Bokar Biro
Bokar Biro Barry | |
|---|---|
| Died | 13 November 1896 |
| Nationality | Fulbe |
| Occupation | Politician |
| Known for | Last Almami of the Imamate of Futa Jallon |
Bokar Biro Barry (or Boubacar Biro) (died 13 November 1896) was the last independent ruler of the Imamate of Futa Jallon in what is now Guinea. He died in the Battle of Porédaka, when his forces were destroyed by French artillery.
Almami of Futa Jallon
Futa Jallon was one of the last independent states in Senegambia. Bokar Biro Barry was a military strongman there at a time when the French were becoming increasingly impatient with the theocratic state's hostility. Internally, Bokar Biro had to cope with struggles between the Alfaya and Soriya political factions, and attempts by the rulers of the Labé, Timbi and Fugumba provinces to obtain more autonomy. Also, both slaves and ordinary free people were leaving the country for the less oppressive French-controlled zones.
In 1890, the long reign of the Almami Ibrahima Sori Dongolfella ended with his death, triggering a power struggle.[1] The Council of Elders selected Bokar Biro's elder brother as ruler. Bokar Biro took power in a coup after assassinating his brother, and began placing men loyal to him in positions of authority. He faced opposition from members of the aristocracy, and in July 1892 was forced to cede power to Amadu of the Alfaya faction. He assumed power once again in June 1894. Some of the chiefs asked for French help to overthrow him. The Alfa Yaya of Labé began maneouvering for full independence of his province. On 13 December 1895 the disgruntled chiefs ambushed and defeated Bokar Biro in the Ballte of Bantignel.[2] Bokar Biro escaped and managed to assemble a new army of 1,500 soldiers with which he defeated his enemies of 2 February 1896. The main chiefs went into hiding.[3]
French intervention
The French had been monitoring events, On 18 March 1896 De Deckman arrived at Timbo, the Futa Jallon capital, with a detachment of troops. The French demanded the right to build roads through Fute Jallon, to instal a representative in Timbo, to vet all appointments of provincial chiefs and a trade monopoly. Bokar Biro resisted, but eventually pretended to sign a treaty in order to get the French out of the way while he dealt with his opponents.[3] When the treaty document was examined in Saint Louis, it turned out that in place of his signature Bokar Biro had written "Bismillah", meaning "in the name of God".[4] Once it was clear that Bokar Biro did not intend to yield to French demands, they decided to resort to armed force if neccessary once the rainy season had passed. The French troops temporarily withdrew to Sangoya.[3]
Bokar Biro treated the French withdrawal as a victory. He initiated an aggressively anti-French policy. When his term as Almami came to an end in April 1896 he said that he would not leave office. The power struggle escalated, with violent incidents, coming close to outright civil war, with calls for assistance reaching the French in September and October. The French decided the time had come to make their move, breaking up Futa Jallon into smaller client states, with their ally Umaru Bademba as Almami of what remained of the Timbo-based state.[5]
Death
Troops were dispatched from Senegal, Guinea and the Sudan, converging on Futa Jallon. A French column captured Timbo on 3 November 1896. Bokar Biro was unable to enlist the support of the chiefs in resisting the French. On 13 November 1896 Bokar Biro fought a pitched battle on the plain of Porédaka. The French artillery destroyed his army. A poet who described the battle said that Bokar Biro kept his word. He did not flee from the French, but was killed by the blast of the cannon.[6] Bokar Biro's son died with him.[7]
References
Citations
- ^ Barry 1998, p. 289.
- ^ Barry 1998, p. 290.
- ^ a b c Barry 1998, p. 291.
- ^ Klein 1998, p. 148.
- ^ Barry 1998, p. 292.
- ^ Barry 1998, p. 293.
- ^ Derman & Derman 1973, p. 44.
Sources
- Barry, Boubacar (1998). Senegambia and the Atlantic Slave Trade. Cambridge University Press. ISBN 978-0-521-59760-9. Retrieved 2013-02-17.
{{cite book}}: Invalid|ref=harv(help) - Derman, William; Derman, Louise (1973). Serfs, Peasants, and Socialists: A Former Serf Village in the Republic of Guinea. University of California Press. p. 44. ISBN 978-0-520-01728-3. Retrieved 2013-02-18.
{{cite book}}: Invalid|ref=harv(help) - Klein, Martin A. (1998-07-28). Slavery and Colonial Rule in French West Africa. Cambridge University Press. ISBN 978-0-521-59678-7. Retrieved 2013-02-17.
{{cite book}}: Invalid|ref=harv(help)