User:Abu Bakarr S Turay/sandbox

SULIMA CHIEFDOM
After the Futa Jallon Jihad, when the Yalunkas lost battle to the Fullah revolutionaries led by Karamokho Alfa the spiritual leader and Ibrahim Sori the warrior at around 1630s due to the Yalukas refused to succumb to their faith. One of the original owners of Yalunkadu which was later renamed to Futa Jallon/ Fouta-Djallon after the Yalunkas were defeated by the Fullah with the support from the Mandikas/Mandigos to secure the most outstanding business centre in 1600s. Sorie Manga decided to travel along with his people in the northern part of Sierra Leone to invent a safe territory for his followers and name it Falaba, the word Falaba is derived from a Yalunka word which mean Talking point. He visited his uncle Manga Freegie for his protection after being defeated by the Fullahs. He married the daughter of his uncle’s name Mammy Yeri that gave birth to the rulers of Sulima Chiefdoms in Sierra Leone and Guinea. Due to power supremacy between his four children, he decided to divide the land among the four sons. His first son was name Yerisa, Yerisa established himself and extended to various towns in Guinea like Dantilia, Heremakono, Kalia, Yatiya and Giyafari. The second son was named Tahisha and the third son was named Kumbasa. Tahisha and Kumbasa decided to build Manga Bunduya and Manga Kemaya, established themselves in Various town in Guinea like Komboya, Bomtala, Sanamusaya and Laya. His last son’s name Yerifather established a town in Sierra Leone named Semithya currently Kabelia Chiefdom. Falaba Town was shared among his followers: Kamaras, Turays, Jawaras, Mansarays, Fofanahs,Sesays, Kerans and three of his Sons Yerisa Tahisha and Kumbasa. It was founded by Sorie Manga and One hundred cotton trees were planted right across the township and two cotton three was planted at the center of the township. ====RUILERS OF SULIMA CHIEFDOM.==== According to Robinson (2013, pg.82) “Sorie Manga had a succession of children and grandchildren, who for many years profitably raided nearby Kissi and Limba villages for slaves.” This particular scripture attests the accusation that the Samuras among the Limbas and other tribes are sons of Sorie Manga. Successful Samaras have been ruling the two Sulima Chiefdoms in Guinea and Sierra Leone after the death of their great grandfather Sorie manga, I will limit my article on Sierra Leone Sulima Chiefdom. After the instillation of the 100 cotton trees and 2 at the center of the township. Kemoh Dansa first son of Yerisa was instilled as the first Ruler of Falaba Town, documented as Manga Dansa.

====KEMOH DANSA/ MANGA DANSA SAMURA==== Sulima’s history is described in detail in Lipschutz (1973, pg. 15) Kemoh Dansa was converted to Islam by the Fula around 1700. Grandson of Sorie Manga. As that century wore on, however, relations with the Fula grew tense, likely over land disputes, and descended into war. Many of Sulima’s towns were captured, except for Falaba, which is the headquarters of Sulima today. After war with the Fula subsided, Falaba prospered, and, as noted in Lipschutz, was observed by Wind wood Reade in 1869 as a prosperous farming and trading community. After the war between the Fullahs and the Yalunkas Manga Dansa Decided to send his beloved son (Sorie Sumara/ Sorie Wullay) at Futa Jallon to learn the Arabic Language after accepting Islam. After many years of learning the Arabic language, Kemoh Dansa sent the Elders and the Griots (Yiribas) to collect his beloved son the namesake of his grandfather Sorie. Sorie Wullay became the first Imma in Falaba Town praying the people of Falaba including his Father Manga Dansa. Few years back Kemoh Dansa passed away. He was succussed by Manga Denka (The Warrior and youth leader) ====MANGA DENKA (WARRIOR AND YOUTH LEADER)===

