The Joos Maternal Dynasty (
Serer: ''Joos Fadiou/Fadioudj'', other variations: ''Dioss Fahou/Fadiou'',
[Bulletin. Serie B: Sciences humaines / ]Institut fondamental d'Afrique noire
IFAN (I.F.A.N., Institut fondamental d'Afrique noire or Fundamental Institute of Black Africa
Sub-Saharan Africa is, geographically, the area and regions of the continent of Africa that lies south of the Sahara. These include West Africa, ...
, Volume 41. p 234, (1979) ''Dyoss'',
[Institut français d'Afrique noire, Bulletin de l'Institut français d'Afrique noire: Sciences humaines, Volume 17. IFAN, (1955), p 317 ] ''Dieuss'', ''Dihosou'', ''Diouss'', ''Dyoos''
[ Barry, Boubacar, "Le Royaume du Waalo: le Sénégal avant la conquête", KARTHALA Editions (1985), p 73, ] or ''Djeus''
[Brigaud, Félix, "Histoire du Sénégal: Des origines aux traités de protectorat", Clair-afrique (1964), p 16 ]) was a
Serer maternal dynasty which originated from the Serer pre-colonial
Kingdom of Sine
The Kingdom of Sine (also: ''Sin, Siine'' or Siin in the Serer-Sine language) was a post-classical Serer kingdom along the north bank of the Saloum River delta in modern Senegal. The inhabitants are called ''Siin-Siin'' or ''Sine-Sine'' (a Se ...
in the 14th century and spread to the
Wolof
Wolof or Wollof may refer to:
* Wolof people, an ethnic group found in Senegal, Gambia, and Mauritania
* Wolof language, a language spoken in Senegal, Gambia, and Mauritania
* The Wolof or Jolof Empire, a medieval West African successor of the Mal ...
Kingdom of
Waalo
Walo ( wo, Waalo) was a kingdom on the lower Senegal River in West Africa, in what are now Senegal and Mauritania. It included parts of the valley proper and areas north and south, extending to the Atlantic Ocean. To the north were Moorish emira ...
.
[The reign of Caaka Mbaar (var. ''Tyaaka Mbar'') nBarry (1985), p 32]
See page 327 for the most probable date of his son – Yerim Mbanyik Ndoye Demba's reign (var. ''Yérim Mbanyik Ndoy Demba''
(Retrieved 21 July 2012) The
matriarch
Matriarchy is a social system in which women hold the primary power positions in roles of authority. In a broader sense it can also extend to moral authority, social privilege and control of property.
While those definitions apply in general E ...
or founder of this
maternal
]
A mother is the female parent of a child. A woman may be considered a mother by virtue of having given birth, by raising a child who may or may not be her biological offspring, or by supplying her ovum for fertilisation in the case of gestat ...
dynasty was
Lingeer Fatim Beye
Lingeer Fatim Beye Joos FadiouMany variations : ''Fatimata Beye'' (see BIFAN, 1979, pp 225, 233), ''Fatim/Fatimata Beye'' (see BIFAN, 1979, p 234), ''Fatime Bey'' (BIFAN, 1979, p 234), etc. The Serer surname ''Beye'' or ''Bèye'', following i ...
, a princess and queen originally from the Kingdom of Sine.
In Waalo, it was founded by the princess
Lingeer Ndoye Demba
Linguere Ndoye Demba Joos Fadiou, also known as Ndoye Demba in Senegambian dynastic history, was a Serer princess from the Kingdom of Sine (now part of present-day Senegal), from the later half of the 14th century to the 15th century. The roya ...
of Sine.
Lingeer Ndoye Demba was the maternal granddaughter of Lingeer Fatim Beye. They both came from the Serer ethnic group.
Although the pre-colonial Kingdoms of Sine and Waalo now form part of modern-day
Senegal
Senegal,; Wolof: ''Senegaal''; Pulaar: 𞤅𞤫𞤲𞤫𞤺𞤢𞥄𞤤𞤭 (Senegaali); Arabic: السنغال ''As-Sinighal'') officially the Republic of Senegal,; Wolof: ''Réewum Senegaal''; Pulaar : 𞤈𞤫𞤲𞤣𞤢𞥄𞤲𞤣𞤭 ...
, in pre-colonial
Senegambia
The Senegambia (other names: Senegambia region or Senegambian zone,Barry, Boubacar, ''Senegambia and the Atlantic Slave Trade'', (Editors: David Anderson, Carolyn Brown; trans. Ayi Kwei Armah; contributors: David Anderson, American Council of Le ...
, present-day
Gambia
The Gambia,, ff, Gammbi, ar, غامبيا officially the Republic of The Gambia, is a country in West Africa. It is the smallest country within mainland AfricaHoare, Ben. (2002) ''The Kingfisher A-Z Encyclopedia'', Kingfisher Publicatio ...
had open-borders with Senegal and share the same
historical
History (derived ) is the systematic study and the documentation of the human activity. The time period of event before the invention of writing systems is considered prehistory. "History" is an umbrella term comprising past events as well ...
and
cultural heritage
Cultural heritage is the heritage of tangible and intangible heritage assets of a group or society that is inherited from past generations. Not all heritages of past generations are "heritage"; rather, heritage is a product of selection by soci ...
. The demarcation of the two countries is purely geographical due to their colonial past, with Britain colonizing the Gambia and France colonizing Senegal. For a background to these events see the
History of Senegal
The history of Senegal is commonly divided into a number of periods, encompassing the prehistoric era, the precolonial period, colonialism, and the contemporary era.
Paleolithic
The earliest evidence of human life is found in the valley of the ...
,
History of the Gambia
The first written records of the region come from Arab traders in the 9th and 10th centuries. In medieval times, the region was dominated by the Trans-Saharan trade and was ruled by the Mali Empire. In the 16th century, the region came to be rul ...
,
Senegambia
The Senegambia (other names: Senegambia region or Senegambian zone,Barry, Boubacar, ''Senegambia and the Atlantic Slave Trade'', (Editors: David Anderson, Carolyn Brown; trans. Ayi Kwei Armah; contributors: David Anderson, American Council of Le ...
and
Timeline of Serer history
This is a timeline of the history and development of Serer religion and the Serer people of Senegal, The Gambia and Mauritania. This timeline merely gives an overview of their history, consisting of calibrated archaeological discoveries in Sere ...
