2012/01/01 by Andreas Massing · 1 citation
Agricultural and Biological Sciences · Social Sciences · #African Studies and Ethnography #African Studies and Geopolitics #Agriculture and Rural Development Research #Ancient history #Archaeology #Biology #Diaspora #Ethnology #Geography #History #Islam #Kingdom #Law #Lineage (genetic) #Paleontology #Political science #Structural basin
paper · pdf · doi:10.4000/etudesafricaines.16965
published in Cahiers d études africaines 205, 57-101 (Éditions de l'EHESS)
openalex publication_date 2012/01/01 · openalex created_date 2016/06/24 · openalex updated_date 2026/05/21
AbstractThe Kamaghate lineage which claims to belong to the Diakhanke tradition of Haji Salim Souaré and the Soninke clerical lineage of Diaby-Gassama has held the imamate in Begho and expanded with the Gonja into the Western Volta basin. Its roots can be followed to centres of Islamic diaspora such as Djenne, Odienne, Samatiguila, Tiemé, Kong, Bouna and Bondoukou. It forms part of an Eastern Diakhanke branch which has introduced Islam into the Volta Basin, the Kamaghate being the principal actors in the western half, while the Baghayogho have established themselves more in the eastern half, among the Mole-Dagbane speakers. Islamic missionary efforts can thus be shown to be well organized by African muslims, in establishing specialist “maraboutic” lineages and attributing them exclusive spheres for the purpose of converting the non-Moslem populations of the Sahel and savannah regions, and even gaining influence as court advisors in the kingdoms of the forest zone. Thus the Kamaghate also hold the imamate for all Muslims at the Ashanti capital, while a special karamoko serves the court alone.