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tamsier
United Kingdom
556 Posts |
 Posted - 18 Oct 2008 : 01:24:21
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TO CELEBRATE BLACK HISTORY MONTH, I'VE SET A LIST OF QUESTIONS TO TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE OF AFRICAN HISTORY. FOR EACH CORRECT ANSWER YOU PROVIDE, PLEASE SET TWO QUESTIONS OF YOUR OWN. YOU DONT HAVE TO ANSWER ALL [BUT IF YOU DO, GRATE!]. Anyone can mark your answers as correct or wrong and I'll provide a detailed answer to each question with relevant sources by the end of this month. Everyone is welcome to participate. GOOD LUCK!
QUESTIONS:
Mali
1. According to the Jali's of Mali, who was the griot [jali] of Maghan Kon Fatta [father of Sudiata Keita]?
2. Name the two brothers from the Trawally clan who introduced Kon Fatta to his 2nd wife [Songolon Kedjou]?
3.Which member of the Trawally clan first conquered the old kingdom of Bainouk [c 1247] and named it Kabou [Gabou] [modern day Guinea Bissau?
4.Who was the last king of Bainouk before the kingdom was named Kabou?
5. Name the Ceesay king of Ghana who received Songolon Kedjou and her children after their exile from Niani.
6. Name 5 totems [Tana] and their corresponding clans/families.
7.After his victory of Ghana and Jagan [part of the Faleme river, a tributory of the Senegal], Sumanguru Konteh was sometimes referred to as 'the untouchable King'. Why was he referred to as such?
8.In your own words, explain how the Battle of Tabon [now part of Futa Jallon] began and how did Sundiata Keita achieved his victory?
9. We all know [I hope] about the Battle of Kirina, but name the first battle that Sumanguru Konteh actually came face to face with Sundiata after his family [Sundiata's family] were exiled from Niani?
10. Who said this about the Nothern Mossi people:
'WE HAVE A RELENTLESS ENEMY WHO, AMONG THE BLACKS, IS FOR US WHAT THE TARTERS ARE FOR YOU...THEY ARE SKILLED IN SHOOTING ARROWS AND HAVE GELDED HORSES, WITH SPLIT NOSES'.
Senegambia and Futa Toro
11. Why and in what year did the Battle of Ndeer known in Wolof history as Talata Ndeer [meaning Tuesday of Ndeer - signifying the actual day of the Battle] took place?
12. In 1489, the Wolof Prince Buumi Jeelane left the Kingdom of Jolof to Lisbon [Portugal]. What was his reason for going to Portugal and under what circumstance did he meet his death?
13. Who was Sa Lolley Jabou Samba?
14. Who made this statement against the followers of Sheickh Amadou Bamba Mbackeh [Tinda Bah]:
'HIS FOLLOWERS MAINLY CONSISTS OF RURAL ELEMENTS, CHEDDOS OR PEASANTS, LORDS OR SERFS-THE HEIRS OF THE OLD PRE 1886 ORDER. THESE ARE THE MEN WHOSE FATHERS EMBRACED ISLAM BETWEEN 1860 AND 1885, SEEKING IN RELIGION A BASE FOR RESISTANCE... FOR THEM, THE MARABOUTS HAVE REPLACED THE BRAKS, BURBAS, DAMELS, AND THEIR FEUDAL LORDS, AND IT IS UNDER THE BANNER OF THE QADIRIYYA THAT THEY FIND THEMSELVES TODAY. IT IS AROUND AMADOU BAMBA, FOUNDER OF THE MOURIDE BRANCH OF THE QADIRIYYA AND FORMER CHAPLAIN OF THE LAST DAMELS, SAMBA LAOBEH AND LAT JOR, THAT THIS GROUP IS LARGELY GATHERED'.
15. In 1856, Father Lamoise and Kobes [both French] were accompanied by french officers on their visit to a Senegambian king. The purpose of their visit was to present to the King the constant harrasement the french received from the nobles of the King's kingdom, and most importantly, to ask the King's permission to build a brick chapel. The king refused to give them permission. Father Lamoise threatened to build one any way without permission. The king's response was:
'YOU WOULD BE KILLED IF YOU DO SO'. What is the name of the King and which Senegambian Kingdom did he ruled?
16.Who said this in 1848:
'THE NOBLE QUALITIES ARE FOUND IN THE SERERE COUNTRIES, THOUGH THEY ONLY LACK ISLAM’.
17. How and why did the Battle of Somb came about in 1867?
18. Name the Farba Burai [head of the army] of King Sanou Moon Faye who sent the following letter to the French Governor in 1876 detailing the depraved and sadistic actions of King Sanou Moon:
'THE LEADING MEN AND NOTABLE OF SINE, SEEING THE MANY INFAMOUS AND WICKED ACTIONS OF BUUR SANOUMON FAYE, [SAY], LET THE CURSE OF ROOG [SUPREME GOD OF THE SERERES] FALL ON HIM! SEEING THE DEPLORABLE SITUATION IN WHICH THE TERRITORY OF SINE FINDS ITSELF, A SITUATION CAUSED BY HIM, AND NOT KNOWING WHAT REMEDY SHOULD BE EMPLOYED TO SAVE US FROM THE UNHAPPINESS THAT MENACES THE COUNTRY, THE NOTABLES COMPLAINED SORROWFULLY TO ME, ASKING ME WHAT MEANS MIGHT BE EMPLOYED TO CURE THE UNHAPPINESS THAT THREATENS THE COUNTRY [SINE] AND TO REMOVE COMPLETELY THIS EVIL KING. THEN I SAID TO THEM, THE BEST WAY IS FOR US TO JOIN TOGETHERT TO LOOK FOR SEMOU MAK IN BAWOL, AND PLACE HIM ON THE THRONE'.
