What is "lingeer"

Lingeer (also: Linger or Linguère) was the title given to the mother or sister of a king in the Serer kingdoms of Sine, Saloum and previously the Kingdom of Baol; and the Wolof kingdoms of Cayor, Jolof, Baol and Waalo in pre-colonial Senegal. The word "Lingeer" means "queen" or "princess" in Serer and Wolof language. Although the royal title Lingeer is generally given to the mother or sister of the king, and sometimes the first wife of the king (the "Lingeer-Awo"), the title can also mean a royal princess. In this case, it means a woman who can trace royal descent from both her paternal and maternal line. In Wolof and Serer tradition, a woman who can trace royal descent on both her paternal and maternal line automatically becomes a Lingeer. The male equivalent is Garmi (a man who can trace royal descent on both his paternal and maternal line). It is from these Lingeers (a woman of pure royal blood) that a king would seek to marry. The king himself is a member of the Garmi class.