The facts about kotokoli Tem history HISTORY OF THE KINGDOM OF TCHAOUDJO GENERAL INTRODUCTION If it is true, as Ouro Tchabu or wuro tchabu Author thinker writer says, "No one has the right to erase a page from the history of a people because a people without history is a world without soul ", it is also necessary, even essential, for each people to become aware that it is necessary to reconstruct their own history. Indeed, Eugene Pittard paraphrasing Hegel did not write in 1953 that: "The African races proper (that of Egypt and a part of Africa Minor aside), have
participated in history as historians understand it ... I do not refuse to accept that we have in our veins a few drops of African blood (from African to skin probably yellow) but we must confess that what he can survive is very difficult to find. Therefore, only two human races living in Africa have played an effective role in universal history: in the first place and in a considerable way the Egyptians then the peoples of northern Africa "It is with the aim of breaking the the lucubrations of those Western
, the scientific interest that we find in such studies is that of helping to reconstruct the global history of Togo in general and that of the tem country in particular. To clarify the meaning of our work, we will say that the dates that define our research theme are significant. Indeed, 1880 is the date on which the kingdom really took off during the reign of Ouro-Djobo Boukari called "semôh" of Kparatao. It is also the date on which he took power after the war that would have opposed Yelivo. 1914 is the date on which the Germans leave Togo after their defeat of the "Great War" giving way to the French. After this presentation, a series of questions arise: How did the settlement of the kingdom take place and what evolution did its people experience from 1880 to 1914? Under what conditions does it come into being? What evolution does he know? How can one explain the sedentarization of the royal power of the Tchaoudjo at Kparatao? Who were the main actors of his training? What roles did semassi play in slave trade? What were the changes caused in the kingdom in contact with the Germans? What role does it play in the new context? Indeed, the history of Togo has been the subject of several researches by foreign
, we have been confronted with specific information gaps on our theme. The obstacles encountered are related to the very precarious state and dilapidation of the written documents (especially the archives), the scarcity of documentary sources relating to the populations of North-Togo, the lack of financial and material means. As for the field investigations, the task was not easy at all. The obstacles encountered are related to the lack of resource persons because most of our informants are content to repeat the versions transmitted by the ancestors or simply try to forge their own version of the facts. We were also confronted with the reluctance of our informants who
. It is thanks to this method that we have arrived at the results gathered in this memoir which we present in two large parts: The first part entitled origin and framework of the constitution of the kingdom comprises three chapters: first, the general presentation of the country tem and history of settlement, then the constitution of the kingdom and finally, the political and economic organization of the kingdom. The second part titled the militarization of the kingdom includes two chapters including: the militarization and the various conflicts of the kingdom and the Chaudjo under German rule. But before getting to the heart of the matter, it seems important for us to understand our work to explain the use of a certain number of concepts. Thus, the choice of the concept "kingdom" to the detriment of the concepts "chiefdoms" and "confederation" is significant.
