Origins of Siin (Serer proper) Most of the ethnic groups of Senegambia were formed largely during the early centuries of the second millenium. Oral traditions suggest that most state systems in the area can be traced to this period and they indicate a series of population movements which were undoubtedly crucial in forming both peoples and states. The general tendency in these migrations was toward the south. We can hypothesize several reasons. The Almoravids have often been given credit for a stimulating southward movement, but more likely there was a longer term pressure both from nomadic groups in the Sahara and from the slower processes of climatic change. Just as the heart of medieval Ghana was in an area that could not support a large city today, so too, the major political center in northwest Senegambia, Jolof, has, in the 20th century, had more Fulbe pastoralists than Wolof. The one exception to the southward movement was the Mandinka migration which moved out of the Mali heartland in the l3th century to settle the Gambia river area. There are three stages in early Sereer history: the movement of proto-Sereer from the north, the formation of new political institutions with the arrival of Malinke immigrants in Siin, and the creation of a later and more complex polity in Saalum. Jean Boulègue has persuasively argued that the last of these three events can be dated to the late 15th or early 16th century. The origins of Siin are a good bit earlier. Jolof traditions refer to it as one of the founding states of the Jolof empire and it clearly existed when the first Portuguese navigators arrived . On the other hand, it can probably be dated well after the formation of Mali in the mid-13th century. It is reasonable to guess that the gelwaar migration, which led to the creation of Siin took place in the l4th century, though an earlier date is not impossible. When the Gelwaar arrived in Siin, the early Sereer were already there. The fact that there are few Malinke words in Sereer would suggest that the Gelwaar were only catalysts in the process of state formation, and that though they provided the ruling matrilineage and new institutions, they were speedily absorbed in a much larger Sereer-speaking population. It is clear that on the banks of the Gambia River, the Malinke migrants tended to slowly assimilate pre-existing inhabitants while north of the Saalum, they were so few in numbers that they left relatively little impact outside of the political system. This does not give us a precise idea of when the first Sereer arrived. It is probable that they did not all arrive at the same time. It is therefore also probable that most of the migration that brought them south took place before the l4th century. Father Henri Gravrand has suggested the l2th or l3th century. In the absence of more precise chronological information than is now available, this seems quite logical, though it is not impossible that future research will push this and other dates back a little further. Oral traditions speak of earlier inhabitants called Socé. Though often translated as Mandinka, it is probable that this is simply a generic term for earlier peoples. In any case, these earlier peoples have left little evidence of their history besides the Cangin languages and the stone circles found near the Gambia. It is probable that the area was not densely populated and that they were relatively quickly assimilated by the new-comers except in the hinterland of Cape Verde peninsula. The tradition of origin of Siin, which has been reported in a number of places involved a Mandinka colonization under Mansa Waali Jon. These traditions are fairly consistent, though there is an alternative tradition which seems to be of little importance. The variants of the principal tradition are not always consistent on why Mansa Waali Jon left Kaabu, but they are on many other particulars. They are consistent on the association of him with his three sisters: Kular O Meo, Kin o Meo and Siin o Meo. The migrating party crossed the Gambia and settled first at Kular, a village on a tributary of the Gambia about 40 km from the ocean. From there they went to Sourou in the mouth of the Saalum, and after several other stops, went to Jaxanor on the Sangomar peninsula and then finally to Mbisel, less than 10 km from the coast just southeast of Joal. Though the various accounts of this migration report it as a short trip, it probably took place over many years, possibly several generations and involved a scattering of Malinke colonies through the area north of the Gambia. Kular was founded during this migration as was Jilor, and a whole series of miniscule states. The tradition is probably an account of the colonization of the western part of what is now Sine-Saloum region. After arriving at Mbisel the immigrants held wrestling matches, after which the champion, Bugar Biram Fay was married to Siin O Meo. It is from the offspring of this marriage in the uterine line that Buur Siins have descended. Descent is purely matrilineal though patrilineal links seem to have been valuable in building alliances in any struggle for power. The 2nd, 3rd and 4th Buur are described as sons of Bugar Biram and Siin O Meo. The expansion of Siin seems to have been relatively rapid. The version presented by the late Buur Siin Mahecor Diouf suggests that Maissa Waly settled his retainers at Faajut and Jong and incorporated Simal, Jilas and Mbisel. (This list is not necessary exlcusive). These places are within 20 km of the coast. Waagaan Maysa (for Mansa) seems to have been a major colonizer, for he is supposed to have founded villages as far away as Patar, (60 km from Mbisel) and near the later NE frontier. The capital of Siin also moved east and north, though different traditions disagree on the speed. Source:kwekudee-tripdownmemorylane.blogspot.no/2014/01/serer-people-beautiful-intellectual-and.html #HistoryOfAfrica
Posted on: Sun, 04 May 2014 21:34:18 +0000
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