.
From c. 1367,
this
maternal dynasty provided many
kings of Waalo who rule by the royal title "Brak". The Braks were the successors of the
Lamane
Lamane or laman (also ''laam'' or ''lam'') means "master of the land" in the Mandingue, Wolof, and Serer languages. The name was also sometimes the title of chiefs or kings of the Serer people of the Senegambia region which includes modern day Sen ...
s in
Waalo
Walo ( wo, Waalo) was a kingdom on the lower Senegal River in West Africa, in what are now Senegal and Mauritania. It included parts of the valley proper and areas north and south, extending to the Atlantic Ocean. To the north were Moorish emira ...
, and ruled the country from the 14th century to 1855, the year Waalo fell to
the French which resulted to the abolition of the monarchy.
Origins
The origins of the Joos as a matriclan is uncertain. What is known is that, it is just one of the many
Serer matriclans which were in existence at the time of the
Lamane
Lamane or laman (also ''laam'' or ''lam'') means "master of the land" in the Mandingue, Wolof, and Serer languages. The name was also sometimes the title of chiefs or kings of the Serer people of the Senegambia region which includes modern day Sen ...
s.
[BIFAN (1955), pp 313–326] The Lamanes were the
old Serer kings. The exact period within the
Serer calendar Serer may refer to:
* Serer people
* Serer language
* Serer religion
*Rafael Calvo Serer
Rafael Calvo Serer (born 6 October 1916 at Valencia, Spain, died 19 April 1988 at Pamplona, Navarra, Spain) was a Professor of History of Spanish Philosophy, ...
that this matriclan first acquired notoriety in
Serer country Serer may refer to:
* Serer people
* Serer language
* Serer religion
*Rafael Calvo Serer
Rafael Calvo Serer (born 6 October 1916 at Valencia, Spain, died 19 April 1988 at Pamplona, Navarra, Spain) was a Professor of History of Spanish Philosophy, a ...
is a matter of conjecture. Other than being in existence at the time of the Lamanes little is known about which part of the Lamanic period it first gained prominence. According to some sources, it was prominent by the first half of the 14th century. This corresponds to the collapse of the Lamanic Era (see also
Lamane Jegan Joof
Lamane Jegan Joof (English spelling in the Gambia, Lamane Djigan Diouf French spelling in Senegal, also : Ndigan Dieye Diouf, Djigan Diouf, Laman Jegaan Juuf or Jegaan Jaay Juuf in Serer language), was a Serer lamane who according to Serer tra ...
, the
Joof family
Joof (English spelling in the Gambia) or Diouf (French spelling in Senegal and Mauritania) is a surname that is typically Serer.
This surname is also spelt Juuf or Juf (in the Serer language). They are the same people. The differences in spel ...
and
Guelowar
Guelowar, also spelled Gelwar, Guelwar, Guelware, Gueleware or Gueloware, was a maternal dynasty in the pre-colonial Serer kingdoms of Sine and Saloum (in the Senegambia, but mainly in the western area of present-day Senegal). They were from the ...
).
[ Sarr, Alioune, '' Histoire du Sine-Saloum'' (Sénégal). Introduction, bibliographie et notes par Charles Becker. Version légèrement remaniée par rapport à celle qui est parue en 1986-87. p 19 ] The name of their clan (Joos Fadiou) means the ''Joos of Fadiou'' (
Fadiouth).
History
The Joos Maternal Dynasty was one of the
Serer and
Senegambian dynasties in
pre-colonial Senegambia. The princess
Lingeer Ndoye Demba
Linguere Ndoye Demba Joos Fadiou, also known as Ndoye Demba in Senegambian dynastic history, was a Serer princess from the Kingdom of Sine (now part of present-day Senegal), from the later half of the 14th century to the 15th century. The roya ...
(founder of this dynasty in Waalo) descended from the
maternal
]
A mother is the female parent of a child. A woman may be considered a mother by virtue of having given birth, by raising a child who may or may not be her biological offspring, or by supplying her ovum for fertilisation in the case of gestat ...
line of
Lingeer Fatim Beye
Lingeer Fatim Beye Joos FadiouMany variations : ''Fatimata Beye'' (see BIFAN, 1979, pp 225, 233), ''Fatim/Fatimata Beye'' (see BIFAN, 1979, p 234), ''Fatime Bey'' (BIFAN, 1979, p 234), etc. The Serer surname ''Beye'' or ''Bèye'', following i ...
,
[Many variations: ''Fatimata Beye'' (see BIFAN, 1979, pp 225, 233), ''Fatim/Fatimata Beye'' (see BIFAN, 1979, p 234), ''Fatime Bey'' (BIFAN, 1979, p 234), etc. The :Serer surnames, Serer surname ''Beye'' or ''Bèye'', following its French spelling in Senegal is also a Serer matriclan. Fatim (proper: ''Fa tim'') in ]Serer language
Serer, often broken into differing regional dialects such as Serer-Sine and Serer saloum, is a language of the kingdoms of Sine and Saloum branch of Niger–Congo spoken by 1.2 million people in Senegal and 30,000 in the Gambia as of 2009. It i ...
means ''"the maternal clan of..."'' For more on Serer matrilineality, see Jean-Marc Gastellu « 'Petit traité de matrilinarité. L'accumulation dans deux sociétés rurales d'Afrique de l'Ouest', Cahiers ORSTOM, série Sciences Humaines (1985) » , in Jean-Marc Gastellu, "Matrilineages, Economic Groups and Differentiation in West Africa": ''A Note'' (O.R.S.TO.M) the
matriarch
Matriarchy is a social system in which women hold the primary power positions in roles of authority. In a broader sense it can also extend to moral authority, social privilege and control of property.
While those definitions apply in general E ...
of this dynasty, both originally from the
Kingdom of Sine
The Kingdom of Sine (also: ''Sin, Siine'' or Siin in the Serer-Sine language) was a post-classical Serer kingdom along the north bank of the Saloum River delta in modern Senegal. The inhabitants are called ''Siin-Siin'' or ''Sine-Sine'' (a Se ...
and members of the
Serer ethnic group.
Lingeer Fatim Beye is the maternal grandmother of Ndoye Demba
and ancestor of all the Joos that came after her.
