Wuli History: Kope's descendants, rulership, Mamadi Lamin

When Koppe ascended to the throne of Wulli, he became king over his older brothers.  He had four sons each of whom had their own family.  The families Jatta Kunda, Jubou Kunda, Salabang Kunda, and Nkoi Kunda. During Mansa Faring’s kingship, he made life so difficult for his brother Nkoi in Wulli Madina.  Nkoi left and settled in Mbanneh and still had problems with his brother, but he was supported by Brusul Madi.  He gained great success while in Mbanneh.  He later returned and became king of Wulli after the death of his brother Mansa Faring.  During this period Wulli and Niani were not on good terms, so he sent his son Jubung to Tomora in the East to support him in fighting Niani.  He was given men, but when they arrived in Wulli the conflict had been called off, and they requested to be rewarded.  They were directed to attack and collect the riches of Nianing which they did, and then returned to Tomora. When that happened Jubung advised his father to cease going to war.  He told him that the people in the East farmed instead of fighting each other for wealth. Wulli kings used to live off the riches of others, by attacking them,seizing their people and wealth. His father agreed, and both started farming and were very successful. Mansa Nkoi was followed by Mansa Jatta, who was succeeded by Mansa Jubung.  Mansa Jubung was a well-known figure and this was before the colonial era. However, during this period, it was not unusual for white men to visit his kingdom and they had a good relationship. When Nyana Mamadi became king, the community of Wulli Madina migrated, because they were threatened by Dammel Takko from the Jollof. Fenda Mamadi was at Pacha Bung, and his brother Nyana Mamadi ordered him to leave because of the threat tothe kingdom.  So, the king’s family relocated to Bukari Kunda, Leigh Kunda, and Tamba Kunda.  Fenda Mamadi returned and settled in Pasangoto after spending three years at Tamba Kunda.  He was attacked and defeated there so, he fled back to Tamba Kunda. After four years in exile, Fenda Mamadi asked his brother Nyana Mamadi to return to Wulli and he agreed.  They returned and established two towns, Sinney and Manjang Kunda.   Yaka Sarr the son of Nyana Mamadi came across Sheik Mamadi Lamin a great marabout in the East and joined his entourage.  The marabout came to Wulli and requested permission to pass through.  The people of Wulli were mainly disbelievers thus his request was denied. Before arriving in Wulli, the marabout had conquered Bundou and killed Malamin Janteh’s father-inlaw.  He sent for Malamin Janteh to host him in Netebulu, but this was not granted.  While the Marabout was around, the people of Wulli attacked and defeated him, and he fled to Kandara Juwara.  He was escorted by Kandara and Ba Tappa Drammeh through Sayeko, Nganinkoila, Bananko, up to Touba. While in Touba, the Marabout attacked Netebulu and defeated them, killing  Malamin Janteh and his wife.  He was attacked by Sinney and Manjang Kunda, but he managed to defeat them as well. After the fight in Netebulu, the marabout wanted to kill Malamin Singhateh but he was advised not to, and he agreed. At Manjang Kunda, he planned to kill Fenda Mamadi and his wife, and his griot Tamba Jali.  He went on to attack them, but he was defeated when Sinney came to support Manjang Kunda. Many of the marabout’s men were killed by Kulakou Walley. The marabout was defeated for a second time he attacked Manjang Kunda, so he returned to Sinney where he defeated them, and they fled to Tembulu where Wulaba Samba a great warrior lived.  The marabout went back to Touba. Later, the white men pursued him and found him in Kayai Dinne Kunda where they killed him.  They took his head to Sinney town square (Bantaba) and warned anyone who disagreed with them, that they would be dealt with harshly.  They continued with the head to Bakkel and the region’s sovereignty ended there.

References to entities made in the recording

Culture:  Soninke, Fulbe, Wolof

Language: Mandinka

Persons:  Koppe, Mansa Faring, Kandara Juwara, Jubung, Ba Tappa Drammeh, Nyana Mamadi, Malamin Singhateh, Fenda Mamadi, Wulaba Samba, Tamba Jali, Malang Janteh, Kaluka Walley, Brusul Madi

Relationships: Jatta Kunda, Jubou Kunda, Salabang Kunda and Nkoi Kunda were Koppe’s descendants

Yaka Sarr was the son of Nyana Mamadi

Places: Netebulu, Tembulu, Touba, Kayai Dinne Kunda, sayeko, Tamba Kunda, Bukari Kunda, Nganinkoila, Bananko

Movements: The king’s family left Wulli and settled at Tamba Kunda

The king’s family returned to Wulli and settled in Sinney and Manjang Kunda

Actions: The Marabout Sheik Mamadi Lamin was attacked and defeated by Wulli

Kaluka Walley killed many of Sheik Mamadi Lamin’s men at Manjang Kunda

The marabout killed Malamin Janteh’s father in-law in Bundou, and also killed Malamin Janteh and his wife at Netebulu

The white men killed Sheik Mamadi Lamin at Kayai Dinne Kunda

Time references:

None

Additional information:  None

Alternative names: Suso, Susso, Manekeba, Darbo, Darboe, Dabo, Daboe, Alieu, Aliou

Published by NCAC - National Digital Archive of The Gambia, initiated by University of Hamburg, Asia-Africa-Institute, Germany, funded by Gerda Henkel Foundation, Germany