremeonies used to cure the insane.