Jom

[Olùkọ́ Ọbádélé]

Jom

jom	being determined to succeed, meet expectations
am jom	to have determination
nakk jom	to lack determination

Jom is being determined to succeed and meet the expectations of your parents, community, and country. Or the determination to follow the examples of those who came before us, to follow your role models. You should never shame the family, rather be a good member of society. It is a personal value that comes from within.
You are to learn from your mistakes as well as those of your peers and predecessors. You are not to give in to peer pressure or do things they know are wrong (and will shame the family).
Boys show their jom (courage, toughness) during circumcision. Girls show their jom (courage, toughness) when they are tattooed with thorns. You don't want to be the last in your group to do something, such as join the army, get married, etc.
For soldiers jom means showing courage and honor. In a car race it is jom that pushes you to do more, "Don't let that person behind you catch you!"
Young men are encouraged to look at their role models (father, uncles), and they are expected to do as well financially and socially. Traditionally young men work with their fathers for four to six years, and then be ready to take over and provide for their parents. Modern life is changing some of the traditional ways. Today, success in school can be a way of showing jom.
Young ladies are encouraged to marry and take care of their own homes, family, and in-laws. When things get difficult and a woman returns to her own home, her family will usually send her back to work it out.
The new challenge for Senegalese is when young people move to the cities for an education. They may graduate from the university but are unable to get a job. Lack of jom is becoming more acceptable because of poverty.
Begging is the ultimate lack of jom. However, Islam does allow for begging in some situations. Begging is not traditionally Wolof, but Islam teaches that it teaches humility, a desirable character trait, and also provides for everyone a way to give alms, one of the five tenets of Islam.