ABSTRACT
Laye and Soxna Aissa described making faith the center of both major life decisions and everyday activities. Farma Thiam and Khady Tall talked about this place of faith in their lives, but they also described the commitment required to devote one's life to faith. Farma spoke about her faith commitments in context of the relationships she has chosen: being part of a daara means joining a strong social network. Living in a daara also means placing one's self under the guidance of a marabout: disciples depend on and commit to a marabout's guidance. People such as Farma, Khady, Maam, and others practice, and talk about, their independence of thought and action relative to their familial and social relationships. They emphasize their free will in following their faith journey, even when it is difficult, they feel alone, or people criticize them. The teachings of creating one as a being of patience and tolerance are not unique to Baay Falls.