In some sources, she is cited as the founder of the Joos Dynasty.
[BIFAN (1979), p 234]
Lingeer Fatim Beye who was a contemporary of
Ndiadiane Ndiaye the possibly mythical founder of the
Jolof Empire Jolof (french: Djolof or ') may refer to either of
* Jolof Empire, a West African successor state to the Mali Empire in modern Senegal from the 14th to 16th centuries
* Kingdom of Jolof, a rump survival of the earlier empire from the 16th to the 19t ...
, is also reported to have been married to
Maad a Sinig Maysa Wali Jaxateh Manneh
Maad a Sinig Maysa Wali Jaxateh Manneh ( Serer proper : Maysa Waali Maane, many variations : Maysa Waaly Dione, Gravrand, Henry, "La Civilisation Sereer – ''Pangool''", vol.2, Les Nouvelles Editions Africaines du Senegal, (1990), P 344, ...
(var: Manyeasa Wali Dione
) at one point.
Maysa Wali was the first member of the
Guelowar Dynasty to rule in Sine or any of the
Serer kingdoms after a severe defeat inflicted on his family (the Guelowars) by the
Ñaancos. The Ñaancos were for several centuries until 1865 (the Battle of Kansala) the reigning and powerful maternal dynasty of
Kaabu
The Kaabu Empire (1537–1867), also written Gabu, Ngabou, and N'Gabu, was an empire in the Senegambia region centered within modern northeastern Guinea-Bissau, larger parts of today's Gambia; extending into Koussanar, Koumpentoum, regions ...
(in present-day
Guinea-Bissau
Guinea-Bissau ( ; pt, Guiné-Bissau; ff, italic=no, 𞤘𞤭𞤲𞤫 𞤄𞤭𞤧𞤢𞥄𞤱𞤮, Gine-Bisaawo, script=Adlm; Mandinka: ''Gine-Bisawo''), officially the Republic of Guinea-Bissau ( pt, República da Guiné-Bissau, links=no ) ...
). They defeated the Guelowars at the Battle of Troubang, an alleged dynastic war between the royal houses of Guelowar and Ñaancos. In fact there was no "Battle of Troubang". In reporting this tradition,
Henry Gravrand
Father Henry Gravrand (France, 1921 - Abbey of Latrun, Palestine, 11 July 2003) was a French Catholic missionary to Africa and an anthropologist who has written extensively on Serer religion and culture. He was one of the leading pioneers of inte ...
did not notice that this is actually a description of the 1867 (or 1865)
Battle of Kansala
The Battle of Kansala or ''Final Battle'' (Mandinka: ''Turban Keloo'') or ''Siege of Kansala'' was a military engagement between forces of the Kaabu Empire and the Imamate of Futa Jallon. The battle ended Mandinka hegemony over Africa’s Atlant ...
although the departure of the Guelowar can probably be explained by a war or a conflict of succession.
[ Sarr, Alioune, ''Histoire du Sine-Saloum (Sénégal)'' Introduction, bibliographie et notes par Charles Becker. 1986–87, p 19] Having escaped
Kaabu
The Kaabu Empire (1537–1867), also written Gabu, Ngabou, and N'Gabu, was an empire in the Senegambia region centered within modern northeastern Guinea-Bissau, larger parts of today's Gambia; extending into Koussanar, Koumpentoum, regions ...
, the country of their birth,
they were granted asylum by the Serer nobility[« ]Babacar Sédikh Diouf
Babacar Sedikh Diouf or Babacar Sédikh Diouf ( Serer: Babakar Sidiix Juuf, b. 1928Babacar Sedikh Diouf's body of works: Diouf, Babacar Sedikh, ''O maad a sinig : Kumba Ndoofeen fa Maak JUUF (Buka-Cilaas)'', 1853–1871 (PAPF, 1987) nConsortium ...
» in Ngom, Biram ''La question Gelwaar et l’histoire du Siin'', Dakar, Université de Dakar
Cheikh Anta Diop University (french: Université Cheikh Anta Diop or UCAD), also known as the Cheikh Anta Diop University of Dakar, is a university in Dakar, Senegal. It is named after the Senegalese physicist, historian and anthropologist Cheik ...
(1987), p 69
to which Lingeer Fatim Beye's family were a member of.
The marriages between the upper echelons of Serer and Guelowar society sealed the union between Serer-Guelowar.
In 1350, Maysa Wali was nominated and elected
Maad a Sinig
Maad a Sinig (variations : Mad a Sinig, 'Maad Sine, Maat Sine, Bour Sine, Bur Sine, etc.) means king of Sine. The ancient Kingdom of Sine, now part of Senegal, was a pre-colonial Serer kingdom . Their kings were titled ''Maad'' or ''Maad'' (also ...
(''king of Sine'') by the people of Sine, having served as legal advisor to the nobles that granted him and his family asylum.
He ruled from 1350 to 1370.
The penetration of the Joos matriclan of Sine in the
Wolof
Wolof or Wollof may refer to:
* Wolof people, an ethnic group found in Senegal, Gambia, and Mauritania
* Wolof language, a language spoken in Senegal, Gambia, and Mauritania
* The Wolof or Jolof Empire, a medieval West African successor of the Mal ...
Kingdom of
Waalo
Walo ( wo, Waalo) was a kingdom on the lower Senegal River in West Africa, in what are now Senegal and Mauritania. It included parts of the valley proper and areas north and south, extending to the Atlantic Ocean. To the north were Moorish emira ...
came via Lingeer Ndoye Demba. The Kingdom of Waalo was ruled by the Mbooj paternal family who went by the royal title
Brak (title for the kings of Waalo). As well as this
patrilineal mode of succession, a Brak had to belong to one of the main three royal
matriclans before being eligible to succeed to the throne. These three maternal clans were the reigning maternal dynasties of Waalo and included: the Joos Maternal Dynasty (of Serer origin
), ''Tedyek'' (of
Fula
Fula may refer to:
*Fula people (or Fulani, Fulɓe)
*Fula language (or Pulaar, Fulfulde, Fulani)
**The Fula variety known as the Pulaar language
**The Fula variety known as the Pular language
**The Fula variety known as Maasina Fulfulde
*Al-Fula ...
origin
although other sources suggests a
Mende origin) and ''Loggar'' (of
Moor
Moor or Moors may refer to:
Nature and ecology
* Moorland, a habitat characterized by low-growing vegetation and acidic soils.
