r/Guinea • u/IloveVaduz • Jan 17 '26
Futa-Jallon Imamate
I am currently researching about the Fula kingdom of Futa-Jallon in modern day Guinea. Resources are limited about it online, so I though I should ask some natives if they know of any places where I can read more about the Futa-Jallon Imamate. Thanks.
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u/MoiMemeMyself Jan 17 '26
It is best if you ask a specific question.
First of all it was a federation not an imamat. A federation of 7 provinces or states called diwés ( singular diwal). There was a constitution with rules on the distribution of power between the federal capital (Timbo) and the states. There was a Constitutional Court to adjudicate dispute. There were state armies more or less autonomous and a federal army when there was an external threat or conquest. Etc …
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u/IloveVaduz Jan 17 '26
So would be more correct in Calling it the "Federation of Futa-Jallon" than "The Imamate of Futa Jallon". Also, I'm trying to research the aparent last Imam of the federation called "Boubacar IV" or maybe his name was "Bokar Biro IV". I cant find anything saying the man existed, so I'm very confused on who was the Imam during the last years of the nation's exists. I am also struggling to understand how the govenremnt woked. I know there were two main political parties, arguing on who should be the Imam of Futa-Jallon. There were also Alamis, which I dont really get who they were. Were they the leaders of these parties? Or just another title given to the ruler?
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u/MoiMemeMyself Jan 17 '26 edited Jan 17 '26
Yes. It was a federation. Each state ( diwal ) has his own “Almamy ” and local assembly that controls the executive branch. A bit like a US state governor.
Boubacar “Biro” ( aka Bokar Biro) was the last Almamy of the federation. There is ample written documentation about his coup d’état against his brother then tried to become a dictator (sound familiar) and refusing to follow the constitution that required him to relinquish power after his 2 years mandate.
He was defeated by the French invaders in Poredaka battle. His head severed and his mother was forced to carry his skull. None of the diwal Almamy - the most powerful being Alfa Yaya Almamy of Labé diwal - came to his rescue. The French broke off the Foutah Djallon state and removed all the Almamy and nominated their own collaborators until 1956 when chieftain was abolished.
You can search and Google Translate “Bokar Biro” or « Bocar Biro » and you will find plenty of resources online including social media and video.
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u/IloveVaduz Jan 17 '26
I know about Bokar Biro, the Imam who died in 1896, but wikipedia says there was someone called Bobacaur IV. Futa Julllon was only annexed in 1912, so there had to be someone ruling the country after him. I think Alfa Yaya Almany ruled from 1896 to 1905, until he was exciled to Benin, but I'm not really sure.
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u/MoiMemeMyself Jan 17 '26
The federal state of Foutah Djallon was dismantled after Bocar Biro defeat. Alfa Yaya never ruled Foutah Djallon federal state. He was the Almamy of the Labe diwal. He had the largest and strongest army among the diwés. He did not join Bocar Biro fight against the French. They did not spare him. He was removed, exiled and the whole federal state was broken off between the colonies of Senegal, Mali and the newly Guinea. Part of the Foutah Djallon was « given » to the Portuguese in Guinea Bissau.
Boubacar IV maybe a previous ruler before the European came.
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u/IloveVaduz Jan 17 '26
I've seen some sources say that Futa-Jallon existed until 1912. I guess there's a lot of misconception then. I also think the name Boubacar IV is just a fake name given to Bokar Biro's son, as his real name is not known.
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u/Saharan-Gladiator Jan 17 '26
Hello, may I ask why you're interested, despite one being the last independent and prosperous state of the entire continent, it doesn't generate much interest outside of Muslims familiar with the Fulani Jihads?
In any case, I have a couple of links to an old blog style website, it's extremely outdated and annoying to navigate, I helped a bit with the coding and proof reading, this was back when modern coding practices weren't standard yet so don't judge:
A travers le Fouta-Diallon et le Bambouc - https://www.webfuuta.site/bibliotheque/noirot/atfdb/tdm.html
The Fouta-Djalon Chieftaincy - https://www.webfuuta.site/bibliotheque/jscanale/chieftaincy/fuuta-jaloo_chieftaincy.html
Institutions politiques du Fouta-Djallon au XIXè siècle - https://www.webfuuta.site/bibliotheque/thierno_diallo/institutions/tdm.html
This is an information page of the main colonial administrator, Jean-Baptiste Ernest Noirot, after the region got officially colonized between 1896 and 1912, there are several articles and biographies that you can read from him, I describe him as contradictory schizophrenic, on one hand he would praise African achievements and go strongly against the mainstream view of the time but then on the other hand, he would attribute African achievements to a "greater race of people":
https://webguine.site/etat/colonial/gouverneurs/administrateurs/noirot/index.html
And this last link is all the historical research/articles/documents/books that were written about the region, you have to click through the links for the articles and documents to show up. Some of them are available in PDF but not all of them, at least you get the books and authors for the ones that aren't available in PDF: https://www.webguine.site/bibliotheque/archives/rechAfric/index.html
PS. the background of the website is white and as someone with light sensitivity issues, being on the website too long will start hurting my eyes, hindsight is a bitch