17th century – 18th century
Futa Jallon, Guinea coast, and Sierra Leone
Fulbe expansion from Futa Jallon shaped population movements along the Guinea and Sierra Leone coast during the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. A holy war and the extension of Islam displaced Tyapi, Soso, and Dyallonke communities toward the coast, while Fulbe and allied Manden forces sought to convert or subjugate coastal peoples. The movement culminated in political and religious pressure across the coastal river societies, including resistance to the authority claimed by the almamy of Futa Jallon.
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The Story
Population movements from Futa Jallon formed part of a wider transformation involving Atlantic trade and the expansion of Islam. In the first third of the eighteenth century, the Fulbe holy war drove groups of the Tyapi toward the coast of what is now Guinea. These communities rejected the authority of the new religion and, after losing several battles, left Futa Jallon for coastal areas.
The same upheaval displaced Soso and Dyallonke communities. The Soso moved slowly toward a coast already occupied by Nalu and Baga, while Dyallonke relatives expelled from the mountains joined them. In 1760, under the leadership of Souba Toumane, the Soso invaded the Baga and established the chieftaincy of Toumania near the Kaloum Peninsula.
By the end of the eighteenth century, Soso and Dyallonke forces dominated the coast between the Rio Pongo and Sierra Leone. Fulbe and Manden forces also converted or subjugated Soso, Baga, Bullom, and Temne communities, established Muslim Manden chieftaincies, and extended their representation along the coast from Matacong Island to the Saint Paul River. Resistance nevertheless continued among Soso and West Atlantic peoples when the almamy of Futa Jallon attempted to impose authority over the wider region.
17th century – 18th century
Futa Jallon, Guinea coast, and Sierra Leone
Fulbe expansion from Futa Jallon shaped population movements along the Guinea and Sierra Leone coast during the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. A holy war and the extension of Islam displaced Tyapi, Soso, and Dyallonke communities toward the coast, while Fulbe and allied Manden forces sought to convert or subjugate coastal peoples. The movement culminated in political and religious pressure across the coastal river societies, including resistance to the authority claimed by the almamy of Futa Jallon.
Continue exploring
The Story
Population movements from Futa Jallon formed part of a wider transformation involving Atlantic trade and the expansion of Islam. In the first third of the eighteenth century, the Fulbe holy war drove groups of the Tyapi toward the coast of what is now Guinea. These communities rejected the authority of the new religion and, after losing several battles, left Futa Jallon for coastal areas.
The same upheaval displaced Soso and Dyallonke communities. The Soso moved slowly toward a coast already occupied by Nalu and Baga, while Dyallonke relatives expelled from the mountains joined them. In 1760, under the leadership of Souba Toumane, the Soso invaded the Baga and established the chieftaincy of Toumania near the Kaloum Peninsula.
By the end of the eighteenth century, Soso and Dyallonke forces dominated the coast between the Rio Pongo and Sierra Leone. Fulbe and Manden forces also converted or subjugated Soso, Baga, Bullom, and Temne communities, established Muslim Manden chieftaincies, and extended their representation along the coast from Matacong Island to the Saint Paul River. Resistance nevertheless continued among Soso and West Atlantic peoples when the almamy of Futa Jallon attempted to impose authority over the wider region.
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