Ethnic and religious groups
* Moors, Muslim inhabitants of the Maghreb, Iberian Peninsula, Sicily, and Malta during ...
origin
). In
Wolof
Wolof or Wollof may refer to:
* Wolof people, an ethnic group found in Senegal, Gambia, and Mauritania
* Wolof language, a language spoken in Senegal, Gambia, and Mauritania
* The Wolof or Jolof Empire, a medieval West African successor of the Mal ...
, matriclans are called ''meen'' or ''mène'',
in
Serer, they are called ''tim''.
Succession was
patrilineal
Patrilineality, also known as the male line, the spear side or agnatic kinship, is a common kinship system in which an individual's family membership derives from and is recorded through their father's lineage. It generally involves the inheritanc ...
(''kurcala'' in Serer, meaning paternal inheritance
[Becker, Charles: "Vestiges historiques, trémoins matériels du passé clans les pays sereer", Dakar (1993), CNRS – ORS TO M]
(Retrieved 9 July 2012) or ''simanGol'' meaning paternal lineage) as well as matrilineal (''ƭeen yaay''
or ''den yaay''
[ Marguerite Dupire, Dupire, Marguerite, ''Sagesse sereer: Essais sur la pensée sereer ndut'', KARTHALA Editions (1994) . For ''tim'' and ''den yaay'' (see p. 116). The book also deals in depth about the Serer matriclans and means of succession through the matrilineal line. See also pages 38, 95-99, 104, 119–20, 123, 160, 172–]
(Retrieved 9 July 2012) in Serer).
Lingeer
Lingeer (also: ''Linger'' or Linguère) was the title given to the mother or sister of a king in the Serer kingdoms of Sine, Saloum, and previously the Kingdom of Baol; and the Wolof kingdoms of Cayor, Jolof, Baol and Waalo in pre-colonia ...
Ndoye Demba (princess of Sine) was given in marriage to the king of Waalo (Brak Caaka Mbooj) when he visited the Sine. The
royal wedding
''Royal Wedding'' is a 1951 American musical comedy film directed by Stanley Donen, and starring Fred Astaire and Jane Powell, with music by Burton Lane and lyrics by Alan Jay Lerner. Set in 1947 London at the time of the wedding of Princess ...
took place in Sine, and after the marriage, the princess accompanied her husband to his country (Waalo). The Joos Maternal Dynasty although long established in Sine, and just one of the many
Serer matriclans,
it was the newest addition to the
medieval
In the history of Europe, the Middle Ages or medieval period lasted approximately from the late 5th to the late 15th centuries, similar to the Post-classical, post-classical period of World history (field), global history. It began with t ...
maternal dynasties of Waalo. The other maternal dynasties of Waalo (Tedyek and Loggar) were already established. The mother of Brak Caaka Mbodj was a ''Loggar'' and his first wife (Lingeer Isa Tanor) a ''Tedyek''. Isa Tanor descended from the maternal line of Guet May Beut (the matriarch of the Tedyeks).
For the next six hundred years since its foundation to the dissolution of Waalo in 1855, royal princes from these three maternal dynasties engaged in dynastic civil wars in order to secure their succession to the throne. In the 18th century, the prince Mö Mbôdy Kumba Khedy Mbooj (later – Brak Mö Mbôdy Kumba Khedy Mbooj, reigned c. 1734 – 1735, according to Amadou Wade
[According to Amadou Wade, Mö Mbôdy Kumba Khedy reigned from 1734 to 1735 and was assassinated on the day of his coronation. see « Amadou Wade, "Chronique du Walo", in Barry (1985), p 312]), who was then the head of the Joos Dynasty galvanised the support of his maternal clan and led a
massacre of the other maternal
dynasties
A dynasty is a sequence of rulers from the same family,''Oxford English Dictionary'', "dynasty, ''n''." Oxford University Press (Oxford), 1897. usually in the context of a monarchical system, but sometimes also appearing in republics. A d ...
of Waalo, particularly the Tedyeks, the biggest rivals to the Joos. Many prominent members of the Tedyek clan were killed by the Joos including the reigning king at the time Brak Yerim Ndateh Boubou (Tedyek),
[Variations: Brak Yêrim Ndatè Bubu; also for ''Talaata-i-Ndeer'' see BIFAN 1964: "Institut fondamental d'Afrique noire", Bulletin, Volumes 26-27, IFAN (1964); & Monteil, ''Esquisses sénégalaises'')] as well as his family.
This historical event precipitated the Battle of Nder more commonly referred to as ''Talaata-i-Ndeer'' by the
Senegambian people. The phrase ''"Talaata-i-Ndeer"'' (or ''Talaata i Ndeer'' / Nder) means ''"Tuesday of Ndeer"'', signifying the fact the event took place on a Tuesday at the then capital of Waalo (''Ndeer'' or ''Nder'').
Other sources seems to indicate that, either the Joos family did not cause the Battle of Nder (''Talaata Ñ'Deer'' among some
) or there were two historical battles of Nder (one during the reigns of Brak Yerim Ndateh Boubou and Brak Mö Mbôdy Kumba Khedy
or during the reign of Brak Njaak Kumba Xuri Yaay
). According to some, the battle was caused by the Fulani
Almamy
Almami ( ar, المامي; Also: Almamy, Almaami) was the regnal title of Almamyate of Futa Toro , Tukulor monarchs from the eighteenth century through the first half of the twentieth century. It is derived from the Arabic Al-Imam, meaning "the le ...
of
Futa Toro
Futa Toro (Wolof and ff, Fuuta Tooro ''𞤆𞤵𞥄𞤼𞤢 𞤚𞤮𞥄𞤪𞤮''; ar, فوتا تورو), often simply the Futa, is a semidesert region around the middle run of the Senegal River. This region is along the border of Senegal and ...
who led a surprised attack at Nder after Brak Njaak Kumba Xuri Yaay (the king of Waalo) had left his capital (Nder) on a visit to ''Ndar'' (
St. Louis, in Senegal).