19.In which battle did the King of Saloum - Sassy Kumba Daga Mbooj commonly known as Gedal Mbooj [assisted by the Joof royal family of Sine] defeated Sait Matti Bah?
20. Anyone who tackles this question will have my vote for president.
In Amadou Wade's academic paper - 'Chronique du Wallo', he concluded that: 'Njaniane Njie [Momodou Fatoumata Njie - the first king to consuludate the Wolof Kingdoms of Jolof, Bawol, Kajoor and Wallo into a single and powerful Wolof Confederacy] was the son of Abu Bakr the Almoravid who died in November 1087 AD and that Njaniane Njie reigned from 1087'. Agree or disagree with this passage with reference to relevant evidence.
21. Who was the first king of Tekrur [now Futa Toro] to introduced Sharia Law after his conversion to islam?
22. What is the meaning of the word 'Laman'?
RELIGION
23. In Yoruba [of Nigeria] religion, which Orisa [Deity] is their Creator God?
24. What is the name of the ancient Serpent Deity of the River Niger that many ancient West Africans [as we call ourselves today] used to worshipped before Islam or Christianity?
25. In Yoruba religion, who is the Goddess of Grace and female companion of Shango [the God of lightening]?
26. The word 'Gamo' as used by many Senegambian Muslims to mark the birth of the Prophet Mohammad [SAW] -,is a borrowed word from an ancient Serere pagan festival. What word is it borrowed from and what did that ancient festival used to celebrate and still do among the Sereres?
27. In the ancient Ghanian Empire, the Ghana [Emperor/King] was also worshipped by the people along with other Gods and Goddesses. In your own words, explain why was that so.
28. What is the name of the ancient Wolof supreme God before their mass conversion to islam in the 19th century?
PRE-HISTORY
29. Who were the Tiemassassiens?
30. What is the name of the Tiemassassiens' ancient culture commonly known as?
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Tamsier
Serere heritage. Serere religion. Serere to the end.
Roog a fa ha. |
Edited by - tamsier on 18 Oct 2008 15:03:47 |
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mansasulu
997 Posts |
Posted - 20 Oct 2008 : 16:11:23
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Tamsier, I will give a stab to Q.1
Gankoman Doa, he was the father to Sundiata's griot. |
"...Verily, in the remembrance of Allâh do hearts find rest..." Sura Al-Rad (Chapter 13, Verse 28)
...Gambian by birth, Muslim by the grace of Allah... |
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Momodou
Denmark
11641 Posts |
Posted - 20 Oct 2008 : 17:59:12
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Tamsier, these are interesting questions. Reading the answers to all the questions will definitely broaden ones knowledge about our history. I look forward to read the answers. |
A clear conscience fears no accusation - proverb from Sierra Leone |
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tamsier
United Kingdom
556 Posts |
Posted - 21 Oct 2008 : 00:39:02
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| That's right Mansa. |
Tamsier
Serere heritage. Serere religion. Serere to the end.
Roog a fa ha. |
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mansasulu
997 Posts |
Posted - 21 Oct 2008 : 14:51:50
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| Q.2 Oulamba and Oulani Trawally...This is exciting Tamsier, I am really enjoying this exercise. Thanks for sharing these intriguing pieces of history with us. |
"...Verily, in the remembrance of Allâh do hearts find rest..." Sura Al-Rad (Chapter 13, Verse 28)
...Gambian by birth, Muslim by the grace of Allah... |
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tamsier
United Kingdom
556 Posts |
Posted - 21 Oct 2008 : 23:23:40
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| grate mansa! now i expect at least 4 questions from you. |
Tamsier
Serere heritage. Serere religion. Serere to the end.
Roog a fa ha. |
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mansasulu
997 Posts |
Posted - 22 Oct 2008 : 14:14:06
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| Okay. |
"...Verily, in the remembrance of Allâh do hearts find rest..." Sura Al-Rad (Chapter 13, Verse 28)
...Gambian by birth, Muslim by the grace of Allah... |
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tamsier
United Kingdom
556 Posts |
Posted - 07 Nov 2008 : 01:19:28
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My sincere apologies for not providing the answers to the above questions earlier. Been busy.
ANSWERS:
1 AND 2: MANSASULU GOT QUESTIONS 1 AND 2 RIGHT.
3. Mansa Tiramanghan Trawally
4. KING KIKILOR IN 1247 AD - [THE LAST KING OF BAINOUK AT MAMPATING]
5. Ghana Soumaba Ceesay
6. This could have been any clan/totem and not necessarily of Mali. Examples are:
Njie = lion [njogoy]--- symbolizing strength and power
Sarr = camel [Ngelem] -- mystic power
Sene = rabit [ndo] --- rebirth/fertile
Joof = Antelope [njaf]--- symbolizing royalty, defender of the
weak, energy and power
Ndour = monkey [a koy]----- soul
7. After his victories, Sosso was highly defended by a triple curtain wall and in the centre of the city lay his 7 floor palace with him on the 7th floor.
8. After the subjugation and humiliation of Mali by Sumanguru Konteh, Sundiata Keita left the kingdom of Mema were his family were granted refugee status by the king of Mema - Musa Tunkara. On his departure, the King of Mema gave him some of his warrior army to assist him against Sumanguru. They headed to the ancient kingdom of Wagadou were king Soumaba Ceesay [cousin of Musa Tunkara] also offered some of his army to Sundiata's course thanks to Musa's plea. It was from then on that they matched to the kingdom of Tabon with it's iron gated town - now ruled by Fran Camara who has now revolted against the king of Sosso by arming the Jallonkehs and the smiths of Tabon and decided to go to war in order to liberate his kingdom from the tentacles of Sumanguru. On finding out Sundiata's elite army were heading to Tabon, thanks to his defeated kingdoms and loyal friends, Sumanguru sent a detachment under the command of his son - Balla to block Sundiata's route. The sosso prince [Balla] who has deployed his large troops at the entrance of the mountains to block Sundiata's advance to Tabon and thereby isolate Fran Camara from any external allies were surprisingly attacked and forced to make a humiliating retreat. Those captured as prisoners of war suffered the most humiliating kind of slavery. Although Sumanguru was not himself present at the Battle of Tabon, the fact that his powerful army were defeated and forced to retreat was not just a physical victory for Sundiata and his allies, but a psychological one too. It would pave the way for the 'bigger one' to come: The Battle of Kirina.
