|
|
History of Slavery
There is still a vivid memory of the times of slavery among many older people of the Northern Mandaras. Being sold into slavery was a matter of local involvment and it was not uncommon that somebody of the same family was given away into slavery by other members of his family (Kosack 1992).
The Mandara
The Sultanate of Mandara was historically the most important slave raider of the Northern Mandaras. There is evidence that the Mandara originated from the Gwoza Hills (Muller-Kosack) . Their influence covered, for several hundred years, the whole of Northern Mandaras (Mohammadou 1982).
Hamman Yaji
Hamman Yaji, a Fulbe, was the last slave raider of the Northern Mandaras. He was arrested by the British in 1927. His diary was published in 1995 (Vaughan et al). It is historically unclear whether it was the suspicion of Mahdism or the complains from montagnards which led to his arrest (Muller-Kosack 1999).
|