[Université de Dakar. Département de langues et civilisations germaniques, ''Études germano-africaines: revue annuelle du Département de langues et civilisations germaniques de la Faculté des lettres et sciences humaines de l'Université de Dakar (Sénégal)'', Issue 6, Le Département (1988), p 51] However, the general consensus is that, there was only one historical ''"Talaata-i-Ndeer"'' ("The Battle of Nder") – the battle which took place between the Joos and Tedyek family.
[« Dyaw, Yoro» in Barry (1985), pp 184–]
(Retrieved 21 July) This confusion is due to a chronological error in Amadou Wade's ''Chronique du Walo'' where the year of reign for the kings of Waalo (Brak) were listed in error. Another reason for this confusion is that, the original battle instigated by the Joos,
created a civil war which lasted for several years (20 years according to some
or 29 years
) That civil war may have continued right up to the reign of Brak Njaak Kumba Xuri Yaay who reigned long after Brak Yerim Ndateh Boubou and Brak Mö Mbôdy Kumba Khedy. The surprise attack launched in Waalo against Brak Njaak Kumba Xuri Yaay's capital (Nder) by the Almamy of Futa, was just one of many of his
jihad
Jihad (; ar, جهاد, jihād ) is an Arabic word which literally means "striving" or "struggling", especially with a praiseworthy aim. In an Islamic context, it can refer to almost any effort to make personal and social life conform with Go ...
ic expeditions especially in Jolof and Cayor. He was finally defeated by the
Damel Damel was the title of the ruler (or king) of the Wolof kingdom of Cayor in what is now northwest Senegal, West Africa.
The most well-known ''damel'' is probably Lat Dior Diop (1842–1886) who died in battle during the final French drive to capt ...
of
Cayor
Cayor ( wo, Kajoor; ar, كاجور) was the largest and most powerful kingdom (1549–1879) that split off from the Jolof Empire in what is now Senegal. Cayor was located in northern and central Senegal, southeast of Walo, west of the kingdom ...
(Amari Ngoneh Ndela or ''Amari Ngoné Ndella'', reigned 1790–1809).
Following the "Joos Wars" led by their leader Mö Mbôdy Kumba Khedy, the throne of Waalo was secured by the Joos family who spend a long time waging wars to retain it.
However, long after the death of Brak Mö Mbôdy Kumba Khedy, the throne was peacefully handed over to the rightfully elected king (a ''Tedyek'') by the Council of Electors (the ''Sek ak Baor'' or ''Seb ak Baor''
). Although
Brak Mö Mboj Maalik Mboj (a ''Loggar'') was the last Brak of Waalo just before the collapsed of the monarchy in 1855 under Lingeer Ndateh Yalla Mbooj (a ''Tedyek'') and her husband Morosso Tasse Jobe (prince of
Cayor
Cayor ( wo, Kajoor; ar, كاجور) was the largest and most powerful kingdom (1549–1879) that split off from the Jolof Empire in what is now Senegal. Cayor was located in northern and central Senegal, southeast of Walo, west of the kingdom ...
), the political scene of Waalo was dominated by the Joos and Tedyek Dynasty for nearly 600 years. The greatest threat to the Joos were the Tedyeks, who provided more kings of Waalo.
[Ogot, Bethwell A., ''Africa from the Sixteenth to the Eighteenth Century'', (Editors: Bethwell A. Ogot, ]Unesco
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations (UN) aimed at promoting world peace and security through international cooperation in education, arts, sciences and culture. It ...
. International Scientific Committee for the Drafting of a General History of Africa
The history of Africa begins with the emergence of hominids, archaic humans and — around 300–250,000 years ago—anatomically modern humans (''Homo sapiens''), in East Africa, and continues unbroken into the present as a patchwork of d ...
; contributors: Bethwell A. Ogot, Unesco. International Scientific Committee for the Drafting of a General History of Africa, University of California Press
The University of California Press, otherwise known as UC Press, is a publishing house associated with the University of California that engages in academic publishing. It was founded in 1893 to publish scholarly and scientific works by faculty ...
(1992), p 281,
The "Joos"
(Retrieved 11 July 2012) The Loggars were prominent during early part of the Mbooj paternal dynasty, but lost their dominance later on. In the 18th century, they tried to allied themselves with the Joos in order to gain power and succeed to the throne. The Joos – Loggar alliances dominated the political scene of Waalo in this period. It also exacerbated the political situation of the country and the civil war. In this period where every maternal family tried to advance their own cause, alliances were formed and broken (see list of kings below, "Brak Yerim Kode Fara Mbune").
The powers of these maternal dynasties were very real.
They were able to raise an army as in the Battle of Nder; had the financial capacity and backing to ensure the
accession of their clan members. The enthroned
Lingeer
Lingeer (also: ''Linger'' or Linguère) was the title given to the mother or sister of a king in the Serer kingdoms of Sine, Saloum, and previously the Kingdom of Baol; and the Wolof kingdoms of Cayor, Jolof, Baol and Waalo in pre-colonia ...
- Njombot Mbooj, the full blood sister of Ndateh Yalla and daughter of Brak Amar Fatim Borso Mbooj (a ''Joos''), is reported to have bribed a prominent member of the Council of Electors by the name of Jawdin Sharlu (var. Dyawdin Sharlu
[Institut fondamental d'Afrique noire, ''Bulletin de l'Institut fondamental d'Afrique noire: Sciences humaines'', Volume 31, IFAN (1969), pp 409–410 ][Barry, Boubacar, ''Le royaume du waalo, le Sénégal avant la conquête'', F. Maspéro (1972), p 286 ]) with a total sum of 1500
French Franc
The franc (, ; sign: F or Fr), also commonly distinguished as the (FF), was a currency of France. Between 1360 and 1641, it was the name of coins worth 1 livre tournois and it remained in common parlance as a term for this amount of money. It w ...
s and gold just to secure the election of her preferred candidate.
This
bribery
Bribery is the Offer and acceptance, offering, Gift, giving, Offer and acceptance, receiving, or Solicitation, soliciting of any item of value to influence the actions of an official, or other person, in charge of a public or legal duty. With reg ...
, is reported to have been carried out in the three days she had her randevu with the Council member (500 French Francs a day including gold).
Njombot Mbooj (born 1800,
died September 1846) and her younger sister (Ndateh Yalla) were two of the most powerful women in Senegambia in the first half of the 19th century.