9. The Battle of Negueboria, after finding out from his own son [Balla] that his army had to make a humiliating retreat at the Battle of Tabon. According to Mandinka legend, 'it was at Negueboria that Sumanguru caught the arrow of Sundiata in flight then showed it to Sundiata as if to say look! I am invulnerable'.
10. Mansa Musa on his pilgrimage to Mecca in 1324. He was conversing with the Arab notables. It was some of those Arab notables who would later relay that conversation to the Arab chronicler and geographer Al - Umari.
11. IN 1734 DURING THE REIGN OF BRAK YERIM NDATEH BOUBU - KING OF WALLO AND OF TEDYEK MATRILINEAL BLOOD.IT WAS DURING HIS REIGN THAT THE BATTLE AGAINST THE THREE 'MEEN' [A WOLOF WORD FOR MATRILINEAL BLOODLINE] OF WALLO GOT OUT OF HAND. IN PARTICULAR, THE NOBLE HOUSE OF 'TEDYEK' AGAINST THE NOBLE HOUSE OF 'JOOS'. THE JOOS ARE DECENDED FROM SERERES THROUGH THE MATERNAL LINE. THE MATRIACH OF THAT BLOODLINE IS LINGEER NDOYE DEMBA. AT THE BATTLE OF NDEER [1734], KNOWN IN WOLOF AS 'TAALATA NDEER' [TUESDAY OF NDEER] - SIGNIFYING THE DAY OF THE BATTLE, THE JOOS ATTACKED THE BRAK [YERIM NDATEH BOUBOU] AT NDEER. LINGEER [ROYAL PRINCESS/QUEEN MOTHER]CONDAMA - WHO WAS THE HALF SISTER OF YERIM NDATEH BOUBOU'S MOTHER WAS OUTRAGED BY THE ACTIONS OF THE JOOS AGAINST HER NEPHEW. CONDAMA WAS NOT MERELY AUNTY TO THE KING BUT ONE OF HIS MAIN AND TRUSTED ADVISORS. HER ANGER WAS MADE WORST WHEN SHE FOUND OUT THAT HER OWN FATHER [BRAK MO MBODY KUMBA KHEDY] WHO WAS OF JOOS MATERNAL BLOOD, COMMANDED THE JOOS AT NDEER. SHE WAS EVEN MORE OUTRAGED WHEN SHE ALSO FOUND OUT THAT, HER OWN PATERNAL AUNTS [BAJENS] - WHO ARE ALSO JOOS, WERE NOT MERELY IN FAVOUR OF THE BATTLE, BUT THEY ENCOURAGED SUCH A SACRILEDGE. THE JOOS WERE VICTORIOUS AND BRAK YERIM NDATEH WAS KILLED.
AFTER THE BATTLE OF NDEER, MBODY KUMBA KHEDY WAS CROWNED BRAK - WITH THE FULL BACKING OF THE JOOS MATRILINEAL BLOODLINE. BIRAHIMA KERI [OF TRAZAR] COMMANDED SOLOMON [A TRAZARIAN ASSASSIN] TO COME DOWN TO WALLO AND ASSASSINATE MO MBODY. MBODY KUMBA KHEDY WAS ASSASSINATED IN 1735 ON THE DAY OF HIS CORONATION. AFTER HIS DEATH, JOGOMAY MAJOKOR JAW [MEMBER OF THE SEB AK BAOR] PROCLAIMED YERIM MBANIK ANTA JOBE MBOOJ[OF TEDYEK MATERNAL DECENT] AS BRAK OF WALLO.
IN CONTINUING THEIR CARNAGE, THE JOOS FINISHED THEIR MISSION BY KILLING IBA KAB, SABAAR YELI AND BUBACARR [SONS OF FA NJOOGU AND PATERNAL HALF BROTHERS OF YERIM MBANIK ANTA JOBE]. THE JOGOMAY MAJOKOR JAW WAS SO SHOCKED HE WAS REPORTED TO HAVE SAID 'MAN-NAK DANAA-DEH TAYE' - A WOLOF PROVERB MEANING' TODAY, I WILL DIE'. AFTER THE MASSACRE, THE VICTORIOUS JOOS PROCLAIMED YERIM KODE FARA MBOON [OF JOOS MATERNAL BLOOD] AS BRAK - WHO INSTILLED ORDER IN HIS KINGDOM AT LEAST FOR THE TIME BEING.
