Susu people
Encyclopedia
The Soso are a major Mande ethnic group
living primarily in Guinea
. Smaller communities are also located in the neighboring countries of Sierra Leone
, Senegal
and Mali
. The Susu are descendants of the thirteenth century Mali Empire
. They moved to their present location after 1725, when the Fulani attempted to dominate them and managed to convert them to Islam
and some of them converted to dangot community.
The Susu people are a group of farmers, traders
and fishermen. The Susu live mainly in the coastal areas of Guinea, Sierra Leone, Senegal and Mali. They tend to live where there are many marshes and waterways. Their houses are made from either mud or cement blocks or whatever is available. In the city, the roofs are made of iron. In the rural areas the roofs are still made from straw.
Each Susu village is led by a chief
and a group of elders. The leaders are in control of about 3,000 to 6,000 people. They are called wise men because they also resolve fights or conflicts between the people. Their homes are often very large to hold many people.
group. Family is very important in Susu society. Polygyny
is a common practice among Susu men; a Susu man is allowed under Islamic law
to have four wives. Although good relationships are valued, there are many conflicts with neighbors, especially when dealing with money or property. Thus, each village has an elected chief
to help resolve conflicts. The men do not spend much time with the rest of the family. They hunt all day and sleep in rooms designated for the men. The women gather wood and wild food, rear children and keep the village clean. Each women has her own room or corner of the hut. The children will grow up with many fathers and mothers.
, called Sosoxi by native speakers; Soso or Soussou by others, serves as a major trade language in the Guinean capital city of Conakry
, Dubreka
, Kindia
, Forécariah
as well as other towns around those four large cities. The Susu language is almost indistinguishable from the language of the Yalunka. Because of these linguistic similarities, some people think that at one time the Susu and Yalunka were one group, living in the Fouta Djallon
region of Guinea. It is thought that Fulani invaders separated the two groups, with the Susu moving southward and absorbing other peoples in the process.
from palm nuts. They also make peanut oil and soap. All of the family members, including the children, are expected to do their share of the manual labor necessary for sustaining an adequate lifestyle.
In addition to farming, fishing
and salt production are important enterprises to the Susu economy. Salt is produced during the dry season, and it can take up to three months of intense work to produce anything substantial. The Susa are also well known as merchants and craftsmen of leather and metal.
Although Western clothes can be obtained in the markets, most Susu women seem to prefer African dress. They usually wear African-style skirts that reach to their ankles. Older men wear loose-fitting cotton robes, but the younger men prefer Western-style clothing.
, and Islam
dominates their religious culture and practices. Most Islamic holidays are observed, the most important being the celebration that follows Ramadan
(a month of prayer and fasting). The Susu also combine their Islamic faith with traditional beliefs. The believe that many ghosts, spirits and gods all inhabit the same land and that witches have the power to change into animals and cause harm to their villages. They make beautiful masks from carvings which they use in their celebrations and dances. Susu have a fear of black magic, curses and other witchcraft practices.
. The Susu predominate in the central region of Guinea and theirs is the most widely spoken language in the capital Conakry and other cities in central Guinea, including Kindia
, Forekaria and Koya. The Sierra Leonean Susu live primarily in Kambia District where they form the second largest ethnic group after the Temne at about 28% of the population.
Ethnic group
An ethnic group is a group of people whose members identify with each other, through a common heritage, often consisting of a common language, a common culture and/or an ideology that stresses common ancestry or endogamy...
living primarily in Guinea
Guinea
Guinea , officially the Republic of Guinea , is a country in West Africa. Formerly known as French Guinea , it is today sometimes called Guinea-Conakry to distinguish it from its neighbour Guinea-Bissau. Guinea is divided into eight administrative regions and subdivided into thirty-three prefectures...
. Smaller communities are also located in the neighboring countries of Sierra Leone
Sierra Leone
Sierra Leone , officially the Republic of Sierra Leone, is a country in West Africa. It is bordered by Guinea to the north and east, Liberia to the southeast, and the Atlantic Ocean to the west and southwest. Sierra Leone covers a total area of and has an estimated population between 5.4 and 6.4...