[Sheldon, Kathleen E., ''Historical dictionary of women in ]Sub-Saharan Africa
Sub-Saharan Africa is, geographically, the area and regions of the continent of Africa that lies south of the Sahara. These include West Africa, East Africa, Central Africa, and Southern Africa. Geopolitically, in addition to the List of sov ...
'', vol. 1, Scarecrow Press
Rowman & Littlefield Publishing Group is an independent publishing house founded in 1949. Under several imprints, the company offers scholarly books for the academic market, as well as trade books. The company also owns the book distributing compa ...
(2005), p 148 They were preceded by Lingeer Yassin (early 19th century) and Lingeer Mbarika Mbooj (17th century), two of the most powerful and influential women of Senegambian dynastic history. Both were from the Joos matriclan. Lingeer Mbarika Mbooj (var. ''Mborika'' or ''Mbarika Mbodje''
) was the mother of Brak Yerim Kode Ngone, the head of the 17 princes of Joos.
Although the
Jolof Empire Jolof (french: Djolof or ') may refer to either of
* Jolof Empire, a West African successor state to the Mali Empire in modern Senegal from the 14th to 16th centuries
* Kingdom of Jolof, a rump survival of the earlier empire from the 16th to the 19t ...
collapsed in 1549 following the Battle of Danki, some kings of Jolof (''Bourba'') tried to rejuvenate the old Empire. As a council member of her son's court, Brak Yerim Kode Ngone spent many years of his reign trying to repulse the Jolof advance and liberate Waalo from the yoke of Jolof. He is reported to have died fighting his last war with Jolof. He is one of the most revered kings of Waalo for his part in achieving Waalo's independence, free from Jolof control. Waalo was totally liberated from the influence of Jolof few years after his death.
List of kings
The following is a list of some of the
Braks of Waalo who partains to the Joos Maternal Dynasty. Their
surname
In some cultures, a surname, family name, or last name is the portion of one's personal name that indicates one's family, tribe or community.
Practices vary by culture. The family name may be placed at either the start of a person's full name ...
is Mbooj :
*
Brak Yerim Mbanyik Ndoye Demba Mbooj (var. ''Yérim Mbanyik Ndoy Demba''), most probably reigned from to 1410
[Barry (1985) p 32]
(Retrieved 21 July 2012) (or 1445–1457 according to some
). Son of Lingeer Ndoye Demba and Brak Caaka Mbaar. When the Jaw and Gaye family tried to launch a war against him to have him dethroned, he defeated them with his army and forced them to seek refuge in
Tekrur
Takrur, Tekrur or Tekrour ( 800 – c. 1285) was an ancient state of West Africa, which flourished roughly parallel to the Ghana Empire.
Origin
Takrur was the capital of the state which flourished on the lower Senegal River. Takruri was a ...
now
Futa Toro
Futa Toro (Wolof and ff, Fuuta Tooro ''𞤆𞤵𞥄𞤼𞤢 𞤚𞤮𞥄𞤪𞤮''; ar, فوتا تورو), often simply the Futa, is a semidesert region around the middle run of the Senegal River. This region is along the border of Senegal and ...
in
Senegal
Senegal,; Wolof: ''Senegaal''; Pulaar: 𞤅𞤫𞤲𞤫𞤺𞤢𞥄𞤤𞤭 (Senegaali); Arabic: السنغال ''As-Sinighal'') officially the Republic of Senegal,; Wolof: ''Réewum Senegaal''; Pulaar : 𞤈𞤫𞤲𞤣𞤢𞥄𞤲𞤣𞤭 ...
.
*Brak Kiou Kouli (var. Kioukouli
)
*Brak Mayor Aissa
*Brak Fara Koy Jon (var. ''Fara Koy Dyon'' or ''Fara Kodiègue''),
[Barry (1985) pp 312–30] reigned c. 1676 – 1679
*Brak Fara Koy Jobe (var. Fara Koy Dyôp or ''Fara Kouri Kodiop'')
*Brak Fara Ko Ndaama (var. Fara Ko Ndama),
reigned c. 1670 – 1683
*Brak Naatago Khari Daaro (var. Natagou Khary Daro)
*Brak Yerim Kode Ngone Mbooj (var. ''Yerim Kode N'Dyureane''
[« Gaden, Henry, 1912, p 6 » nBarry (1985), p 50]), reigned c. 1673 – 1676?.
Reported to have died in battle fighting
Jolof. He was the head of the 17 princes of Joos and one of the most revered Braks of Waalo.
*Brak Fara Kumba, reigned c. 1665 – 1673 (first), c. 1664 – 1676 (second).
According to some, he died in 1676 during the
Marabout
A marabout ( ar, مُرابِط, murābiṭ, lit=one who is attached/garrisoned) is a Muslim religious leader and teacher who historically had the function of a chaplain serving as a part of an Islamic army, notably in North Africa and the Saha ...
wars launched against him (the
jihad
Jihad (; ar, جهاد, jihād ) is an Arabic word which literally means "striving" or "struggling", especially with a praiseworthy aim. In an Islamic context, it can refer to almost any effort to make personal and social life conform with Go ...
s of
Senegambia
The Senegambia (other names: Senegambia region or Senegambian zone,Barry, Boubacar, ''Senegambia and the Atlantic Slave Trade'', (Editors: David Anderson, Carolyn Brown; trans. Ayi Kwei Armah; contributors: David Anderson, American Council of Le ...
launched by the Muslims).
*Brak Mö Mbôdy Kumba Khedy Mbooj, reigned c. 1734 – 1735.
One of the best known Braks of Waalo, although for the wrong reasons. Instigated and led the Joos at the Battle of Nder. The Joos were victorious. After the killing of the reigning Brak – Yerim Ndateh Boubou (Tedyek), Brak Mö Mbôdy Kumba Khedy entered the residence of his own paternal aunt – Lingeer Condama (var. ''Kô Ndama'', a Tedyek) and assassinated her. Lingeer Condama was accused of favouring her own maternal nephew (Brak Yerim Ndateh Bubou) against her paternal nephew (Brak Mö Mbôdy Kumba Khedy), and engaging in the political affairs of Waalo which were detrimental to the Joos cause.
According to Amadou Wade, he was assassinated on the day of his coronation.