depending on the region, the influence of Islam is very important. We call tem country, the territory on which lives a population whose members are traditionally recognized as the "Temba" that is to say people who speak the same language tem. The country stretches from Kéouda (south of Fazao) to beyond Bafilo. From east to west, it extends over the Malfakassa mountain ridge from Tabalo to Kri-Kri (Adjéïdè) (see map n ° 2, p12). The territory thus defined now includes several prefectures. Two prefectures register entirely in the country tem. It is the prefecture of Tchaoudjo (chief town Sokode)
the prefecture of Assoli (capital Bafilo). Currently both homes tem, Tchaoudjo of approximately 2549 Km2 and Assoli 937,5Km2 cover less than 4000Km2 on the 56600Km2 that represents the national territory. The Kotokoli are also found in three other prefectures where they constitute minorities: Bassar in the west, Tchamba in the east and Sotouboua and Blitta in the south. Apart from these cases, there are Tem elsewhere in Kozah, Ogou. In addition, there are many Kotokoli living outside Togo. They are in the villages of Alédjo-Koura, Akaradè and Semere in the Republic of Benin, in some localities of Ghana: Ahamassou, Kédjébi, Yendi, Koumassi, Accra etc. 1-2. The dominant geographical features The relief of the tem
and cultivated areas represent more than 10% of the regional area. 1-5. Wildlife As for wildlife, it is very rich. It is confined to reserves or classified forests. There are ruminants, carnivores, rodents like lions,
: JC Froelich, believes that the oldest inhabitants of the country are voltaic language Lama and belong to the group "Paleonigritics". Captain Sicre, speaking in the same direction, wrote: "The most
, arrived by the axis Mango-Kanté and settling in the mountains of Atakora to found the village of Tabalo where after some time of stay, the time to assimilate linguistically with the natives then spread in the abandoned plain by the Kabyè ". It is obvious that they are of Gourma origin but they are not at the origin of the foundation of Tabalo as claimed by the oral tradition and JC Froelich. Some Tem clans lived there before their arrival. These were later dominated by the Mola. In addition, it is apparent from the analysis of the information collected in the field that the Mola found the indigenous people on their arrival in Tabalo even though it is difficult for them to identify them. 2-3. The other Tem clans Apart from these indigenous clans and the Mola, there are other Tem clans. This is the case of Dikeni, Tagbabia, Wari, Nintche, Louwo, Sandou, Bougoum etc. - The Dikéni: They represent a non-negligible clan entity and are part of the natives of the kingdom. They are from Dantcho in Bassar Prefecture. They are
found everywhere in countries tem. They are at the origin of the foundation of the towns like Kolina, Aguidagbadè, Kédjikadjo, Sabarignadè where they hold the chieftainships. They are also real blacksmiths. -The Nintché: they are true hunters and have left their original village called Bowouda in search of game places. Bowouda is located north-east of Sokodé at the foot of Mount Koronga. They are also found at Alibi II on the road to Tchamba. Nowadays, it is they who enthrone the chiefs in Tchamba. -The Sandou-Bougoum: These two clans have the same origin which is Wassarabou located on the Kparatao-Agoulou road. At present they constitute two distinct clans. The Sandou are at the origin of the foundation of Wassaradè while the Bougoum are at the origin of the foundation of Koumondé, located on the national road No1 between the fault of Alédjo and Bafilo. Nevertheless, they still observe the same dietary prohibitions and some ritual ceremonies. -The Adjouti or Laoumbia: the people (bia) of the forest (laou) came from the regions of Adélé. They founded the Kpalada chiefdom and they are also found in Alédjo- Koura, Kambolé, Bago and others. 2-4. The migrant clans At the end of the 19th century, the kingdom gave its hospitality to foreign traders. Among these, we note the clans of Sudanese origin like Touré (at the origin of the introduction of Islam), the Fofana, the Traoré, the Cissé, the Konaté etc. There are also Hausa clans like the Mende and the original Dagomba clans like the Daro. Conclusion In general, we will say with regard to the origin and settlement of the kingdom that on the one hand, it was populated by Tem clans before the arrival of the Mola. Thus, the problem of autochthony no longer arises when one refers to information collected in the field. Nevertheless, the Molas were at the origin of the foundation of the kingdom. Later, with their migration to the plains of Kara and Mo, they found other, older clans. So they lived together in these new sites. Other foreign clans settled there too, but the Mola
dominated them all without exception. However, the Mola were not Muslims when they arrived in the area. This puts into question the
