"Guests of God": The Layene, an Urban Sufi Community of Dakar, Senegal

This article discusses a Sufi Muslim community, the Layene, in Dakar, Senegal, and specific aspects of its historical and ethical foundations. The community is one of several Sufi Muslim orders in Senegal with a history of syncretism of Islamic and local customs and a messianic message of universal salvation. These particularities can be understood through scriptural and theological interpretations of the Wolof concept of terànga—individuals' generous intentions, embodied in the giving and receiving of hospitality, gifts, and social interactions. Through an ethnographic look at sermons and songs and the performances of family ceremonies, this article examines the Layene community and its beliefs in relation to societal changes in Senegal and globally.