It is advanced that, a professional assassine from Trazar, by the name of Solomono was hired to carry out the mission.
*Brak Yerim Kode Fara Mbune Mbooj (var. ''Yérim Kodé Mbunè'' or ''Yérim Kodé Fara Mbouma''
), He came to power having allied himself with his matriclan (the Joos) and the Loggars, especially Ndyak Xuri (var. Njaak Xuri). His predecessor Yerim Mbanyik Anta (Tedyek) was killed along with several Tedyek princes. His Loggar ally (Ndyak Xuri) was hoping to succeed to the throne after the demise of the Tedyek, however, he didn't succeed to the throne. After their victory, Yerim Kode Fara Mbune succeeded to the throne and his Loggar ally was exiled to Jolof. About two years after his reign (according to some), Ndyak Xuri, leading the Loggar clan, formed an alliance with the
Lamtoro of Futa Toro and the Emir of Trazar in order to dethrone Yerim Kode Fara Mbune. At the Battle of Mbuden, Yerim Kode Fara was killed along with many members of the Joos family.
[Barry, (1985), pp 185–6]
*Brak Maboje Kumba (var. Mabodje Coumba
) reigned 6 November 1775 – 5 May 1776.
His reigne coincided with the battles involving the Joos and Loggar, the intervention of governor O'Hara in Waalo's civil war and Moorish interference in the country's politics.
*Brak Saayodo Yaasin Mbôdy Mbooj
(var. ''Saayodo Yassin Modi'' or ''Sayodo Yacine Mbodje''
), reigned c. 1801 – 1806
[Zaghi, Carlo, "L'Africa nella coscienza europea e l'imperialismo italiano", Guida (1973), p 288] or 1805–1810
[Barr, (1985), pp 320–28]
*Brak Amar Fatim Borso Mbooj (var. ''Amar Faatim Borsô'' or ''Amar Faty Mborso''
), reigned 1812–1823,
(probably reigned up to 1825 or 1826, because he is reported to have died in January 1826
[Barry, (1972), p 261]). Known for his
anti-Islamic views. He is cited to have said a Brak should never convert to Islam. That was after the
Almamy
Almami ( ar, المامي; Also: Almamy, Almaami) was the regnal title of Almamyate of Futa Toro , Tukulor monarchs from the eighteenth century through the first half of the twentieth century. It is derived from the Arabic Al-Imam, meaning "the le ...
of Futa Toro (Almamy Biran) launched his jihad in his country among other Senegambian states such as Jolof and Cayor, and converted the king of Jolof as well as Brak Fara Penda Tigereleh (a Tedyek and predecessor of Brak Amar Fatim Borso). The Joos, led by Amar Fatim and other clan members, regarded Fara Penda as too weak for converting through fear, rather than standing up to the Almany. Although Fara Penda stated his conversion was sincere, he was not believed. Amar Fatim is also the father of Lingeer Ndateh Yalla and Njombout (both Tedyeks, their mother Lingeer Awo Fatim Yamar Khuri Yaye Mbooj).
*Kharfi Khari Daaro (var. Khirfi Khary Daro), reigned 1837–1840
List of queens
This list gives some of the prominent queens or queen mothers who belong to this maternal dynasty. They go by the royal title
Lingeer
Lingeer (also: ''Linger'' or Linguère) was the title given to the mother or sister of a king in the Serer kingdoms of Sine, Saloum, and previously the Kingdom of Baol; and the Wolof kingdoms of Cayor, Jolof, Baol and Waalo in pre-colonia ...
(var. ''linger''
) :
*
Lingeer Fatim Beye
Lingeer Fatim Beye Joos FadiouMany variations : ''Fatimata Beye'' (see BIFAN, 1979, pp 225, 233), ''Fatim/Fatimata Beye'' (see BIFAN, 1979, p 234), ''Fatime Bey'' (BIFAN, 1979, p 234), etc. The Serer surname ''Beye'' or ''Bèye'', following i ...
– matriarch of the Joos c. 1335
*
Lingeer Ndoye Demba
Linguere Ndoye Demba Joos Fadiou, also known as Ndoye Demba in Senegambian dynastic history, was a Serer princess from the Kingdom of Sine (now part of present-day Senegal), from the later half of the 14th century to the 15th century. The roya ...
, founder of the Joos dynasty in Waalo, c. 1367
*Lingeer Mbarika Mbooj (var. ''Mborika'' or ''Mbarika Mbodje''
) – mother of Brak Yerim Kode Ngone, the head of the 17 princes of Joos.
*Lingeer Yassin (var. Yacine Mboj) – mother of Brak Saayodo Yassin Modi Mbooj and wife of prince Jabou Jouba Ali Mbooj (var. Diabou Douba Ali)
See also
*
The Royal House of Boureh Gnilane Joof
*
The Royal House of Jogo Siga Joof
The Royal House of Jogo Siga Joof ( Serer : Mbin Jogo Siga Juuf or Mbind Jogo Siga, other variation : ''Keur Diogo Siga'', etc.) was the second royal house founded by the Joof family during the Guelowar dynastic period of Sine. Diouf, Niokhob ...
*
The Royal House of Semou Njekeh Joof
The Royal House of Semou Njekeh Joof ( Serer : Mbind Sem-Jike,Buschinger, Danielle (ed & trans: Kloos, Jan Willem), ''Van den vos Reynaerde: mittelniederländisch – neuhochdeutsch'', Presses du Centre d'Etudes médiévales Université de Picar ...
References
Bibliography
*
Sarr, Alioune, "
Histoire du Sine-Saloum" (Sénégal). Introduction, bibliographie et notes par Charles Becker. Version légèrement remaniée par rapport à celle qui est parue en 1986–87. p 19
*Becker, Charles, "Vestiges historiques, trémoins matériels du passé clans les pays sereer", Dakar (1993), CNRS – ORS TO M.
(Retrieved 9 July 2012)
*
Henry Gravrand, Gravrand, Henry. ''"La civilisation sereer",'' vol. I, Cosaan: les origines. Nouvelles éditions africaines,
Dakar
Dakar ( ; ; wo, Ndakaaru) (from daqaar ''tamarind''), is the capital and largest city of Senegal. The city of Dakar proper has a population of 1,030,594, whereas the population of the Dakar metropolitan area is estimated at 3.94 million in 2 ...
