Well, Samori Touré was born in 1830 in
Manyambaladugu (some texts mention
Sanankoro instead), a village southeast of
Kankan in present-day Guinea. Samori was a great warrior who fought imperialism in the 19th century such as many leaders today. He refused to submit to French colonization and thus chose the path of confrontation using warfare and diplomacy.
Until the age of 20, Samori was a trader. After his mother was captured in a slave raid by the king Sori Birama, he offered to serve in his army and excelled by his military prowess and skills.
Samori Touré had a vision of unity for the Malinké people, and thus started organizing his empire using traditional and innovative methods. He effectively organized Malinké chiefdoms into a single state under his authority, at the core of which was the army. He managed to increase loyalty to the state in the Malinké people who now thought as one united people… this intensified their allegiance to him. His state was well-organized and efficient. Samori’s army was powerful, disciplined, professional, and trained in modern day warfare. They were equipped with European guns. The army was divided into two flanks, the infantry or
sofa, with 30,000 to 35,000 men, and the cavalry or
sere of 3,000 men. Each wind was further subdivided into permanent units, fostering camaraderie among members and loyalty to both the local leaders and Samori himself. Talk about African organization and discipline… this was really a strong army! His empire reached his apogee between 1883 and 1887, and he took the title of
Almami or religious leader of a Muslim empire.Samori Touré created the Mandinka empire (the
Wassoulouempire) between 1852 and 1882. His empire extended to the east as far as
Sikasso (present-day Mali), to the west up to the
Fouta Djallon empire (middle of modern day Guinea), to the north from
Kankan to
Bamako (in Mali); to the south, down to the borders of present-day Sierra Leone, Liberia, and Cote d’Ivoire. His capital was
Bisandugu, in present day Gambia.n 1882, at the height of the Mandinka empire, the French accused Samori Touré of refusing to comply to their order to withdraw from an important market center,
Kenyeran (his army had blockaded the market). They thus started war on him. This was an excuse to start war! From 1882 to 1885, Samori fought the French and had to sign infamous treaties in 1886 and then 1887. In 1888, he took up arms again when the French reneged on the treaty by attempting to foster rebellion within his empire. He defeated the French several time between 1885 and 1889. After several confrontations, he concluded several treaties with the French in 1889.
I think in 20 years you'll really see where Africa is headed.
to the mighty Kenyans and the Mau Mau fighters. They need an amazing museum back in Kenya for people to visit. I would love to go and see it. Truly one of Africa's greatest stories in the fight against cac oppression.
