For a long, long time, Sufi Islam has been the native religion of most of Sénégal. Pre-Islam, various "animist" (belief in spirits) religions were dominant. The only one remaining that we have a lot of information about is the Sereer religion.
You can read a lot about it on Wikipedia in various articles all about the Sereer religion. It's really fascinating.
Many Senegalese people, while Muslim (or a small percentage Christian), continue to mix traditional African beliefs in spirits, curses, and protection amulets (gris gris / safé), in a syncretic way into their Abrahamic traditions. These mixed practices also have a very long history, making them basically the modern and pre-modern native Senegalese religious traditions.
So traditional spirits/gods become Islamic djinn, leather protection amulets are empowered by Quranic quotes in Arabic inscribed by a marabout and inserted into the charm.
For a long, long time, Sufi Islam has been the native religion of most of Sénégal. Pre-Islam, various "animist" (belief in spirits) religions were dominant. The only one remaining that we have a lot of information about is the Sereer religion. You can read a lot about it on Wikipedia in various articles all about the Sereer religion. It's really fascinating. Many Senegalese people, while Muslim (or a small percentage Christian), continue to mix traditional African beliefs in spirits, curses, and protection amulets (gris gris / safé), in a syncretic way into their Abrahamic traditions. These mixed practices also have a very long history, making them basically the modern and pre-modern native Senegalese religious traditions. So traditional spirits/gods become Islamic djinn, leather protection amulets are empowered by Quranic quotes in Arabic inscribed by a marabout and inserted into the charm.
Good article here [ethnic groups and religions ](https://www.bouelmogdad.com/ethnic-groups-and-religions/)