12. TO GET THE SUPPORT OF KING JOA OF PORTUGAL IN ORDER TO SIT ON THE THRONE OF JOLOF. ON HIS ARRIVAL ON PORTUGUSE SOIL, HE EXCHANGED GIFTS WITH THE PORTUGUSE KING. GIFT, WAS NOT THE ONLY THING HE GAVE TO THE KING OF PORTUGAL, BUT SENSITIVE AND VALUABLE INFORMATION ABOUT MALI'S GOLD RESERVES NOW IN THE HANDS OF THE ROYAL FAMILIES OF SONGHAYE AND JOLOF. IT WAS THAT CONVERSATION BETWEEN JEELANE AND THE KING OF PORTUGAL WHICH LED THE KING OF PORTUGAL TO SEND THE FIRST PORTUGUESE EMBASSY TO MALI IN 1490 UNDER RODRIGO RABELLO, PERO REINEL AND JOAS COLLASO. THESE TREE PORTUGUSE AMBASSADORS THEN MANAGED TO OBTAIN FURTHER INFORMATION ON MALI AND TIMBUKTU AND IN PARTICULAR, THE WARS BETWEEN THE MOSSI AND THE MALIANS. HE WAS BAPTISED INTO CATHOLITISM IN PORTUGAL [NOVEMBER]. AFTER HIS BAPTISM, HE WAS GIVEN AN ARMY BY THE KING OF PORTUGAL. THAT PORTUGUESE ARMY WILL ACCOMPANY HIM TO JOLOF. THE PORTUGUESE ARMY'S BRIEF WAS TO DETHRONE THE BUUR BA JOLOF AND PUT BUUMI JEELANE ON THE THRONE. FURTHER, THEY WOULD ALSO BUILD A FORT AT THE MOUTH OF THE SENEGAL RIVER TO PROTECT THEIR INTEREST WITH THE FULL BACKING OF THEIR NEW FOUND ALLY. THE KING OF PORTUGAL APPOINTED ONE OF HIS BEST MEN AS JEELANE'S PROTECTOR {BODY GUARD} AND THE MAN WHO WILL OVERSEE THE JOLOF MISSION -THAT WAS: PERO VAS DE CUNHA. WHEN JEELANE RETURNED BACK TO JOLOF WITH HIS 'PORTUGUESE ARMY', THE GARMI [ROYAL PRINCES], THE GEWEELS [GRIOTS] OF THE ROYAL FAMILY AND THE ARISTOCRACY ACCUSED HIM OF TREACHERY. THEY COMMANDED THE CHEDDO ARMY TO DEFEND THE BUUR BA AND THE KINGDOM AND REFUSED TO ALLOW HIM TO SIT ON THE THRONE. PERO VAS'S ARMY WAS NO MATCH FOR THE CHEDDOS. HE WAS DEFEATED BY THE CHEDDO WARRIORS.IN THE END, JEELANE WAS ASSASSINATED BY THE VERY PERSON THE KING OF PORTUGAL ENTRUSTED TO PROTECT HIM - THAT WAS: PERO VAS DE CUNHA HIMSELF. JEELANE DOUBLE CROSSED HIM. BUUMI JEELANE ALSO PLAYED A KEY PART IN ENSURING ALL THE PORTGUESE MISSIONARIES WERE EXPELLED. PERO VAS ACCUSED JEELANE OF TREACHERY AND HAVE HIM ASSASSINATED. PERO VAS ENDED HIS ADVENTURE IN JOLOF AND RETURNED BACK HOME WITH HIS MEN WHO HAVE NOT PERISHED IN THE HANDS OF THE CHEDDO ARMY HAVING ACCOMPLISHED NOTHING IN JOLOF.
13. HE WAS THE GRAND UNCLE OF THE LATE ALHAJI BABOU SAMBA AND MILITARY ADVISOR AND COMMANDER OF TAFSIR AMAT JAHOU BAH'S ARMY - COMMONLY KNOWN AS MABA JAHOU BAH.
14. SAIT MATTI BAH
15. BUUR KUMBA NDOFFENE FA MAK JOOF. KING OF SINE
16. TAFSIR ALHAJI OMAR TAAL
17. ALMOST A WEEK AFTER MABA JAHOU'S VICTORY IN KAOLACK, A LARGE GROUP OF HIS DECIPLES ENTERED SINE [THE HEART OF SERERE PEGAN COUNTRY]. MABA HIMSELF DID NOT ENTER SINE. HIS DECIPLES WERE DEFEATED AND THOSE THAT REMAINED FLED BACK. THAT WAS ATTACK WAS VERY SURPRISING, BECAUSE MABA HAD AVOIDED KUMBA NDOFFENE JOOF [KING OF SINE] FOR SIX YEARS. AS A RESULT, THERE ARE SOME HISTORIANS WHO BELIEVE THAT HE WAS NOT AWARE OF WHAT HIS DICIPLES WERE DOING. ON THE OTHER HAND, MOST HISTORIANS BELIEVE HE WAS, BECAUSE AS THE HEAD AND OF HIS SECT, COMMAND ALWAYS CAME FROM HIM - AS EVIDENT THROUGH OUT HIS JIHADS. THEREFORE, HE WAS EITHER TRYING TO TEST KUMBA NDOFFENE FAMAK WHOM HE HAD AVOIDED FOR YEARS OR TRYING TO PROVOKE HIM INTO BATTLE [SOMETHING HE WAS WELL KNOWN FOR AS EVIDENT IN HIS JIDHADS]. TWO MONTHS AFTER HIS FOLLOWERS WERE DEFEATED, THEY ENTERED DIAKHAO [CAPITAL OF SINE] - THIS TIME WITH MABA JAHOU AND THEY BURNED DOWN DIAKHAO. THAT WAS NOT MERELY A SURPRISED ATTACK, BUT BASED ON FACTUAL EVIDENCE, LET JUST SAY IT WAS NOT A NOBLE ATTACK. FIRST, THE PEOPLE THEY TARGETED WERE THE CIVILIANS, SECOND, THE ATTACK WAS SPONTANEOUS, IT