After slavery: memories and lives in a former slaving zone

Colonial sources of the second part of the 19th century and oral traditions use the term ‘Fuladu’ to describe the West African Fulbe kingdom that controlled the lands today part of the Upper Gambia, Haute Casamance (Sénégal) and Gabù (Guinea Bissau). Throughout the age of the Atlantic slave trade, this region provided slaves, hides and ivory to the trading posts located along the Gambia River and the Rio Geba. Political power rested in the hands of the Mandinka-speaking elite of warriors and traders. Their supremacy ended with the end of the Atlantic slave trade that had been one of the sources of their riches. The Fulbe that dwelled in the region revolted against their Mandinka lords. Short-lived and war raged, Fuladu was split by British, French and Portuguese colonial interests at the end of the 19th century. The last battle that produced captives was fought in 1901. In 1905, the French abolished the slave trade in their part of the kingdom; the British followed in 1906. It took longer in Portuguese territories, as the colonial conquest was completed only in 1915. What are the dynamics of a ‘slaving zone’ once enslavement is over? As a matter of fact, slave ancestry is a relevant social and political issue throughout the former lands of Fuladu. In regard with its French part, this paper raises the following questions: which are the living traces of the days of enslavement and slavery? In spite of legal abolition, did not colonialism strengthen the social subordination of freed slaves and slave descendants to people of free ancestry? Which role did the legacy of slavery play in the political struggles that brought to the independence of Senegal? In a broader perspective, it is a legitimate question whether the position of Fuladu in regard with the rest of the world has ever changed since the long gone age of the Atlantic slave trade.