19th century – 19th century
Bari country and the Upper Nile
Bari resistance to trading missions formed an early southern Sudanese challenge to foreign commercial and imperial expansion. In 1854, Bari forces attacked a French mission and later fought a larger expedition led by the Sardinian vice-consul Vaudeny. Bari opposition continued against collaborators and traders, while the Lokoya joined related resistance farther east. The episode illustrates the refusal of local communities to accept foreign trading and military intrusion.
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The Story
The Bari were among the first peoples of the southern Sudan to exploit an opportunity to strike at foreign intruders. In 1854, they attacked a French trading mission, killing two members and wounding several others. Soon afterward, approximately 5,000 Bari fought another trading mission led by Vaudeny, the Sardinian vice-consul. Vaudeny, his Turkish deputy, and many of his men were killed in the battle.
Bari resistance also targeted local chiefs who appeared willing to cooperate with the intruders. Chief Nyagilo saw his authority undermined and his property destroyed before fleeing to Gondokoro. Groups of Bari armed youth pursued and killed him there in 1859. The episode reveals that resistance was directed not only against foreign traders but also against local political collaboration with them.
The pressure of trading and military activity pushed the traders eastward into Lokoya territory. In 1860, after an assault on five foreigners, the traders dispatched 150 soldiers against the Lokoya. The Lokoya killed 120 of the soldiers and wounded many others, extending the pattern of armed opposition beyond Bari country.
19th century – 19th century
Bari country and the Upper Nile
Bari resistance to trading missions formed an early southern Sudanese challenge to foreign commercial and imperial expansion. In 1854, Bari forces attacked a French mission and later fought a larger expedition led by the Sardinian vice-consul Vaudeny. Bari opposition continued against collaborators and traders, while the Lokoya joined related resistance farther east. The episode illustrates the refusal of local communities to accept foreign trading and military intrusion.
Continue exploring
The Story
The Bari were among the first peoples of the southern Sudan to exploit an opportunity to strike at foreign intruders. In 1854, they attacked a French trading mission, killing two members and wounding several others. Soon afterward, approximately 5,000 Bari fought another trading mission led by Vaudeny, the Sardinian vice-consul. Vaudeny, his Turkish deputy, and many of his men were killed in the battle.
Bari resistance also targeted local chiefs who appeared willing to cooperate with the intruders. Chief Nyagilo saw his authority undermined and his property destroyed before fleeing to Gondokoro. Groups of Bari armed youth pursued and killed him there in 1859. The episode reveals that resistance was directed not only against foreign traders but also against local political collaboration with them.
The pressure of trading and military activity pushed the traders eastward into Lokoya territory. In 1860, after an assault on five foreigners, the traders dispatched 150 soldiers against the Lokoya. The Lokoya killed 120 of the soldiers and wounded many others, extending the pattern of armed opposition beyond Bari country.
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