4.3.4. A THEOCRACY AMPS UP GROWTH...

MUSLIM LAW ENCOURAGES COMMERCIAL PRODUCTION... 

and the most dynamic traders of the Middle Niger back the theocracy of al-hajj Umar.

(The Tukulor confederation of Segu, 1861-1890)

The capital is the town of Ségou, on the Middle Niger.

 They use Islamic law to...

• Impose private landownership 

When Umar and his crowds arrive, communal property is at the heart of local Muslim as well as animist social structure. But Islamic law demands division among heirs — that is, private property in practice — and the regime soldier-backed judges enforce it.

By the 1890's all the land in the densely-populated Segu area is privately held, and produces millet for fifty local markets.

Communal organization is gone.

-- Dakar archives, 1895.

• Obtain labor through "holy wars." The next chapter says more.

# # #

Such change requires authority: "He said he was a mere soldier of Mohammed, but that gave him infinitely more power than that of the usual king."  

 -- An official mentioned in Dakar archives, 1887, 
citing Amadou Tall, Umar's son and successor

 Al-hajj Umar Tall, drawing of the time, source unknown

A robe and headdress that do not encumber and steps, not a barrier, steps increase the aura.

• Let rulers choose their heirs and transmit their wealth to them.

Along the Senegal and Niger, succession that passed from brother to brother ensured short reigns and prevented a single dynasty from accumulating wealth. But now the leader alone possesses "baraka" (divine grace), and can convey it to his chosen heir.

Umar chooses his son Amadu, who also appoints his successor.

• Amadu keeps treasure. 

When his father's followers accuse him of "stinginess" —  the usual complaint when a king does not share  — he hires soldiers of his own.

He takes 20 camel-loads of gold (500 kilos) on campaign and the French find gold jewels valued at 300,000 francs buried in the palace.

-- Aubin p. 476, notes 161, 163, 164.

# # #

Doctrine is adapted to practical needs: 

• Ségou becomes a pilgrimage destination equal to Mecca, reinforcing the theocracy. 

• Amadu has 800 wives, which lets all groups hope that a son of theirs will come to power.

-- Mecca: Paul Soleillet, 
Voyages et découvertes dans le Sahara et dans le Soudan, 1887, p. 233. 

-- Wives: Lt. de vaisseau Mage,
 Voyage dans le Soudan occidental, 1868, p. 408

1920's postcard

To understand the hold of mass philosophies,

set them in their economic contexts

and observe the practical effects of applying them.

*     *     *

Next,

4.3.5.

 ...then contains it

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