Fouta Djallon

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Petteh Djiga ("Rock of the Vultures").

Fouta Djallon is a highland region in the center of Guinea, West Africa. The indigenous name is Fuuta-Jaloo. It receives a great deal of rainfall, and the headwaters of three major rivers, the Niger River, the Gambia River and the Senegal River, have their sources on it. It is thus the waterhouse of West Africa. Some authors refer to Fuuta-Jaloo as the Switzerland of West Africa. It spearheaded the expansion of Islam in Guinea. FulBe Muslim scholar developed an indigenous literature using the Arabic alphabet. Known as Ajamiyya, this literary achievement is represented by such great poet-theologians as Tierno Muhammadu Samba Mombeya, Tierno Saadu Dalen, Tierno Aliou Boubha Ndyan, Tierno Jaawo Pellel etc. In its heydays, Fuuta-Jaloo was "a magnet of learning, attracting students from Kankan to the Gambia, and featuring Jakhanke clerics at Tuba as well as Fulbhe teachers. It acted as the nerve centre for trading caravans heading in every direction. The more enterprising commercial lineages, of whatever ethnic origin, established colonies in the Futanke hills and along the principal routes. It served their interests to send their sons to Futanke schools, to support the graduates who came out to teach, and in general to extend the vast pattern of influence that radiated from Futa Jalon" (David Robinson. The Holy War of Umar Tal: the Western Sudan in the mid-nineteenth century. Clarendon Press. Oxford. 1985). Amadou Hampate Ba has called Fuuta-Jaloo "the Thibet of West Africa" in homage to the spiritual and mystic (Sufi) tradition of its clerics.

Children in the village of Doucky.

The Fulani people, named also Peul, called themselves FulBe (sing. Pullo). Their language is Pular, also known as Fulfulde in the Eastern part of West Africa. The FulBe occupy this area and their cattle graze all around. Since the 18th century it has been a stronghold of Islam, when in 1725, the first jihad against the animists was launched. After the battle of Talansan, which was won by the muslims, the theocratic empire of Futa Jallon was founded under one ruler ("Almamy" from Arabic Al Imami) and eight Almamy ruling over the nine provinces (Diiwe) of Futa Jallon. Several successions crisis weakened the central power located in Timbo until 1896, when the last Almamy, Bubakar Biro, was defeated by the French army in the battle of Poredaka.

Fouta Djallon consists mainly of rolling grasslands, at an average elevation of about 900m (3,000ft). The highest point, Mount Loura, rises to 1,515m (4,970ft). The plateau consists of thick sandstone formations which overlie granitic basement rock. Erosion by rain and rivers has carved deep jungle canyons and valleys into the sandstone.

The region's main industry is banana and fruit growing, while its major town is Labé.

[edit] Publications

Dölter, Ueber die Capverden nach dem Rio Grande und Futa Dschallon (Leipzig, 1884)
Noirot, A travers le Fouta-Djallon et le Bamboue (Paris, 1885)
De Sanderval, La coquéte du Fouta-Djallon (Paris, 1899)
Marchat, Les rivières du sud et le Fouta-Djallon (Paris, 1906)