4.6.5. SAMORY AND THE SENUFO JUDAS

WHEN THE FRENCH PUSHED SAMORY AWAY FROM A FIRST EMPIRE HE ESTABLISHED ANOTHER IN DJIMINI 

(IN 1894-1898)

Adapted from African History Extra, "The Empire of Samori Ture on the Eve of Colonisation" by Isaac Samuel / zoom

Use of the cowrie currency opened commerce to all and a new social class had emerged: the "Sonnangui," who used slaves to produce grain for the new markets.

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. They have profited from the victor's friendship to exploit the Senufo, toward whom they display an arrogance and 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.

*    *

Their siding with Samory is remembered through the story of 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 near Samory's camp

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

*    *

Commercial producers like the Sonnangui must have backed the raiders throughout the savannah.

They appear, to my knowledge,

in oral tradition alone.

*    *    *
4.5.6. 

Colonial conquest does not bring economic control