and the oral tradition, several causes have helped to trigger the departure of the Mola to the fertile plains of Kara and Mô. The first to leave Tabalo were the Mola followed by Koli, Nawo and Louwo. We take the natural, economic and demographic causes. 1-2-1. Natural causes Tabalo was a village located on Mount Malfakassa. For this purpose, with its frequent scree of rocks, it constituted a danger for the population. In addition, according to our informant, the site was infested with ferocious animals such as lions, panthers, jackals and venomous snakes. To avoid any danger, the populations had to emigrate towards the plain. Apart from natural causes, there are the economic causes that have affected the populations. 1-2-2. Economic causes The overexploitation of small plots of arable land, available around the village, had led to the rapid depletion of arable land. The
to slave riders. Moreover, the Mola would not have settled in the plains of Kara and Mo if they had been driven out of Tabalo by slave raids because the plain offered no guarantee of security. One can not admit either with Captain Sicre who maintains that: "the populations had descended in the plain that of the day when the European presence had guaranteed the peace in the medium", because this migration had occurred well before the penetration European in the hinterland more precisely in the kingdom under the reign of Ouro-Djobo Boukari of Paratao in May 1889. However, all the causes defended by the oral tradition seem to us to be credible, especially since most of the Tem are farmers and because of this they need more fertile land for their various crops. The occupation of new sites has been progressive and finally leads to the birth of the kingdom. 1-3. The gradual occupation and birth of the kingdom The descendants of Gadaou after having spent a long time at their father's side in Tabalo, did not emigrate at the same time and did not occupy their sites at the same time. Some have directly occupied their sites while others have made stops at their brothers before going to occupy their respective sites. 1-3-1 The chronological occupation of the sites The researchers and the oral
and prosperity for the kingdom. Moreover, the power is rotational without being able to designate two successive sovereigns in the same village or lineage. This under the arbitration of the Daro clan of Tchalo. However, there is no dethronement procedure as was the case in other parts of Africa, especially in the Tchagga in
. But these rules were violated twice in regard to the supreme power of the Chaudjo: on the one hand, by Ouro-Djobo Boukari of Kparatao and on the other hand, by Komah. The Temudjo tem kingdom has retained its integrity and influence over the other peoples of the region through its political and economic organization. Chapter 3: THE POLITICAL AND ECONOMIC ORGANIZATION OF THE KINGDOM Introduction Let us recall that the constituent villages of the kingdom were founded by the Molas with the support of the native populations. Like any state
, Temudjo's Tem kingdom was well organized socially, politically and economically. Most indigenous and non-indigenous communities occupied specific functions in the kingdom. 1- Socio-political structure of the kingdom Like the Confederation of Delos in Greek antiquity, where Athens had played a leading role, Kparatao also played the same role in the Temudjo tem kingdom. This could only have been possible thanks to the charisma and the strong personality of Ouro-Djobo Boukari who was the sixth Uro-esso of the kingdom. 1-1. The social organization of the kingdom Regarding the social organization, note that the kingdom was composed of a heterogeneous population where there is the mixing between the clans. Each clan had its specific role that it plays in society. Thus, only the Mola could access the position of ouro-esso. The Nawo first and then the Daro played an essential role of arbitration. Since the origin of the kingdom, the right of the choice of the sovereign was held by the nawo clan. But during the reign of Ouro-Kura of Birini, a Nawo would have courted one of the women of the sovereign. This act made them lose their role of arbitration for the benefit of the daro clan. Touré Safara on their side were at the origin of the introduction of Islam in the kingdom. These Toure Safara with the Traore and the Fofana have the right to the Imamate. In
of the customary law of designation of the sovereign of Tchaoudjo by this royal village. This is explained by the fact that, on the one hand, Kparatao had usurped the power that normally had to return to Yelivo and, on the other hand, by the sedentarization of the royal power of Tchaoudjo in the said village. These two events are contrary to the customary law which states that
