Synopses & Reviews
"The book is a readable, terse, theoretically developed treatment of an important episode in African history." --Journal of African History
"It is original and authoritative, certainly the best book we have on the heritage of Umar's conquests." --African History
"... lucid analysis of a changing jihad society. This study enlarges understanding not only of the Umarian empire but also of the jihad movements generally." --Choice
John Hanson's thoroughly researched study revises late-19th-century colonialist assumptions about a West African Muslim social movement. Using indigenous Arabic manuscripts, travel narratives, and oral materials, Hanson assesses the meaning of a series of revolts against Islamic authority.
Synopsis
John H. Hanson's thoroughly researched study revises late-19th-century colonialist assumptions about a West African Muslim social movement. The book investigates three political crises that took place in Nioro, a town in the region of Karta in the upper Senegal River valley, conquered during a military jihad by Shaykh Umar Tal.
Description
Includes bibliographical references (p. 195-209) and index.
About the Author
JOHN H. HANSON is Assistant Professor of History at Indiana University, Bloomington. He is cotranslator and co-editor (with David Robinson) of After the Jihad: The Reign of Ahmad al-Kabir in the Western Sudan.
Table of Contents
Preface
Note on Orthography
Introduction
1. Umar's Jihad and the First Crisis at Nioro
2. The Umarian Consolidation in Karta
3. Amadu Sheku and the Second Crisis at Nioro
4. French Expansion and the Third Crisis at Nioro
5. The End of the Umarian Era in Karta
Conclusion
Appendix: Cast of Principal Characters
Notes
Bibliography
Index