HAPPENED WHEN KUMBA NDOFFEN WAS NOT PRESENT -, HE ATTENDED THE FUNERAL OF JAIE CHASS ON THAT DAY. JAIE CHASS WAS A MEMBER OF HIS WARRIOR ARMY [A CHEDDO]. HE WAS SENT OFF TO THE SPIRIT WORLD IN A HONOURABLE FASHION ACCORDING TO SERERE CUSTOM. THE DIGNITARIES OF SINE, MEMBERS OF THE ARMY [PAST AND PRESENT] AS WELL AS THE KING OF SINE [KUMBA NDOFFENE FAMAK] ALL GATHERED AT THE KERR NGORR WERE THE FUNERAL WOULD BEGIN AND END. IN SERERE CUSTUM, FUNERAL CELEBRATIONS IS A TIME OF EATING AND DRINKING - [CELEBRATING THE LIFE OF THE DEPARTED], THEREFORE, APART FROM ATTACKING THE INNOCENT CIVILIANS, SINE'S DEFENCES WOULD HAVE BEEN DOWN. KUMBA NDOFFENE WAS NOTIFIED ABOUT THE MASSACRE AT DIAKHAO. HE LEFT THE FUNERAL CELEBRATION AND HEADED STRAIGTH TO DIAKHAO TO SEE THE DEVASTATION FOR HIMSELF. HE IMMEDIATELY SENT HIS MESSENGER TO MABA JAHOU. THIS IS A DIRECT QUOTE OF THAT MESSAGE - 'THIS ATTACK IS UNDIGNIFIED. IF YOU ARE MAN, I CHALLENGE YOU TO COME BACK AND MEET THE ARMY OF SINE IN OPEN BATTLE'. IN JULY I867, MABA CAME. THE WATCHERS NOTIFIED THE KING THAT THE RIP ARMY IS APROACHING SINE. BEFORE, HE GATHERED HIS ARMY, HE SUMMONED THE ELDERS [HIS COUNCILORS] TO PERFORM THE ANCIENT RITUALS OF THEIR FOREFATHERS. HE THEN COMMANDED HIS JARAFF - MAM WASSALY SENE, TO PERFORM THE ANCIENT RITUAL OF THE ANCESTORS - BY PLANTING HIS SPEAR ON THE GROUND AN ANNOUNCE THE OUTCOME. THIS IS AN ANCIENT AFRICAN ROYAL TRADITION AND THE SERERE ROYAL FAMILIES WERE NOT THE ONLY ONES WHO USED TO DO THIS. 'IN THE NAME OF ROOG' [THE SUPREME GOD OF THE SERERES], MAM WASSALY SENE RAISE THE SPEAR TO THE GODS OF THE HEAVENS AND STRUCK IT TO THE GROUND. HE THEN CRIED OUT 'VICTORY'.
KING KUMBA NDOFFENE GATHERED HIS CHEDDO ARMY AND LED THEM STRAIGHT TO SOMB [THE BATTLEFIELD]. I MUST POINT OUT HERE THAT, ALTHOUGH SOMB WAS THE STARTING POINT OF THE BATTLE, IT DID NOT END THERE, IT ENDED IN TIOUTIOUGNE. THIS IS THE REASON WHY THE GEWEELS GET ANGRY WHEN THEY HEAR THOSE WORDS 'THE BATTLE OF SOMB'. THEY ACCUSED THE FRENCH ARCHIVES AND ACADEMIC HISTORIANS [BOTH AFRICANS AND EUROPEANS] OF USING THE SHORT CUT AND CONDENSING THE FACTS. FOR THEM IT IS 'THE BATTLE OF TIOUTIOUGNE’ OR 'FANDANE-TIOUTIOUGNE' - WERE THE OUT COME WAS DECIDED AND NOT 'SOMB'.
THE TWO MEN [MABA JAHOU AND KUMBA NDOFFENE] ARE NOW FACE TO FACE. MABA JAHOU RECITED THE 'SHAHADA' [ISLAMIC DECLEARATION OF FAITH] FROM THE HOLY QURAN AS HE HAD ALWAYS DONE DURING HIS JIHADS:
'ALLAHOU AK-BARR [ALLAH IS GREAT] - ALLAH HOU ALAHILAHA ILLAL LAH [I BEAR WITNESS THAT THERE IS NO OTHER GOD BUT ALLAH] - WA ASHA-DU ANA MOHAMMADAN RASULILAH [AND MOHAMMAD IS HIS PROPHET]'.
IN ONE OF THE MOST DECISIVE BATTLES IN WHAT WAS THEN THE WESTERN SUDAN, KUMBA NDOFFENE FA MAK DEFEATED THE MARABOUTS, THEIR ARMY AND THEIR LEADER - TAFSIR AMAT JAHOU BAH [COMMONLY CALLED MABA/MAHABA JAHOU BAH] WAS KILLED. HAVING KILLED MAHABA, KUMBA NDOFFENE FAMAK CUT HIS HEAD OFF AND SENT IT TO JOAL TO 'ANNOUNCE HIS VICTORY AND CHALLENGE ANYONE ELSE WHO WISH TO ENIALATED THE PEGAN SERERES TO COME DOWN TO SINE AND MEET THE ARMY OF SINE'. HE THEN DISMEMBERED THE LIMBS OF MAHABA. AS REGARDS TO MAHABA'S BROTHER - ABDOU BAH, HE GAVE HIS ARMY THE COMMAND TO DO AS THEY WISH, AS HE HAS ALREADY GOT HIS PRIZE [THE HEAD OF MABA]. AFTER THE MEMBERS OF THE ARMY KILLED ABDOU, THEY RIPPED HIM TO PIECES AS IT THEY WERE BUTCHERS - BUTCHERING A PIG. THAT SENT A TERRIFYING SHOCK WAVE NOT JUST TO THE MUSLIM MARABOUTS BUT ALSO TO FAIDHERB AND LAMPRADE [OF FRANCE] THEMSELVES. THEY IMMEDIATELY SENT A MESSAGE TO THE BRITISH GOVERNOR IN THE GAMBIA, THAT MABA IS DEATH.
