Cayor
Encyclopedia
The Kingdom of Cayor was the largest and most powerful kingdom that split off from the Empire of Jolof (Diolof), in what is now Senegal
. Cayor was located in north and central Senegal, southeast of Waalo
, west of the kingdom of Jolof and north of Baol
and the Kingdom of Sine
.
In 1549, the king, or "Damel
", Detie Fu Ndiogu
, became independent from Jolof (Djolof). The capital was at Mboul. After the French conquered Waalo
, governor Louis Faidherbe
annexed Cayor in 1868, but Cayor got its independence restored in 1871. It was defeated and annexed again in 1879 and ceased to be a sovereign
state. The kingdom was extinguished in its entirety October 6, 1886.
In addition to Cayor, the Damels also ruled over the Lebou
area at Cap-Vert
(where modern Dakar
is), and they became the "Teignes" (rulers) of the neighboring kingdom of Baol
.
Traditionally the Damel himself was not purely hereditary, but was designated by a 4-member council consisting of:
A great hero in Senegal history, for his defiance and battles against the French, was Lat Dyor Diop (Lat Dior) He was defeated at the battle of Dekheule, and was deposed twice, in 1869 and 1879. He converted to Islam around 1861.
The 30th and last Damel of Cayor was Samba Laobe Fall (1858-1886), killed at Tivaouane
, Senegal.
Senegal
Senegal , officially the Republic of Senegal , is a country in western Africa. It owes its name to the Sénégal River that borders it to the east and north...
. Cayor was located in north and central Senegal, southeast of Waalo
Waalo
The Kingdom of Waalo was a kingdom on the lower Senegal River in West Africa, in what are now Senegal and Mauritania. It included parts of the valley proper and areas north and south, extending to the Atlantic Ocean...
, west of the kingdom of Jolof and north of Baol
Baol
The Kingdom of Baol or Bawol in central Senegal was one of the ancient kingdoms of the Serer people pre-the Jolof Empire, an Empire it would later join voluntarily just like the other States. However it gained prominence after the split-up of the Empire in 1555...
and the Kingdom of Sine
Kingdom of Sine
The Kingdom of Sine was a pre-colonial Serer kingdom along the north bank of the Saloum River delta in modern Senegal. Much of the kingdom's population was and still is Serer.-History:...
.
In 1549, the king, or "Damel
Damel
Damel was the title of the ruler of the Wolof kingdom of Cayor in what is now northwest Senegal, West Africa.The most well-known damel is probably Lat Dior Diop who died in battle during the final French drive to capture his territory, which was one of the strongest areas of resistance...
", Detie Fu Ndiogu
Detie Fu Ndiogu
Detie Fu Ndiogu was a king of Cayor in the 16th century. In 1549, he gained his country's independence from the country of Jolof....
, became independent from Jolof (Djolof). The capital was at Mboul. After the French conquered Waalo
Waalo
The Kingdom of Waalo was a kingdom on the lower Senegal River in West Africa, in what are now Senegal and Mauritania. It included parts of the valley proper and areas north and south, extending to the Atlantic Ocean...
, governor Louis Faidherbe
Louis Faidherbe
Louis Léon César Faidherbe was a French general and colonial administrator. He created the Senegalese Tirailleurs when he was governor of Senegal.- Background :...
annexed Cayor in 1868, but Cayor got its independence restored in 1871. It was defeated and annexed again in 1879 and ceased to be a sovereign
Sovereignty
Sovereignty is the quality of having supreme, independent authority over a geographic area, such as a territory. It can be found in a power to rule and make law that rests on a political fact for which no purely legal explanation can be provided...
state. The kingdom was extinguished in its entirety October 6, 1886.
In addition to Cayor, the Damels also ruled over the Lebou
Lebou
The Lebou are an ethnic group of Senegal, West Africa, living on the peninsula of Cap-Vert. The Lebou are primarily a fishing community, but they have a substantial business in construction supplies. They speak Wolof. Their political and spiritual capital is at Yoff, just north of Dakar...
area at Cap-Vert
Cap-Vert
Cap-Vert is a peninsula in Senegal, and the westernmost point of the continent of Africa and of the Old World mainland. Originally called Cabo Verde or "Cape Green" by Portuguese explorers, it is not to be confused with the Cape Verde islands, which are some further west...
(where modern Dakar
Dakar
Dakar is the capital city and largest city of Senegal. It is located on the Cap-Vert Peninsula on the Atlantic coast and is the westernmost city on the African mainland...
is), and they became the "Teignes" (rulers) of the neighboring kingdom of Baol
Baol
The Kingdom of Baol or Bawol in central Senegal was one of the ancient kingdoms of the Serer people pre-the Jolof Empire, an Empire it would later join voluntarily just like the other States. However it gained prominence after the split-up of the Empire in 1555...
.
Traditionally the Damel himself was not purely hereditary, but was designated by a 4-member council consisting of:
- the Diawdine Bul, hereditary chief of the Dyambour (free men)
- the Tchialaw, chief of the canton of Dianbagnane
- the Botale, chief of the canton of Ndiop, and
- the Badgie, chief of the canton of Gategne.
A great hero in Senegal history, for his defiance and battles against the French, was Lat Dyor Diop (Lat Dior) He was defeated at the battle of Dekheule, and was deposed twice, in 1869 and 1879. He converted to Islam around 1861.
The 30th and last Damel of Cayor was Samba Laobe Fall (1858-1886), killed at Tivaouane
Tivaouane
-History:Tivaouane was part of the Wolof kingdom of Cayor, and was at one time its capital. It was first described to Europeans in the 15th century by Venitian explorer Luigi Cada-Mosto....
, Senegal.