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| HISTORY
OF CASAMANCE |
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In 1645 the Portuguese
Gonçalo Gamboa Ayala established a
trading post at Ziguinchor
; warlike ethnic groups quickly took advantage
of the chance to trade
in slaves, which activity was greatly
aided by the river's navigability.
It was because of this activity that the Diola
were driven downstream by the Mandingo.
In 1838 the French started their own market-place
at Sedhiou, exploring first the opportunities
in groundnuts and then rubber.
On the thirteenth of May 1838 France, already
established at Karabane
(1836) and at Sedhiou, took over Ziguinchor
from Portugal. Further, on the tenth of August
1889, Great Britain ceded its rights to the
Casamance.
The resistance of warlike ethnic groups to
to this French presence meant that the colonial
administration had to exercise great care,
particularly in the area to the east of Ziguinchor.
The Diola
people, already harassed themselves, were
not disposed, or able, to give the French
any help.
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Although not giving their support to such
men as Fodé Sylla, Ibrahima Njaay or
Fodé Kaba, the Diola
in 1857 rose up against the French presence
themselves and attacked Karabane
in 1858, where Captain Protet (son of the
admiral) was killed by a poisoned arrow.
Protet, whose tomb is still recognisable in
the Karabane
cemetery, was buried standing up.
Harassing actions against the colonists continued
up until 1914 ans was never completely wiped
out - (despite the imprisonment of the king
of Mlomp
in 1942 and the deportation of servant Alintsouë
to Tumbuctu). |
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