| Total population |
|---|
| 3.5 million |
| Regions with significant populations |
*2,042,287 in Guinea
|
| Languages |
| Religion |
|
Islam (99.9%) |
| Related ethnic groups |
The Soso (endonym, Susu; in French, Soussou) are a major Mande ethnic group living primarily in Guinea. Smaller communities are also located in the neighboring countries of Sierra Leone, Senegal and Mali. The Susu are descendants of the thirteenth century Mali Empire. They moved to their present location after 1725, when the Fulani attempted to dominate them and managed to convert them to Islam and some of them converted to dangot community.
The Susu people are a group of farmers, traders and fishermen. The Susu live mainly in the coastal areas of Guinea, Sierra Leone, Senegal and Mali. They tend to live where there are many marshes and waterways. Their houses are made from either mud or cement blocks or whatever is available. In the city, the roofs are made of iron. In the rural areas the roofs are still made from straw.
Each Susu village is led by a chief and a group of elders. The leaders are in control of about 3,000 to 6,000 people. They are called wise men because they also resolve fights or conflicts between the people. Their homes are often very large to hold many people.
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The Susu often favor marriages between cousins and they live in extended family group. Family is very important in Susu society. Polygyny is a common practice among Susu men; a Susu man is allowed under Islamic law to have four wives. Although good relationships are valued, there are many conflicts with neighbors, especially when dealing with money or property. Thus, each village has an elected chief to help resolve conflicts. The men do not spend much time with the rest of the family. They hunt all day and sleep in rooms designated for the men. The women gather wood and wild food, rear children and keep the village clean. Each women has her own room or corner of the hut. The children will grow up with many fathers and mothers.
Their language, called Sosoxi by native speakers; Soso or Soussou by others, serves as a major trade language in the Guinean capital city of Conakry, Dubreka, Kindia, Forécariah as well as other towns around those four large cities. The Susu language is almost indistinguishable from the language of the Yalunka. Because of these linguistic similarities, some people think that at one time the Susu and Yalunka were one group, living in the Fouta Djallon region of Guinea. It is thought that Fulani invaders separated the two groups, with the Susu moving southward and absorbing other peoples in the process.
The Susu are primarily farmers, with rice and millet being their two principal crops. Mangoes, pineapples, and coconuts are also grown. The women make various kinds of palm oil from palm nuts. They also make peanut oil and soap. All of the family members, including the children, are expected to do their share of the manual labor necessary for sustaining an adequate lifestyle.
In addition to farming, fishing and salt production are important enterprises to the Susu economy. Salt is produced during the dry season, and it can take up to three months of intense work to produce anything substantial. The Susa are also well known as merchants and craftsmen of leather and metal.
Ancient Susu houses were typically made of either mud or cement blocks, depending on the resources available. They are generally quite large in order to accommodate extended families. In the cities, roofs are most often made of corrugated iron; whereas in the rural areas, they are usually made of thatch. Most cooking is done over open fires. Electricity is scarce throughout the region, even in the capital city, many go days without any power. Clean water is generally lacking in the capital, but in more rural areas is not considered a big problem. Humanitarian aid organizations are trying to help the Susu by digging wells throughout the area.
Although Western clothes can be obtained in the markets, most Susu women seem to prefer African dress. They usually wear African-style skirts that reach to their ankles. Older men wear loose-fitting cotton robes, but the younger men prefer Western-style clothing.
Over 99% of Susu are Muslim, and Islam dominates their religious culture and practices. Most Islamic holidays are observed, the most important being the celebration that follows Ramadan (a month of prayer and fasting). The Susu also combine their Islamic faith with traditional beliefs. The believe that many ghosts, spirits and gods all inhabit the same land and that witches have the power to change into animals and cause harm to their villages. They make beautiful masks from carvings which they use in their celebrations and dances. Susu have a fear of black magic, curses and other witchcraft practices.
Over 75 percent of the total Susu population live in Guinea, particularly in and around the Guinean capital Conakry. The Susu predominate in the central region of Guinea and theirs is the most widely spoken language in the capital Conakry and other cities in central Guinea, including Kindia, Forekaria and Koya. The Sierra Leonean Susu live primarily in Kambia District where they form the second largest ethnic group after the Temne at about 28% of the population.