DOI: 10.25592/uhhfdm.10599
title: An Account on The History of Niumi (NCAC_RDD_TAPE_0339A_SE1)

description: Niumi was first ruled by the Jammeh clan.  Seneke Jammeh the first ruler received blessings from the King of Manding Mansa Musa.  Nuimi also had female rulers. The Jammeh clan ruled prior to the time of Kalama Koy who had Mansa Nyontiranjang, Bata Juwara, Anna, Mansa Musa Ndenge, and Musu Mama Andamen. During this period Mana Bunta was at Sitanunku and Mansa Wally who committed suicide in Banjul, were both from the Jammeh clan.  Mansa Wally committed suicide because he refused being a held captive to by the British. Members of the Manneh clan arrived in Niumi after Sama, Tumana, and Keleman Kotoba were dispatched from Kabu to support the people of Kombo in their war against Foni.  Consequently, Foni was defeated and the people fled to Karon.  The Manneh clan members settled at Berefet and Keleman Kotoba returned to Kabu. Numerous Manneh clan members moved to the region, while the Jammeh clan ruled the region.  The Manneh clan members were advised to respect the Jammeh clan.  They settled Buniadu and the first ruler there was Jaali Kassa.  Among his children were; Jaali Kambi, Jumo, Yunka, and Komankan Jambujite. Meanwhile, Mansa Mari was staying with Kanuma a member of the Manneh clan.  The throne frequently rotated between the Jammeh clan and the Manneh clan. Later, the Sonko clan arrived, who received blessings from their marabout.  They journeyed from a place called Diniyang and traveled through Bankiri at Wagan.  Gido Yaldi and Demba Yaldi were the parents of Kolli Tengele who settled in Berending, Bubu Tengele settled at Jifate and Yero Tengele settled at Essau. When Kolli Tengele came to settle in Niumi the people often paid tax to the ruler of Saloum and he stated it was his intention to abolish this.  He was promised a position of leadership in Niumi if he kept his word. The inhabitants of Niumi fought a vicious war with Saloum and were defeated.  They shared the land from Faraba Wagan, located between Sokone and Sangako.  A ruler called Arfang Lang Manneh, was assigned to settle there, and he was later succeeded by Lieutenant Ceesay from Niani Kayai.  After the First World War, he was in Kongel and then transferred to Sangako as chief. It was intended by the Jammeh clan to betray the Sonkos upon their agreement.  They fought bitterly and eventually agreed to appoint a ruler from the Sonko clan. At Berending they selected a ruler.  The throne at Berending changed multiple rulers including Biram Sonko, Wagan Sonko, Momisa Nyana, Mansa Demba Koto, and Jenung Wuleng. Mansa Demba also fought alongside Jaliya at Balli and they were both related.  The reason for war was Sunkaru Jabunay. The rulers at Essau included Matang Sonko a female, Kama Sonko, Banna Sonko, Biram Tenang Tamba and Hali Maranta. During the time of Mansa Burungay, he had conflicts with Biram Sira, his elder brother.  Biram Sira was at Bakau waiting to inherit the throne.

 

<strong>References to entities made in the recording</strong>

<strong>Culture:</strong> Mandinka

<strong>Language:</strong> Mandinka

<strong>Persons:</strong>  Seneke Jammeh, Mansa Wally, Kalama Koy, Mansa Nyontiranjang, Bata Juwara, Anna, Mansa Musa Ndenge, Musu Mama Andamen, Mana Bunta, Mansa Wally, Sama, Tumana, Keleman Kotoba, Jaali Kassa, Jaali Kambi, Jumo, Yunka, Komankan Jambujite, Mansa Mari, Gido Yaldi, Demba Yaldi, Kolli Tengele, Bubu Tengele, Yero Tengele, Arfang Lang Manneh, Biram Sonko, Wagan Sonko, Momisa Nyana, Mansa Demba Koto, Jenung Wuleng, Mansa Demba, Jaliya Sunkaru Jabunay, Matang Sonko, Kama Sonko, Banna Sonko, Biram Tenang Tamba and Hali Maranta, Mansa Burungay, Biram Sira, Lieutenant Ceesay

<strong>Relationships:</strong>

Seneke Jammeh was the first ruler at Niumi

Kalama Koy had children called Mansa Nyontiranjang, Bata Juwara, Anna, Mansa Musa Ndenge, Musu Mama Andamen

Mana Bunta was a ruler at Sitanunku

Gido Yaldi and Demba Yaldi were the parents of Kolli Tengele, Bubu Tengele and Yero Tengele

Jaali Kassa the first ruler at Buniadou had children called Jaali Kambi, Jumo, Yunka, Komankan and Jambujite

<strong>Places: </strong>

Niumi, Essau, Berending, Jifate, Buniadou, Sitanunku, Kanuma, Sokone, Saloum, Diniyang, Bankiri, Berefet, Bakau, Sangako, Kongel, Niani Kayai and Balli

Movements:

The Sonko clan moved from Diniyang to settle in Niumi

The Manneh clan came from Kabu to settle in Niumi after the Kombo war with Foni

<strong>Actions:</strong>

Mansa Wally committed suicide to resist being captured by the British

Kolli Tengele prevented the people of Niumi from paying taxes to Saloum

Mansa Burangay betrayed his elder brother Biram Sira and became the ruler 

After the war between Niumi and Saloum the land was divided 

<strong>Time references:</strong>

None

<sup><em>Alternative names: Suso, Susso, Diaye, Ndiaye, N'Diaye, Njie, Njai, Mansour</em></sup>
description: Published by NCAC-National Digital Archive of The Gambia, initiated by University of Hamburg, Asia-Africa-Institute, Germany, funded by Gerda Henkel Foundation, Germany