, 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...
and Mali
Mali
Mali , officially the Republic of Mali , is a landlocked country in Western Africa. Mali borders Algeria on the north, Niger on the east, Burkina Faso and the Côte d'Ivoire on the south, Guinea on the south-west, and Senegal and Mauritania on the west. Its size is just over 1,240,000 km² with...
. The Susu are descendants of the thirteenth century Mali Empire
Mali Empire
The Mali Empire or Mandingo Empire or Manden Kurufa was a West African empire of the Mandinka from c. 1230 to c. 1600. The empire was founded by Sundiata Keita and became renowned for the wealth of its rulers, especially Mansa Musa I...
. They moved to their present location after 1725, when the Fulani attempted to dominate them and managed to convert them to Islam
Islam
Islam . The most common are and . : Arabic pronunciation varies regionally. The first vowel ranges from ~~. The second vowel ranges from ~~~...
and some of them converted to dangot community.
The Susu people are a group of farmers, traders
Merchant
A merchant is a businessperson who trades in commodities that were produced by others, in order to earn a profit.Merchants can be one of two types:# A wholesale merchant operates in the chain between producer and retail merchant...
and fishermen. The Susu live mainly in the coastal areas of Guinea, Sierra Leone, Senegal and Mali. They tend to live where there are many marshes and waterways. Their houses are made from either mud or cement blocks or whatever is available. In the city, the roofs are made of iron. In the rural areas the roofs are still made from straw.
Each Susu village is led by a chief
Tribal chief
A tribal chief is the leader of a tribal society or chiefdom. Tribal societies with social stratification under a single leader emerged in the Neolithic period out of earlier tribal structures with little stratification, and they remained prevalent throughout the Iron Age.In the case of ...
and a group of elders. The leaders are in control of about 3,000 to 6,000 people. They are called wise men because they also resolve fights or conflicts between the people. Their homes are often very large to hold many people.
Customs and culture
The Susu often favor marriages between cousins and they live in extended familyExtended family
The term extended family has several distinct meanings. In modern Western cultures dominated by nuclear family constructs, it has come to be used generically to refer to grandparents, uncles, aunts, and cousins, whether they live together within the same household or not. However, it may also refer...
group. Family is very important in Susu society. Polygyny
Polygyny
Polygyny is a form of marriage in which a man has two or more wives at the same time. In countries where the practice is illegal, the man is referred to as a bigamist or a polygamist...
is a common practice among Susu men; a Susu man is allowed under Islamic law
Sharia
Sharia law, is the moral code and religious law of Islam. Sharia is derived from two primary sources of Islamic law: the precepts set forth in the Quran, and the example set by the Islamic prophet Muhammad in the Sunnah. Fiqh jurisprudence interprets and extends the application of sharia to...
to have four wives. Although good relationships are valued, there are many conflicts with neighbors, especially when dealing with money or property. Thus, each village has an elected chief
Tribal chief
A tribal chief is the leader of a tribal society or chiefdom. Tribal societies with social stratification under a single leader emerged in the Neolithic period out of earlier tribal structures with little stratification, and they remained prevalent throughout the Iron Age.In the case of ...
to help resolve conflicts. The men do not spend much time with the rest of the family. They hunt all day and sleep in rooms designated for the men. The women gather wood and wild food, rear children and keep the village clean. Each women has her own room or corner of the hut. The children will grow up with many fathers and mothers.
Language
Their languageSusu language
Sosoxui is the language of the Soso people of Guinea, West Africa. It is in the Mande language family.It is one of the national languages of Guinea and spoken mainly in the coastal region of the country. The language was also used by people in present-day Guinea as a trade language.e.g...
, called Sosoxi by native speakers; Soso or Soussou by others, serves as a major trade language in the Guinean capital city of Conakry
Conakry
Conakry is the capital and largest city of Guinea. Conakry is a port city on the Atlantic Ocean and serves as the economic, financial and cultural centre of Guinea with a 2009 population of 1,548,500...