, 1983
*
Monteil, Vincent, " Esquisses sénégalaises",
Institut Fondamental d'Afrique Noire
IFAN (I.F.A.N., Institut fondamental d'Afrique noire or Fundamental Institute of Black Africa
Sub-Saharan Africa is, geographically, the area and regions of the continent of Africa that lies south of the Sahara. These include West Africa, ...
, 1966.
*Wade, Amadou, ''"Chronique du Walo Sénégalais (1186–1855)"'', B. Cissé trans., V. Monteil, editor, Bulletin de l'IFAN, série B, vol. 26, nos 3/4 (1941, 1964)
*
Barry, Boubacar. ''"Le royaume du
Waalo
Walo ( wo, Waalo) was a kingdom on the lower Senegal River in West Africa, in what are now Senegal and Mauritania. It included parts of the valley proper and areas north and south, extending to the Atlantic Ocean. To the north were Moorish emira ...
":'' le
Sénégal
Senegal,; Wolof: ''Senegaal''; Pulaar: 𞤅𞤫𞤲𞤫𞤺𞤢𞥄𞤤𞤭 (Senegaali); Arabic: السنغال ''As-Sinighal'') officially the Republic of Senegal,; Wolof: ''Réewum Senegaal''; Pulaar : 𞤈𞤫𞤲𞤣𞤢𞥄𞤲𞤣𞤭 ...
avant la conquête, Karthala, 1985,
The "Dyoos"(Retrieved 8 July 2012)
*Barry, Boubacar, "Le royaume du waalo, le Sénégal avant la conquête", F. Maspéro (1972), pp 261 & 286
*Abbey, M.T. Rosalie Akouele. ''"Customary Law and Slavery in Africa"'', Trafford Publishing, (2011),
*Bulletin. Serie B: Sciences humaines /
Institut fondamental d'Afrique noire
IFAN (I.F.A.N., Institut fondamental d'Afrique noire or Fundamental Institute of Black Africa
Sub-Saharan Africa is, geographically, the area and regions of the continent of Africa that lies south of the Sahara. These include West Africa, ...
, Volume 41. (1979)
*Institut français d'Afrique noire. Bulletin de l'Institut français d'Afrique noire: Sciences humaines, Volume 17. IFAN, (1955)
*Ndiaye Leyti, Oumar, ''"Le Djoloff et ses Bourba"'', Les Nouvelles editions africaines (1981).
*Institut fondamental d'Afrique noire, Bulletin de l'Institut fondamental d'Afrique noire: Sciences humaines, Volume 31, IFAN (1969), pp 409–410
*Ogot, Bethwell A., "Africa from the Sixteenth to the Eighteenth Century", (Editors: Bethwell A. Ogot,
Unesco
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations (UN) aimed at promoting world peace and security through international cooperation in education, arts, sciences and culture. It ...
. International Scientific Committee for the Drafting of a General
History of Africa
The history of Africa begins with the emergence of hominids, archaic humans and — around 300–250,000 years ago—anatomically modern humans (''Homo sapiens''), in East Africa, and continues unbroken into the present as a patchwork of d ...
; contributors: Bethwell A. Ogot, Unesco. International Scientific Committee for the Drafting of a General History of Africa,
University of California Press
The University of California Press, otherwise known as UC Press, is a publishing house associated with the University of California that engages in academic publishing. It was founded in 1893 to publish scholarly and scientific works by faculty ...
(1992), p 281,
The "Joos"(Retrieved 11 July 2012)
*
Gastellu, Jean-Marc, "Petit traité de matrilinarité", L'accumulation dans deux sociétés rurales d'Afrique de l'Ouest', Cahiers ORSTOM, série Sciences Humaines (1985)
*Gastellu, Jean-Marc, "Matrilineages, Economic Groups and Differentiation in West Africa": A Note (O.R.S.TO.M)
*Sonko-Godwin, Patience, "Ethnic groups of the Senegambia: a brief history", Sunrise Publishers (1988), p. 29–31
*Kalis, Simone, "Médecine traditionnelle religion et divination chez les Seereer Sine du Senegal", La connaissance de la nuit, L'Harmattan (1997), p 299,
*Boulègue, Jean, "Le Grand Jolof", (XVIII
e – XVI
e siècle). (Paris, Edition Façades), Karthala (1987), p 30
*Dyao, Yoro, "Légendes et coutumes sénégalaises", Cahiers de Yoro Dyao: publiés et commentés par Henri Gaden. (E. Leroux, 1912)
*
Marguerite Dupire, Dupire, Marguerite, "Sagesse sereer: Essais sur la pensée
sereer ndut, KARTHALA Editions (1994),
(Retrieved 9 July 2012)
*Sheldon, Kathleen E., "Historical dictionary of women in
Sub-Saharan Africa
Sub-Saharan Africa is, geographically, the area and regions of the continent of Africa that lies south of the Sahara. These include West Africa, East Africa, Central Africa, and Southern Africa. Geopolitically, in addition to the List of sov ...
", vol. 1,
Scarecrow Press
Rowman & Littlefield Publishing Group is an independent publishing house founded in 1949. Under several imprints, the company offers scholarly books for the academic market, as well as trade books. The company also owns the book distributing compa ...
(2005), p 148
*« Amadou Wade, "Chronique", commenté par Vincent Monteil, 1966 »
nSall, Ibrahima Abou, "Mauritanie du Sud: conquêtes et administration coloniales françaises, 1890–1945", KARTHALA Editions (2007), p 49, note 20.
"Logar", "Joos" and "Teejëk"*Université de Dakar. Département de langues et civilisations germaniques, "Études germano-africaines: revue annuelle du Département de langues et civilisations germaniques de la Faculté des lettres et sciences humaines de l'Université de Dakar (Sénégal)., Issue 6", Le Département (1988), p 51
*
John D. Fage, Fage, John, D., &
Oliver, Roland, "The Cambridge history of Africa: From c. 1600 to c. 1790", p 486,
*Zaghi, Carlo, "L'Africa nella coscienza europea e l'imperialismo italiano", Guida (1973), p 288
{{Serer topics, state=collapsed
Serer royalty
Serer families
Lingeer
History of Senegal
History of the Gambia
Matriarchy
Serer matriarchs
History of Mauritania