THAT DEFEAT OF MAHABA AT SOMB SHOCKED THE ISLAMIC JIHADIST AND THEY BEGAN TO ABANDON THEIR MISSION - 'AN ISLAMIC STATE IN THE HEART OF SERERE COUNTRY' - THOUGH, TEMPORARILY. THEY WILL RETURN AGAIN 2 YEARS LATER AND AGAIN WHERE DEFEATED BY THE PAGANS.
AT THE END OF THE BATTLE OF SOMB [FANDANE-TIOUTIOUGNE], THE VICTORIOUS KING KUMBA NDOFFENE FAMAK NURSED HIS INJURIES AND LED HIS BRAVE WARRIOR ARMY BACK HOME. THE GEWEELS OF SINE BEAT THE DRUMS, WHOSE JOB AS IT HAS BEEN FOR GENERATIONS BEYOND MEMORY - WAS TO RECORD AND RELAY HISTORY. THEY THEN MODIFIED AND CHANTED THE FOLLOWING ANCIENT WARRIOR SERERE HYMN - THE ARMY JOINED IN. THIS HYMN TELLS YOU WHAT HAPPENDED IN THAT BATTLE, BACKING UP THE HISTORICAL ARCHIVES:
IN SERERE
Fap Hamad Joof
Tandeh fo Kaet
O or Oleh hat Fandane
Dala Ngot
Bo fud es a buta
Mbai a varan'am
Sun ne'n Jahou
Ye de bgara
Me Somb a ndefu
Yerer a Tutun
Mbai Souka Ndella
A raha O ndonga'nga
Mbel Fandane eh
Talaba a naga pitit pasar
Ma Samba a humna
Jahou dang O lol
O ndongo sima
Ya eh! Tig eh fuhuna
Han O dal in eh
Roog a taha Mbai, O Kor Nadi
Vara ndongo yo!
Yacine O! Mbombeh O!
Kumba Ndoffene a var Maba
O kor of eh
Hoh um Tugal O! O bai um oleh Sedu
Taf um Tangeget
Sun neh na Jahou Dob
Tonkater o mad.
ROUGH ENGLISH TRANSLATION
Father Hamad Joof,
Tandeh and Kaet,
the devastation they left at Fandane
and went to camp in Ngot.
To calm and settle my stomach
let Mbai kill him.
This bull of Jahou.
Coming back,
he passed by Somb
he did not even have time to drink at Tioutiougne.
Mbai, son of Souka Ndella,
he pushed away the little 'talibeh' [little beggar]
At the stream of Fandane, he!
the drums beated loud
Masamba is sealed,
Jahou begins to cry
The 'talibeh' leaves us in peace.
He! my mother! there is no time for anger
But to laugh
It is Roog's [supreme Serere God] will that Mbai, brother of Nadi, had killed the marabout.
He Yacinee! He Mbombeh!
Kumba Ndoffene has killed Maba
Your husband.
His head is in Europe! His hands at Sedhiou!
His feet at Rufisque!
The bull of Jahou Jobe
Will never again offend the King.
FROM THIS ANCIENT HYMN WHICH THEY NICELY ADAPTED FOR THE REIGNING KING, WE CAN TELL THE GESTE AND THE GLORY OF KING KUMBA NDOFFENE FAMAK JOOF [BOUKAR TILAS JOOF] - SURNAMED MBAI[MBAYE].
THE SERERE GEWEELS STILL SING THE CHANTS OF SOMB.
NB:
A, TUTUN MEANS TIOUTIOUGNE
B, THERE WERE LOTS OF WHITE FRENCH PEOPLE IN JOAL. ALSO, JOAL WAS ONE OF THE FIRST BASE OF THE CATHOLIC MISSION - THE FIRST MISSIONARIES OF JOAL WERE FATHER ARRAGON AND FATHER GALLAIS, HENCE THE PHRASE 'HIS HEAD IS IN EUROPE'.
C, JAHOU JOBE WAS THE MOTHER OF MABA JAHOU. MABA'S FATHER DIED YEARS AGO - HENCE 'THE BULL OF JAHOU DOB'.
18. FARBA MBAR.
19.THE BATTLE OF KUMBOF.
