Diabe Cissé is the legendary founder and first ruler associated with Wagadu in the Legend of Wagadu. A younger son of Dinga, he deceived his father during a succession dispute with his elder brother Khiné and received chiefly power. After fleeing into the wilderness, he gained the allegiance of four cavalry commanders and established the settlement of Kumbi Saleh. His descendants formed the ruling Cissé clan of Wagadu.
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The Story
Diabe Cissé appears in the Legend of Wagadu as a younger son of the ancestor Dinga. When Dinga grew old and blind, he intended to transfer chiefly authority to his eldest son, Khiné. Diabe Cissé disguised himself as his older brother and deceived his father into granting him the chiefly powers, setting off a conflict over succession.
After Dinga’s death, Diabe Cissé fled from the anger of Khiné and sought refuge in the wilderness. A mysterious drum then appeared, and four troops of cavalry emerged from the four corners of the wilderness. Their commanders recognized Diabe Cissé as their leader and later became provincial chiefs or governors after the kingdom was founded.
Diabe Cissé eventually reached the site of Kumbi Saleh, where he entered into a pact with the guardian serpent Bida. The new kingdom was called Wagadu, and Diabe Cissé’s descendants ruled under the title of maghan. The Cissé became the ruling clan, while the descendants of the four commanders formed other aristocratic clans of Soninke society.
Diabe Cissé is the legendary founder and first ruler associated with Wagadu in the Legend of Wagadu. A younger son of Dinga, he deceived his father during a succession dispute with his elder brother Khiné and received chiefly power. After fleeing into the wilderness, he gained the allegiance of four cavalry commanders and established the settlement of Kumbi Saleh. His descendants formed the ruling Cissé clan of Wagadu.
Continue exploring
The Story
Diabe Cissé appears in the Legend of Wagadu as a younger son of the ancestor Dinga. When Dinga grew old and blind, he intended to transfer chiefly authority to his eldest son, Khiné. Diabe Cissé disguised himself as his older brother and deceived his father into granting him the chiefly powers, setting off a conflict over succession.
After Dinga’s death, Diabe Cissé fled from the anger of Khiné and sought refuge in the wilderness. A mysterious drum then appeared, and four troops of cavalry emerged from the four corners of the wilderness. Their commanders recognized Diabe Cissé as their leader and later became provincial chiefs or governors after the kingdom was founded.
Diabe Cissé eventually reached the site of Kumbi Saleh, where he entered into a pact with the guardian serpent Bida. The new kingdom was called Wagadu, and Diabe Cissé’s descendants ruled under the title of maghan. The Cissé became the ruling clan, while the descendants of the four commanders formed other aristocratic clans of Soninke society.
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