Manga Denka succeeded manga Dansa because he was the strongest warrior and Youth Leader, the sons of Manga Dansa were very young at that time. They agree to select Manga Denka as the King of Falaba. The Denkaya Family is currently headed by a popular Chiefdom police B. Number. During the 2021 paramount chief election one of the grandson of Manga Denka by the name of Manga Bockarie Samura contest and was given the Chieftaincy right by the tribal Authorities. Few years ago, Manga Denka passed away and the Elder decided to elect the beloved son of manga Dansa, Sorie Wullay. ====SORIE WULLAY SAMURA==== According to UAT Samura (2012) Sorie Wullay after the returning from Futa Jallon, he contributed greatly for the protection of Falaba territory he made his own spiritual input during the cotton tree planting process and make Falaba indestructible against thunder, witch gun and other physical attack. So, when Manga Denka passed away the elders left with no choice but to elect the brave Son of Manga Dansa as the successor. He fought and won many wars. During his regime the Konos in the southern part of Sierra Leone invaded the Kurankos at the northern part of Sierra Leone in one of their oldest settlements Barawa Firawa, they were attacking them on regular basis, by forcefully collecting their properties. The Firawa Chief at that time father of Mansa Kama birth name Yirah travelled to Sorie Wullay seeking for help to stop the invasion, Sorie Wullay mobilized from both Freeya and Sulima to fight against the Konos. They succussed and gave back the territory to the Kurankos, the Kurankos said to the Konos “maa kono yan” meaning let them wait for us there. During that invasion the Konos inherited their name “Kono”. After the war the Kurankos decided to award Sorie Wullay, the king of Firawa gave his daughter Meta (younger sister of Mansa Kama) to Sorie Wullay as a compensation for good work done, Meta gave birth to the greatest King Sewa of Sulima. ==AFTER THE DEATH OF SORIE WULLAY==

Few years ago, Sorie Wullay passed away. The biggest contenders were Njinu Wullay the first son of Sorie Wullay and Sannah Gbay his younger brother. The elders of Sulima Decided to choose Sannah Gbay as the successor over his elder brother Njinu Wullay. When Njinu Wullay lost to his younger brother in Falaba, he travelled to his uncle Nama Jang, Nama Jang gave birth to Hobodugu and Ballamaxa. Nama Jang is the original founder of Gberia Fortombu and Gberia Timbakor. Hobodugu was staying in Gberia Fortombu and his younger brother Ballamaxa invented Gberia Timbakor. Njinu Wullay son of Sorie Wullay families are currently in Gberia Fortombu called Samaya, there was a time when the Hobodugu families were unable to produces a boy child to take the mantle of leadership. The elders decided to give the mantle of leadership to the grandson of Njinu Wullay name Manga Musa, as a caretaker till they produce a male child. Hobodugu are the original owners of the Gberia Fortombu township.

====MANGA SANNAH GBAY==== According to UAT Samura (2012) Sannah Gbay succeeded his father Sorie Wullay Samura, He continued the hardworking and diplomatic relation started from his father. He is the one that gave the Dembelia Sinkunia territory to the Mansarays and help to expand the Yalunka Chiefdoms in Sierra Leone. According to Robinson (2013, pg.82) “However, a report from 1949 reports that the split occurred earlier in 1860, likely as part of the Hubu separatist movement.” According to British report Sulima and Kabelia was separated during the Hubu Separatist movement, earlier 1860 during the leadership of Sannah Gbay. There is no record by the British on the leadership of Kabelia before amalgamation in 1949. According to my source Kabelia is the combination of two clans, Semithya traced their root from the son of Sorie Manga named Yerifather, while Ganya clan traced their root from Dauda Sahatay, from Bundu a town that was destroyed during the Futa Jallon Jihad, they are called the Bunduka, these two clans joined together to form the Kabelia Chiefdom. Few years ago, Sannah Gbay passed away. He was succeeded by his younger brother Meta Sewa. ==MALI EMPIRE== According to Kamara (2010) The Yalunka and Susu were leading the Mali Empire, before battle of Krina or Siege of Karina in 1235, After the battle of Karina Sumanguru Kanté  travelled to one of their Settlement Sosso, Mandinka prince Sundiata Keita the winner, decided to band people from speaking Yalunka in the Empire and declared Mandinka as the official language, Some Yalunkas accepted while other Yalunkas refused to speak Mandinka they travelled to Yalunkadu the present day Guinea, Futa Jallon  to build another empire, while Sumanguru Kante took the territory name Sosso as the name of their dialect. When Samorie Turay took over the Empire, Soma Wujei reported to Samorie Turay that the Yalunkas have built another Empire in Falaba and they are still speaking Yalunka, Samorie Turay mobilized his Sofa group to attack the Yalunkas under the leadership of King Sewa.