20. To tackle this issue, one must go back to the beginning and in particular, address who Abu Bakr Ben Umar [his real name] was. he was an Almoravid instrumental in the fall of Ghana in 1076. This we know from dozens of evidence and in particular records left behind by his followers [members of his movement]. Before the actual fall of Ghana, the Ghanian royal family controlled the Awdaghost trading post. 300 years earlier [750 AD], the emperor - Ghana Majan Jabi Ceesay defeated the Amazigh Arabs at Awkar when they tried to establish a settlement. Three centuries later, Ghana Bassi and his nephew and successor Ghana Tankamanin [c1063 - 1076]defeated the Arabs [1068] who wanted to conquer their kingdom and regained the Awdaghost post which the Emperor's ancestor [Ghana Tounka - 990AD] took from the Arabs a century ago. In 1087, the Arabs sought revenge and regained the trading post and destroyed the kingdom of Ghana. This is were Abu Bakr ben Umar comes in. He was the leader of the Almoravid movement in that part of Africa who waged a war and defeated the royal family of Ghana. However, the Almoravid victory was short lived. Within that sect, greed and internal rivalry was rampant. Yousuf ben Tachfin [cousin of Abu Bakr] and other members of the movement were struggling for power. They themselves wanted to lead the movement in the Western Sudan. Behind his back, they themselves and not the royal family of Ghana plotted for the assassination of their leader [Abu Bakr] -, and on his return from Tagnant, they put their plans into motion and murdered him. He died in November 1087 of the Christian calendar. Yousuf Tachfin himself gave us a detailed account of his death and then tried to make a mense after his heresy by planting noble words on his grave stone, followed by a deliberate attempt to 'pass the buck' to his fellow Almoravids. This was at the time of the village [now city] of Marrakech was founded. After Abu's death, Yousuf tried to unite the Almoravids now threaten with war by the royal family of Ghana. The Almoravid unity was pointless, because the Ghanian royal family were able to defeat them for the last time and regained the Awdaghost post. However, as we all know, the story did not end there, because after the Ghanian royal family's victory, they were unable to utilise more resources and man power after earlier raids and wars. That was the demise of Ghana. It simply turned to dust and the empire fell apart. Abu Bakr was of that era and this is were my agreement with Wade’s account stops. Having laid the foundations, I now demolish that passage on Amadou Wade's paper. First, I am pleased to say I am not the only one who disagrees with that paper. All academic historians [apart from Amadou Wade] on Senegambian history have a problem with it. To name a few:
Omar Njie Leeyti; Martin Klein, Gravramd, Samba Jobe - who once said that certain people like to elevate themselves by trying to link their genealogy to Mohammad. In Wade's paper, for anyone who hasn't read it, he continued the genealogy of Njaniane Njie by saying 'Omar, then Abu Samsi, then Ousainou' were his forefathers. To my Muslim scholarly friends, does that ring a bell? Doesn't it sound like the genealogy of the prophet Mohammad? Anyone who knows the genealogy of the Wade family of Senegal would know that, they trace their paternal decent to Abdul Wade - whom by the way married the paternal half sister of Njaniane Njie. She went by the name of Aram Njie, yes! 'Njie' and not ben Umar or anything of a sort. This is not only stated by the geweels, but confirmed Ibn Battuta - though only in passing reference. I'll say more about Battuta later.
The Serere and Mandinka geweels/jalis gave us an insight into the history of the Gelwars. Before you look down at them [because it is merely oral], you must bear with me. Mansa Tiramanghan Trawally who conquered Gabou [modern day Guinea Bissau] was cousin and contemporate of Sundiata Keita. We know they were contemporate thanks to the battle of Kirina around 1235AD. Descendants of Tiramanghan - the Gelwars [off shot of the Nyanthios of Gabou] would latter migrate to the Sine area of Senegal - homeland of the Sereres. In 1285 AD, Mansa Sakoura entered Jolof soil when Laman Jaw [died 1287] was on the throne. We further know that Mansa Musa made the pilgrimage to Mecca in 1324. This is documented. Mansa Musa was future successor of Sundiata and therefore, the Mandinka jalis were absolutely right about were they placed Sundiata and Tiramanghan as well as Kirina. Mansa Musa himself gave us an insight during his conversations with Arab notables who would later relay their stories to Al - Umari.
I now move on to the Gelwars of Gabou who moved to the ancient kingdom of Sine following the battle of Turubang in 1335. I first came across the word 'Turubang' from my late grand uncle many years ago and decided to dig deep from the geweels/jalis, the academic works of the above historians and other papers as well as the geweels of Guinea Bissau. Although I forgot the meaning of the word itself, I have never forgotten the story: when the Gelwars were butchered at Gabou forcing them to seek refuge in Sine. In fact, it was my Mandinka friends at Bantaba who told me the meaning of the word. When Ibn Battuta visited the western Sudan 1352, Maissa Wally Jaxateh Manneh as well as Njaniane Njie [whose real name was Momodou Fatoumatta Njie] were on the throne of Sine and Jolof respectively. At that time, right up to 1969 when the last kings of sine and saloum [Mahecor Joof and Fode Ngui Joof] died, women held high positions and the Lingeer [royal princess/queen mother] - usually the king's sister or mother had constitutional duties. They were judge and jury of the female court. The queen mother in particular was left with the task of negotiating with other queen mothers [of other kingdoms] whether their daughter was suitable marriage material for her son - i.e. whether she was a pure Lingeer [of royal stock on both her maternal and paternal line] and vice-versa. Encouraging marriage of her son with her maternal relatives for the continuation of her matrilineal bloodline [Meen]. The paternal bloodline unlike the maternal bloodline is always remembered because people take their father's surnames, therefore, kings were very interested in their maternal blood, hence joos, tedyek, loggar, sai, gelwar, sos, muyoy, wagadou, etc. Kings would also take their mothers' names as middle names to show that, they were of noble stock from both sides of their parents. The Lingeer was crowned and she had to take oath [the crowning of the Lingeer] just as the king was crowned. Ibn Battuta was appalled by the fact that, kings took their mothers' names as middle names and that women were free and allowed to be queens. He could not believe it, because were he came from, women held no respectable position. They were simply their to serve men.
If anything, this confirms what the Wolof and Serere geweels have always said and still do to this day, that, Maissa Wally from Gabou was instrumental in getting Njaniane Njie on the throne thereby putting these two kings at the same period. They went hand in hand as anyone who knows the story of Njaniane would testify to. In addition, the geweels told us that Njaniane/Njaajan Njie’s real name was Momodou [Modou]. Njaajan was a nick name given to him by the king of sine. In Serere, it means extraordinary. This backs up Ibn Battuta accounts. The geweels also told us that Fatoumatta Sallah was his mother [a Tukuloor] - and his father Aboubacarr [Bubacarr]. This is were Amadou Wades confusion started as agreed upon by the elite academic historians some of whom are named above. In stead of taking into account the Battle of Turubang and the Gel wars - descendants of Tiramanghan - who was contemporate of Sundiata, and that Mansa Musa [who made the pilgrimage to Mecca in 1324] was a later successor of Sundiata, Amadou Wade simply worked backwards and prescribed Abu Bakr 1087AD.