, Dubreka
Dubréka
Dubréka is a town in Guinea, lying immediately north of Conakry.Population 8,300 .- Overview :As the birthplace of president Lansana Conté, it has a good infrastructure and is also known for its mangrove swamps.- References :...
, Kindia
Kindia
Kindia is the third largest city in Guinea, lying about 85 miles north east of the nation's capital Conakry.Population 181,126 . - Overview :...
, Forécariah
Forécariah
Forécariah is a Sub-prefecture and town located in western Guinea.Population 21,710 . It is the capital of Forécariah Prefecture.- Famous people :It was the birthplace of Henri Duparc, the film director.- Mining :...
as well as other towns around those four large cities. The Susu language is almost indistinguishable from the language of the Yalunka. Because of these linguistic similarities, some people think that at one time the Susu and Yalunka were one group, living in the Fouta Djallon
Fouta Djallon
Fouta Djallon is a highland region in the centre of Guinea, West Africa. The indigenous name is Fuuta-Jaloo...
region of Guinea. It is thought that Fulani invaders separated the two groups, with the Susu moving southward and absorbing other peoples in the process.
Economy
The Susu are primarily farmers, with rice and millet being their two principal crops. Mangoes, pineapples, and coconuts are also grown. The women make various kinds of palm oilPalm oil
Palm oil, coconut oil and palm kernel oil are edible plant oils derived from the fruits of palm trees. Palm oil is extracted from the pulp of the fruit of the oil palm Elaeis guineensis; palm kernel oil is derived from the kernel of the oil palm and coconut oil is derived from the kernel of the...
from palm nuts. They also make peanut oil and soap. All of the family members, including the children, are expected to do their share of the manual labor necessary for sustaining an adequate lifestyle.
In addition to farming, fishing
Fishing
Fishing is the activity of trying to catch wild fish. Fish are normally caught in the wild. Techniques for catching fish include hand gathering, spearing, netting, angling and trapping....
and salt production are important enterprises to the Susu economy. Salt is produced during the dry season, and it can take up to three months of intense work to produce anything substantial. The Susa are also well known as merchants and craftsmen of leather and metal.
Life style
Ancient Susu houses were typically made of either mud or cement blocks, depending on the resources available. They are generally quite large in order to accommodate extended families. In the cities, roofs are most often made of corrugated iron; whereas in the rural areas, they are usually made of thatch. Most cooking is done over open fires. Electricity is scarce throughout the region, even in the capital city, many go days without any power. Clean water is generally lacking in the capital, but in more rural areas is not considered a big problem. Humanitarian aid organizations are trying to help the Susu by digging wells throughout the area.Although Western clothes can be obtained in the markets, most Susu women seem to prefer African dress. They usually wear African-style skirts that reach to their ankles. Older men wear loose-fitting cotton robes, but the younger men prefer Western-style clothing.
Religion and traditional beliefs
Over 99% of Susu are MuslimMuslim
A Muslim, also spelled Moslem, is an adherent of Islam, a monotheistic, Abrahamic religion based on the Quran, which Muslims consider the verbatim word of God as revealed to prophet Muhammad. "Muslim" is the Arabic term for "submitter" .Muslims believe that God is one and incomparable...
, and Islam
Islam
Islam . The most common are and . : Arabic pronunciation varies regionally. The first vowel ranges from ~~. The second vowel ranges from ~~~...
dominates their religious culture and practices. Most Islamic holidays are observed, the most important being the celebration that follows Ramadan
Ramadan
Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, which lasts 29 or 30 days. It is the Islamic month of fasting, in which participating Muslims refrain from eating, drinking, smoking and sex during daylight hours and is intended to teach Muslims about patience, spirituality, humility and...
(a month of prayer and fasting). The Susu also combine their Islamic faith with traditional beliefs. The believe that many ghosts, spirits and gods all inhabit the same land and that witches have the power to change into animals and cause harm to their villages. They make beautiful masks from carvings which they use in their celebrations and dances. Susu have a fear of black magic, curses and other witchcraft practices.
