Variations in First Union Dissolution Patterns among Sub-Sahara African Cultures: The Case of Lebou, Peuhl, Sereer, Toucouleur, and Wolof in Senegal

Justin Dansou, Université de Parakou

Major changes have been observed in recent decades both in the mode of union formation and in the stability of conjugal unions in Sub-Saharan Africa. Although these changes are known to vary in intensity across countries, variations across ethnical groups within countries are still not well studied. The present study investigates ethnic variations in the dissolution of first union in Senegal, focusing on five ethnic groups. Event history analysis techniques were applied to biographical survey on “vulnerabilities and chronic poverty”. Results showed that ethnic differences in the hazard of union dissolution become apparent only after controlling for the effects of cumulated fertility, education and birth cohort. This study suggests the need for large-scale and more detailed data covering all Senegalese ethnic groups for a better understanding of the complexity and the persistence of domestic and matrimonial customs and traditions in matrimonial relationships.