Culture of Senegal - history, people, clothing, traditions, women, beliefs, food, customs, family Sa-Th. Before independence, Dakar was the capital of French West Africa (AOF, or l'Afrique Occidentale Francçaise ), which included nine French-speaking West African states. Although predominantly Muslim, Senegal.Three-quarters of the population speak the Wolof language, thereby making it the lingua franca of the country. There are actually five other major languages: Serer, Alpuular, Mandingo, Diola, and Bassari. Senegalese languages have a wonderful day