Casamance - History

In 1645 the Portuguese Gonçalo Gamboa Ayala established a trading post at Ziguinchor ; warlike ethnic groups quickly took advantage of the chance to trade in slaves, which activity was greatly aided by the river's navigability. It was because of this activity that the Diola were driven downstream by the Mandingo.

In 1838 the French started their own market-place at Sedhiou, exploring first the opportunities in groundnuts and then rubber. On the thirteenth of May 1838 France, already established at Karabane (1836) and at Sedhiou, took over Ziguinchor from Portugal. Further, on the tenth of August 1889, Great Britain ceded its rights to the Casamance.

The resistance of warlike ethnic groups to to this French presence meant that the colonial administration had to exercise great care, particularly in the area to the east of Ziguinchor. The Diola people, already harassed themselves, were not disposed, or able, to give the French any help.

Although not giving their support to such men as Fodé Sylla, Ibrahima Njaay or Fodé Kaba, the Diola in 1857 rose up against the French presence themselves and attacked Karabane in 1858, where Captain Protet (son of the admiral) was killed by a poisoned arrow. Protet, whose tomb is still recognisable in the Karabane cemetery, was buried standing up. Harassing actions against the colonists continued up until 1914 and was never completely wiped out - (despite the imprisonment of the king of M'lomp in 1942 and the deportation of servant Alintsouë to Tumbuctu).