Regions with significant population
Over 75 percent of the total Susu population live in Guinea, particularly in and around the Guinean capital ConakryConakry
Conakry is the capital and largest city of Guinea. Conakry is a port city on the Atlantic Ocean and serves as the economic, financial and cultural centre of Guinea with a 2009 population of 1,548,500...
. The Susu predominate in the central region of Guinea and theirs is the most widely spoken language in the capital Conakry and other cities in central Guinea, including Kindia
Kindia
Kindia is the third largest city in Guinea, lying about 85 miles north east of the nation's capital Conakry.Population 181,126 . - Overview :...
, Forekaria and Koya. The Sierra Leonean Susu live primarily in Kambia District where they form the second largest ethnic group after the Temne at about 28% of the population.
Notable Susus people
- Lansana ContéLansana ContéLansana Conté was the second President of Guinea from 3 April 1984 until his death. He was a Muslim and a member of the Susu ethnic group.-Early life:...
, former president of Guinea from 1984 to 2008 - Dala Modu DumbuyaDala Modu DumbuyaDala Modu was an important Sierra Leonean Susu trader and translator between the British Colonial Government and the local chiefs in the interior in the early decades of the British Colony in Sierra Leone. His efforts helped in resolving a number of conflicts between the colonial and interior rulers...
was an important Sierra Leonean Susu trader during colonial era - Ibrahima Kassory FofanaIbrahima Kassory FofanaIbrahima Kassory Fofana is a Guinean politician.Originally a civil servant in the Ministry for Co-operation, in 1990 Fofana became the Director for Public Investments. In 1994, he accepted President Lansana Conté offer to become the "Administrator and Controller of Major Works"...
, former Finance minister of Guinea - Ahmed Ramadan DumbuyaAhmed Ramadan DumbuyaAhmed Ramadan Dumbuya is a former Sierra Leonean politician. Dumbuya served as foreign minister twice; for a brief time in 1992 and from 2001 to 2002. He is a member of the Susu ethnic group.- References :...
, Sierra Leonean politician - Momodu Yillah, Sierra Leonean business mand the SLPP political party Trustee
- Pr. Sekou Mouke Yansane, Professor, Ambassador-Diplomat to the United Nations, Governor
- Eugène CamaraEugène CamaraEugène Camara is a political figure from Guinea who was briefly Prime Minister of Guinea in February 2007.-Early life and career:...
, former prime minister of Guinea - Arafan CamaraArafan CamaraGeneral Arafan Camara was a politician and military official in Guinea. Camara was named Defense Minister on 28 March 2007 after mass protests forced a new government. He was dismissed as minister on 12 May 2007 after soldiers rioted concerning better working conditions and the re-instatement of...
, former Guinean defense minister - Sheriff SumaSheriff SumaSheriff Suma nickname Awilo, is a Sierra Leonean international footballer of Guinean descent. He is a winger for Ravan Baku and for the Sierra Leone national football team. He was a member of Sierra Leone U-17 team at the 2003 FIFA U-17 World Championship in Finland...
, Sierra Leonean football star - Souleymane YoulaSouleymane YoulaSouleymane Youla is a Guinean football player. He Currently Free Agent.-Career:Youla's greatest attribute is his speed and ability to pass defenders by using this aspect of his game...
, Guinean football star - Mohamed Sillah, Sierra Leonean football star
- Henri CamaraHenri CamaraHenri Camara is a Senegalese footballer who plays as a striker for Greek Superleague side Panetolikos.-Early career:Camara was born in Dakar to a Guinean father and a Senegalese mother...
, Senegalese football star - Ismaël BangouraIsmaël BangouraIsmaël Bangoura is a Guinean football striker who currently plays for Al Nasr SC and the Guinea national team. His favourite position is striker. Also, Bangoura has played as a winger and attacking midfielder.-Early career:...
, Guinean footballer - Ibrahima CamaraIbrahima CamaraIbrahima Sory Camara is a naturalized Guinean football midfielder, who most recently played for K.A.S...
, Guinean football star - Prince Modupe, Guinean actor, Hollywood technical advisor on Africa and author of the autobiography, A Royal African (Praeger: New York, 1969) (published in 1957 by Harcourt, Brace & World as I Was a Savage).