Maad a Sinig Mahecor Joof

Further information: kingdom of Sine
Maad a Sinig Mahecor Joof
King of Sine. The antelope is the totem the Joof family, symbolizing grace, royalty, wisdom, hardwork and protector in Serer mythology.
Reign 1924–1969
Crowned king of Sine on 28 January 1924[1] - died : 3 August 1969
Predecessor Maad a Sinig Kumba Ndoffene Fa Ndeb Joof
Full name
Maad a Sinig Mahecor Joof
House The Royal House of Semou Njekeh Joof, founded by Maad Semou Njekeh Joof.
Born Kingdom of Sine,
present-day :  Senegal
Religion Serer religion

Maad a Sinig Mahecor Joof (English spelling in the Gambia; variations : Maad a Sinig Mahécor Diouf - French in Senegal; Maad Siin or Mad a Sinig Mahekor Juuf, also Maye Koor Juuf - in Serer-Sine language[2]) was the last king to rule the Serer Kingdom of Sine now part of independent Senegal. Maad a Sinig means king of Sine in Serer language. He reigned from 1924 until his death in 1969 (3 August 1969, he died at Diakhao[3]). After his death, the Kingdom of Sine was incorporated into independent Senegal.[4]

Royal House

Maad a Sinig Mahecor Joof came from the Joof paternal dynasty of Sine and Saloum, from The Royal House of Semou Njekeh Joof (the third and last royal house founded by the Joof family of Sine-Saloum, founded in the 18th century by Maad Semou Njekeh Joof). On his maternal line, he is a member of the Guelowar dynasty.[5]

Legacy

By 1969, Maad Mahecor Joof although retired, was the only ruler in Senegal who possessed real power. The Serer kingdoms such as Sine and Saloum were the only pre-colonial kingdoms to survive up to 1969 (six years after Senegal gained independent from France). The Maad a Sinig (King of Sine) was very committed in the preservation of Serer culture and tradition. During his reign, the Kingdom of Sine was economically prosperous. Indebtedness and migration was rare in Sine than it was elsewhere. He performed the traditional role of the Maad a Sinig, presiding over the religious affairs of his subjects and became the focal point of the Sine-Sine (inhabitants of Sine).[6]

In one of his last ever State address to his subjects regarding the oral history of Sine, he stated :

“ I, Mahecor Diouf, am the bearer of traditions of Sine and the heir of Maissa Waly Dione. (Maad a Sinig Maysa Wali, the first Guelowar to rule in Sine, in c. 1350[7]). ”

—Maad a Sinig Mahecor Joof,[8]

See also

Notes

  1. ↑ Le Soleil
  2. ↑ Other variants : Bur Sine Mahecor Diouf, Bour Sine Mahecor Diouf, Mahékor Diouf, Mahecor Joof, Mayekor, etc.
  3. ↑ (French) Faye, Louis Diène. Mort et Naissance le monde Sereer. Les Nouvelles Editions Africaines, 1983. ISBN 2-7236-0868-9. p 59
  4. ↑ Villalón, Leonardo Alfonso. Islamic society and state power in Senegal: disciples and citizens in Fatick. Cambridge University Press, 1995. ISBN 0-521-46007-7. p 53
  5. ↑ Diouf, Niokhobaye. pp 722-732
  6. ↑ Klein, pp 203-204
  7. ↑ For Maad a Sinig Maysa Wali's reigne see: Sarr. p 21
  8. ↑ For Maad a Sinig Mahecor Joof's quote, see : Klein, p 235

Bibliography


Preceded by
Maad a Sinig Kumba Ndoffene Fa Ndeb Joof		 Maad a Sinig
1924–1969 		Succeeded by
None