The Boundou, a state founded by Malick Sy

Fin du 17th century · Boundou

The kingdom of Boundou, in eastern Senegal, was founded at the end of the 17th century by Malick Sy, a Toucouleur marabout from the Toro, in the Fouta Toro. He settled on land granted by the Soninke Bathily dynasty, on the left bank of the Falémé, and took the title of almamy. He islamised the Fulani and Mandinka of the region, with the religious tolerance needed for living together. He died in battle near Arondou in 1699. The state he founded lasted until 1905. Wolof, Fulani, Toucouleur, Malinke, Diakhanke and Tenda lived side by side in Boundou, where the Yéla was also born, a melody once reserved for the ruler and the royal family. The exact date of the foundation and Malick Sy’s role are debated by historians.

Sources

• Persée — M. A. Gomez, Pragmatism in the Age of Jihad : the precolonial state of Bundu (compte rendu, 1994)
• Persée — « The Problem with Malik Sy and the Foundation of Bundu » (Cahiers d’études africaines, 1985)
• Persée — « The Story of Malik Sy » (Cahiers d’études africaines, 1971)
• Cairn — D. T. Niane, ch. XIV « Le Boundou et les royaumes voisins du Gabou au XIXe siècle »

Kingdom fact sheet : Le royaume du Boundou.

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