====KING SEWA/ META SEWA RULLED FROM (1879-1890)==== According to UAT Samura (2012) When Sannah Gbay passed away, nobody was ready to accept the throne of Sulima, the Elders requested for the present of Meta Sewa, He was at his Garden called Aliya, he rejected the offer twice and the third time the people took a hammock and collected him and he handed over the village to his younger brother Meta Alie Samura. According to Lipshcutz (1973, pg. 67): In 1884, Falaba was attacked under an epic siege by the Sofa, from present day Guinea, “The seige lasted five months until the food supply was exhausted. At that point Sewa [then chief of Sulima] and the royal family secured themselves in the powder magazine and, declaring their refusal to submit to the Sofa, put the magazine to torch. The Sulima state ceased to exist.” He refused to succumb to the Sofas, King Sewa told the Mandinkas (Sofa) headed by Samorie Turay that “There is no other King on earth after me is my creator God almighty, nobody should hold my hand or control my decision”. Robinson (2013, pg.82) also reported that “In either case, as the British drove off the Sofa in the early 1890s these chiefdoms were established as native administrations.”. After the Sofa invasion, King Sewa orders the traditional herbalists to predict his successor, they said his successor mother name is Saio, at that time Manga Fasineh 1 was the only son from the ruling house that carry a mother’s name Saio but because of his age, they handed the power to his uncle (Younger brother of his Father) Bintu Bockarie to succeed King Sewa. ====MANGA BINTU BOCKARIE RULLED (1890-1892)==== Robinson (2013, pg.83) “Bockaria: This house traces the lineage of a brother of Salifu Samura.”. Note; the Salifu Samura they are referring to is Sorie Wullay. When King Sewa passed away, Manga Bockarie was appointed as the King of Sulima. He ruled for two and half years and passed away he was succeeded by the recommended King before King Sewa passed away Saio Fasineh.

====MANGA SAIFASINEH/MANGA FASINEH 1 RULLED (1892-1895)====

Robinson (2013, pg.83) “Sanukunria This family traces the lineage of a son of a younger brother of Fasineh named Sanukunria, but is also a part of the Samura family.” This is also one of the sons of Sorie Wullay which the British documented as Salifu. After the death of Manga Bockarie, the land was handed over to Manga Fasineh 1 as recommended by the traditional herbalist. He ruled for three and half years. He passed away and was succeeded by the first appointed and recognized Paramount chief from the colonial masters Falaba Dinka/Linka also known as Sotigie Linka. ====MANGA FALABA DINKA/SOTIGIE LINKA RULED IN 1895====

According to Robinson (2013, pg.83) British report state that “The first chief recognized by the British was Falaba-Dinka, who was appointed by the British after the Sofa invasion. After his death in 1895.”. Robinson reference this statement to the Unpublished Ph.D Dissertation written by Lipschutz, Mark (1973) title “Northeast Sierra Leone after 1884: Responses to the Samorian Invasions and British Colonialism,” this an Unpublished Ph.D. Dissertation, Department of History, University of California at Los Angeles. According to source and British documentation, Sotigie Linka, British were calling him Falaba Dinka, was appointed by the colonial masters not by the elders of Sulima, Sotigie Linka was the grandson of Sorie Wullay/Sulifu Samura. After he was appointed as the Paramount Chief in 1895 Sierra Leone was under colonial leadership decision from the colonial masters cannot be questioned, so the elders in Sulima decided to go into agreement with Sotigie Linka to hand over the leadership to his father Manga Salifu 1 (brother of his father) and when Manga Fasineh passed away he will take over the land again, because of tradition and respect Manga Sotigie linka handed the mantle to his father Manga Salifu and Migrated to Gberia Timbakor to settle near Balamaxa son of Nama Jang. The family members were not happy with this decision made by Manga Sotigie Linka, the Family members put him under house arrest unknowing to the colonial masters, they reported to the colonial masters that he has passed away, Sotigie Linka was brutally murder by his people under house arrest in Gberia Timbakor. The brothers of Sotigie Linka migrated to Gberia Timbakor from Falaba just to assassinate him leave no evidence untouched. There is currently a Linka family in Gberia Timbakor. Around 2010 during the Radio interview held at Radia Rurale locale de Faranah frequency 88.2, Foday Alpha Kamara one of the Yalunka most outstanding Historian measured his name and said his families are currently residing in Gberia Timbakor and his brother Foreh Linka which families are residing in Dantilia. According to UAT Samura (2012) also confirmed that Samaya in Gberia Fortombu and Linkaya in Gberia Timbakor are all native born of Falaba and they are also related to the throne of Falaba but they are the Children, and their fathers are in Falaba. Manga Sontigie Linka was succeeded by Manga Salifu 1. ====MANGA SALIFU SAMURA, I RULED (1915-1949)==== According to Robinson (2013, pg.82)” At that point, colonial records report that Salifu Samura, a court messenger, became chief by unanimous agreement of the chiefdom council.” Salifu Samura is one of the triple twins born by Sorie Wullay, the name of the ruling house Guluya which mean in Yalunka Twin family. This house traces the lineage of a son of Salifu Samura/Sorie Wullay. This is the most influential and blessed ruling house, which one of their sons secured the blessing from his elder brother King Sewa during the Sofa invasion. During the Sofa invasion there was totally a food shortage he was traveling to the Kurankos to secure food for King Sewa. King Sewa said, “with this your relentless effort to feed me and my family, your lineage will continue to inherit the property of our great grandfather Sorie Manga.” Guluya have produced the largest number of paramount Chief till up to date. When Manga Salifu I passed away. The chiefdoms were then amalgamated as Sulima in 1949. At that point Fore Samura who had previously been Paramount Chief of Kabelia was elected chief of Sulima. Manga Foreh was succeeded by Manga Fasineh II.