If we are to go by Wade’s account, that would put Sundiata and the battle of Kirina in around the 10th century AD and Mansa Musa’ s pilgrimage at the first half of the eleventh century. We all know that simply cannot be, because if anything Mansa Musa’s pilgrimage was so well documented it was virtually a world evident: - the price of gold dropped to a ridiculous level. Buumi Jeelane [Prince of Jolof] himself gave the king of Portugal [Joao] great insight into the recent fall of Mali or at least when it was at the brink of destruction thanks to some of the useless successors of Mansa Musa. Further, in his haste, Wade ignored or failed to consider the later official documents of the Portuguese in Senegambia. Not all of them were useless. Some in fact did tell us the name of the king who was sitting on the throne - the ruler they signed a trade treaty with and the date it was signed. - again, backing up the Geweels’ accounts when they gave the successions of kings. Amadou Wade’s paper on the other hand put these kings centuries out of the date they actually reigned and when it came to the kings who reigned from the 18th - 19th centuries [where the official documents are in black and white and numerous], he simply juggled the figures. If this is not irresponsible reporting I don’t know what is.
Lastly, The Njie clan just like the Joof, Sene and Sarr clans have been in existence long before Abu Bakr the Almoravid. Common sense dictates that, the royal family of Jolof would have had a different surname if they were paternal descendants of Abu Bakr -the Almoravid. Njie is a Senegambia surname and not an Arab surname. The Wolof and Serere nobles unlike some Mandinka nobles [especially in the old days] do not change their surname. In fact their paternal descent elicit in their surname was extremely important to them in determining their social status. If one did not have a noble surname, there was no chance in hell that one could rule. That was especially true in Jolof - which was paternal, even in the Serere Kingdoms, because in Serere, you inherit your noble status from your father.
To his credit, one may argue that his paper was written many years ago and he may not have had access to several old scholar papers etc. Nevertheless, I still hold the opinion that it is gross irresponsibleness to wrongly report on such a fundamental issue like this.
21. War Jabi
22. An ancient Serere title given to a King . The Wolof word Lam and the Fula word Lamtoro all derived from that word.
23. Obatala
24. Bida
25. Oya
26. Maulud Nabi/Malid An-Naabiyy [Arabic words] celebrates the birth of the prophet, and 'Gamo' [a Senegambian tradition] also marks the birth of the prophet, however, the word 'Gamo' is a borrowed word from the ancient Serere divination festival - the purpose of which was to predict the course of the winter months. It is an ancient Serere pagan festival. It takes its name from the old Serere word 'Gama-hou' a rough translation is 'to find the lost heart'.
27. The ancestors believed emperor worship guarantees entry to the after life. Just as in ancient Egypt.
28. Ngeej [the immensity]
29. They were the inhabitants of Senegambia more than 10,000 years ago.
30. Their ancient culture is referred to as the Tiemassas culture. Based on archaeological evidence, they built ancient monumental megaliths of Senegambia. Most of these ancient people occupied the area of Thies [now part of independence Senegal] - hence their name. They founded the Casamance even the Gambia as they spread over the land. Their descendants were those that would later settle in Mbissel - in particular the old villages of Joal and Fajuk. There is a general consensus among the historians, archaeologists and forensic scientists that the Jolas and Sereres were among their direct descendants. In 1978, Cyr Decamps and team excavated the area and found numerous ancient artefacts including a golden pectoral dated much later in the 4th century of the Christian Era - based on the fashion the pagan Sereres used to wear and still do in their elaborative funeral rituals. Their consensus was, it was probably for a King.
SOURCES:
PRECIS GRAMMATICAL DE SERERE BY WALY COLY FAYE
COOSAN BY HENRI GRAVRAND
LES JOLOF ET SES BUUR BA BY OMAR NJIE LEEYTI
ISLAM AND IMPERIALISM IN SENEGAL BY MARTIN KLEIN
LES NATIONALE ARCHIVE DU SENEGAL
AL -UMARI
YORUBA DANCE AND RELIGION BY OMOFOLABO S. AJAYI
NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC SOCIETY
GEWEELS/JALIS OF SENEGAMBIA, MALI AND GUINEA BISSAU
INTERVIEWS WITH THE ELDERS OF MY FAMILY
DOCUMENTS HELD BY MY FAMILY
MY ACCUMULATED KNOWLEDGE OVER THE YEARS.
CHRONIQUE DU WALLO BY AMADOU WADE
YOUSUF IBN TACHFIN [JOURNAL] AND ENGRAVINGS ON THE TOMB OF ABU BAKR
THE EPIC OF SUNDIATA KEITA
-OFFICIAL DOCUMENTS HELD BY THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST AND LATTER DAY SAINTS [H/Q: SALT LAKE]
RECORDS HELD AT THE BRITISH LIBRARY [LONDON]
RECORDS HELD AT THE SCHOOL OF ORIENTAL AND AFRICAN STUDIES [LONDON]
AFRICAN HISTORY FOR BEGINNERS
CHRONOLOGY OF THE MEDIEVAL WORLD
GRAMMAIRE DE LA LANGUE SERER BY P. LAMOISE
PANGOOL BY HENRI GRAVRAND
WOLOF EPIC. EPIC OF NJANIANE NJIE BY SAMBA JOBE
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Tamsier
Serere heritage. Serere religion. Serere to the end.
Roog a fa ha. |
Edited by - tamsier on 07 Nov 2008 02:55:31 |
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Momodou
Denmark
11641 Posts |
Posted - 07 Nov 2008 : 20:43:41
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| Tamsier, thanks for sharing this interesting and educative history with us. It’s a good source of further research in the history of our region. |
A clear conscience fears no accusation - proverb from Sierra Leone |
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