WHEN SAMORY IS PUSHED BACK FROM A FIRST EMPIRE HE ESTABLISHES ANOTHER IN DJIMINI
(1894-1898)
Adapted from African History Extra, "The Empire of Samori Ture on the Eve of Colonisation" by Isaac Samuel / zoom
In the 50 years since the cowrie currency let commerce be open to all, a new social class of grain-producing slave-owners has appeared: the "Sonnangui."
They are "indigenous people [...] who have adopted the language the customs, the ways and the external aspects of the Dyulas' religion while keeping the Senufo tattoos [...]
They have neither the elevation of ideas nor the education of the Dyula, but having opened their arms and land to Samory, have profited from the victor's friendship to exploit the Senufo, toward whom they display an arrogance and a despotism that the Dyula ignore."
-- Abidjan archives
Now indistinguishable from other Senufo, they are remembered for a "curious" Islam that brought them closer to the conquerors and separated them from their animist slaves.
* *
The Senufo remember a traitor, Pelegayan, "who wanted to be king, but did not have the right."
He grew millet for the new market of Foumbolo on Samory's route. When the Djimini forces stopped Samory near it Pelegayan got up at night, found Samory and said,
-- "Don't be discouraged, you'll win this battle.
-- How?
-- Oh, don't worry, I am a child of this country and I will show you its secrets.
-- You tell me not to be discouraged, but I've been here for three months and I'm not getting anywhere.
-- Oh, don't worry, I am a child of this country, I know the secrets, you will win out."
"He gave the secrets and told his army not to load its guns.
-- Serisio Coulibali, farmer
* *
The Sonnangui are examples of the commercial producers who back long-distance traders and slave raiders.
They must have appeared throughout the savannah
but to my knowledge are not mentioned.
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