====MANGA FASINEH 2 RULED==== This is also from Sannah Wuria ruling house. He was hardworking and highly loved by his people and built a strong cultural relationship with other Chiefdoms and dialects like the Kurankos, Limbas and Mandingos. He was the first paramount chief to construct Mosque in Falaba Town, with high quality blocks. He passed away and was succeeded by his brother Sannah Bombay/Salifu Samura II another son from Guluya ruling house.

====MANGA SALIFU SAMURA, II (SANNAH BOMBAY)==== Manga Salifu II was also from the Guluya ruling house. He created a very strong relationship between the Yalunkas and their long-lasting rivals that have been fighting over religious, territories and supremacy. He appointed Abubakarr Leleh Shaw as the Judicial head of the Chiefdom (Local Court Chairman). He was renamed by the Fullahs as Salifu Barrie. He created many Fullah Sections in Kabelia and Sulima Chiefdom, Sections like Leleh 1 and 2, Dara, Koindu Kura etc. His main rival was A.Y. Samura. He was rejected by the Yalunkas and the Yalunkas presented Issa Samura (AY Samura) to the then President Siaka P steven as their Yalunka Chief. Youths and Elders took AY Samura right across the Chiefdom on a hammock. During his time another war declared by AY Samura against the Fullahs, which lead to loss of life and properties from both sides, including legendary Fullah Warrior Abubakarr Leleh Shaw. He was succeeded by Roman Manga Salifu Samura III.

====ROMAN MANGA SALIFU SAMURA, III RULED (2002-2016)====

Roman PC Manga Salifu Samura was also from the Guluya ruling house. His household name was Bomba Sannah Samura and catholic baptized name was Bernard Samura. He was the first Christian to take the mantle of leadership in Sulima Chiefdom, he was regarded as peace Ambassador, the most peaceful Paramount Chief in the history of Sulima Chiefdom, with no single report of Violence, protest or war. He created more Yalunka Sections by dividing Falaba Town into two sections; Falaba 1 and 2, divided Ganya Town into two Sections, Gberia Timbakor into two Sections; Gberia and Timbakor Section, he also created Limbaya, Kambaia and Biribaya Section etc. Education was one of his priorities, through the Sababu Education project, CRS and other developmental aids he was able to establish Primary and Secondary School in many Towns and Villages. He passed away on June 5, 2016, due to a certain illness. People were very sad and even shocked by his death. He was succeeded by Dr Manga Salifu Salito Samura IV.

====DR MANGA SALIFU SALITO SAMURA IV (2021- UP TO DATE)====

Dr Salifu Salito Samura is also from the Guluya ruling house. He is one of the most Educated Paramount Chief in Sierra Leone, He attended the St Francis Secondary School and pursue his Bachelor at Njala University. He got his Ph.D from Walden University-PhD Student in Public Health from Osseo small city in Hennepin, Minnesota, at the United States of America. He was heading the department of public health at the University of Makeni and currently lecturing at Njala University. He is developmentally oriented personality and policy implementer. Less than three months in office he is currently constructing a police station for the security of the people in Sulima Chiefdom. LONG LIVE OUR PARAMOUT CHIEF, LONG LIVE SULIMA CHIEFDOM