Sheik Omar Futi 

When Sheik Omar Futi left Almami Omar, he went to Karanta Tasilmanta and was welcomed there.  He stayed for a while and continued to Cherno Saidou Deleng.  When he arrived, he was welcome again. Cherno Saidou Deleng reminded him of the papers he lost a long time, while on his way from Mecca and returned them to him. After Sheik Omar settled at Dingirai he entangled in a big dispute with Tamba Boukar which was caused by a griot named Jali Madi Jeebahate.  Jali Madi was Tamba Boukar’s griot who had visited Sheik Omar and decided to stay. While Jali Madi remained there, Sheik Omar started the construction of a fortress and Tamba Boukar sent his men to destroy it. This was done a second time, but Sheik Omar with the help of spiritual powers was able to continue building without Tamba Boukar realizing this.  When this incident occurred, Tamba Boukar sent his men to attack Sheik Omar. He also ordered them to bring back Jali Madi alive or dead.  Tamba’s men stormed into the fortress to seize Jali Madi, but Sheik Omar refused to let him be captured. A clash ensued between both Tamba and Sheik Omar’s men, and they fought so intensely to a heightened point that Sheik Omar’s griots wanted to belittle him. This angered him and he prayed to God.  His prayers were accepted and suddenly the entire town was engulfed in fire, Tamba’s men deserted the area. Sheik Omar and his men followed them to Mori Bugu, and chased them to Jerigoreh and to Dabiya Kurukoto.  Tamba Boukar was later captured at Mahajang Bugu and killed when he refused to go with Sheik Omar Futi. The ruler of Bambugu asked requested Sheik Omar ‘s support in a planned war, but it was called off.  Sheik Omar continued to Bundu, where he found Boukar Sada. He presented one of his sons to Sheik Omar, so that he would be taught, but he ran away. Sheik Omar continued to Kaso where he met Juka Sambala the son of Ndama Yamadu, who welcomed him. It was here that Sheik Omar wanted to convert him to Islam, but he declined. So, Sheik Omar warned his men not to attack him.  While he was leaving, the women sang for him and he prayed for them. He continued to Karta, where he met Baraka Konteh and requested that he convert to Islam. However, Baraka declined and Sheik Omar threatened him. Nonetheless, he insisted and warned Sheik Omar that if the continued with his threats, he would be chased out of town.  Because of this situation Sheik Omar prayed to God and suddenly the entire town of Karta engulfed in flames.  Baraka Konteh was later captured and killed. Then, Sheik Omar asked his son Daha to settle there and requested his other son Macky to settle in Dingirai. He continued to Tukoto and his horse was caught by a crocodile at the river.  When this incident happened, the river was polluted and could not be used for any purpose, even today. Subsequently, Sheik Omar continued to Fuladugu where he was not welcomed. Because of this the people and most became blind. Continuing his journey, he went to Kita and converted the townspeople to Islam and blessed them, as a result, thepeople of Kita were very successful. He then went to Gali, where he arranged the marriage of Saidy Nuru’s mother to Nuru Taal.

References to entities made in the recording

Culture: Mandinka

Language: Mandinka

Persons: Sheik Omar Futi , Almami Omar, Cherno Saidou Deleng, Tamba Boukar, Jali Madi Jeebahate, Boukar Sada, Juka Sambala, Baraka Konteh, Macky, Saidy Nuru, Nuru Taal, Daha, Ndama Yamadu

Relationships:

Sheik Omar was an Islamic Scholar and a Jihadist

Sheik Omar Futi had a son called Daha who settled at Karta

Almami Omar and Cherno Saidou Deleng were both leaders in Fouta Jallon

Tamba Boukar was a ruler and his griot was Jali Madi

Baraka Konteh was the ruler at Karta

Places:  Dingirai, Mori Bugu, Jerigoreh, Dabiya Kurukoto, Mahajang Bugu 

Bambugu, Bundu, Kaso, Karta, Tukoto. Fuladugu, Kita

Movements:

Sheik Omar Futi traveled to many places including Dingirai, Bambugu, Karta, and Bundu

Actions:

Sheik Omar Futi seized Jali Madi, fought and killed Tamba Boukar

He fought and killed Baraka Konteh because he refused to convert to Islam

His horse was killed by a crocodile at a river in Tukoto

Time references:

During the Jihad wars in West Africa and before colonization

Alternative names: Sheikh, Sheik, Sheick, Omar, Omaru, Futi, Suso, Susso, Jobarteh, Jobateh, Jobate, Amadou, Diaye, Ndiaye, N'Diaye, Njie, Njai, Mansour

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