travelers arrived by the "Kotocolé road". These exchanges were between the inhabitants of the region on the one hand and with foreign traders on the other hand. 2-5-2. Business partners The inhabitants of Tchaoudjo exchanged their products with their neighbors in the region and with foreigners coming from outside. Thus weaving products are exported to neighboring countries: Bassar, Kabiyè country, Anyanga. Their trade also reaches the Adjouti, the Adélé and especially the dagomba. In addition to the slave trade, the tem country was a hub of trade between the caravaneers of northern Nigeria and present-day Benin. Various products were the basis of these exchanges. 2-5-3.The products traded Among the products that were traded, we note the products of the forge as daba, traditional rifles and knives. There is also rock salt, the textiles, baskets and copper jewelery of the Ashanti country were also exchanged. The Fulbe offered milk that they sold to the inhabitants of Tchaoudjo. But the currency of exchange was the cowrie "lidedozè" in tem. The kingdom also participated in inter-African trade through its products such as cotton fabrics, about which Binger writes: "The Kotokole loincloth, which is also brought to the Dagomba markets, is a white cotton daycloth." Speaking of the exchanges of the kingdom, Gayibor quotes Adam Mischlich (Swiss missionary of the Basel Mission in July 1897) in these terms: "At Didaouré, on Friday, a large market is held (...). We even sell Turkish pants and beautiful silk and velvet fabrics from the coast. We also sell kaffa, yams, peanuts, beans, sorghum, maize, pepper, shea, salt, meat, wood, embroidery thread, matches, pearls, glassware, ointments, scented oils and many other things ". War captives and slaves were also
thanks to the participation of foreign populations. In reality, there was no capital of the kingdom, as Fr. Alexander wrote, because there was no single royal palace for the whole kingdom. Each village had its palace of its own and where any new ruler from the village could live there. We will analyze in the following lines the conditions that favored the militarization of Chaudjo. Part Two: THE MILITARIZATION OF THE KINGDOM Introduction The kingdom was at its peak before the arrival of the Germans. In contact with them, Kparatao held supreme power with Ouro-Djobo Boukari as ruler. Like any state formation, the kingdom was originally equipped with an armed force composed of the natives. Its mission was to ensure the security of the kingdom and defend its interests. Tchaoudjo will play a leading role in the conquest of the hinterland by the Germans. This part will be devoted to the study of the conflicts in which the kingdom took part and the latter's role in the conquest and stabilization of the German colonial power. Chapter 4: MILITARIZATION AND THE DIFFERENT CONFLICT OF THE KINGDOM Introduction The kingdom needed an armed force not only to protect the population against external attacks but also to ensure its internal security. Thus with the intention of extending its hegemony over the whole region, the kingdom organized
. Indeed, according to P. Alexander, it was Birini who declared war on Kparatao since he wrote: "This revolution provoked a real civil war, led by the royal lineage of Birini, whose leader tried in vain to seize the her ". However, according to Gayibor, it was Kparatao who attacked Birini since he wrote: "Birini also, although one of the founders of the kingdom, paid for the rise of Djobo. Contrary to these two versions, it appears from our investigation that this conflict had of course opposed Kparatao to Yelivo and that in the history of the kingdom, no conflict had opposed Kparatao to Birini. The two antagonistic villages Kparatao and Yelivo are among the seven constituent villages of the kingdom. According to Ouro Esso's designation criteria, it was intended that the power should be rotational. But since 1800, Birini held power with Ouro Koura as ruler. Indeed, at his death, power should return to Yelivo. But Kparatao, out of a desire for usurpation, wanted to take possession of it, which Birini claimed for Yelivo. It was in this atmosphere of misunderstanding that Kparatao declared war on Yelivo. To satisfy his ambition, Kparatao attacked Yelivo. Thus, Adam Méatchi on solicitation of Kparatao led this expedition which ended in the defeat of Yelivo. This conflict would have made the opinion of Ouro-Akpo Kassim, seven dead among the Yelivo fighters and many displaced. Thus, the Kparatao fighters won the victory. In this climate of insecurity and mistrust, the sà, the carved seat symbol of power, was hidden in Tabalo. Shortly after, the throne was brought back to Kparatao with our new ruler Ouro-Djobo Boukari. Given the insecurity that reigned in the area that the new ruler co-opted the mercenaries djerma. These allowed the consolidation of the authority of Ouro-Djobo Boukari. Slavery traffic increased later with the arrival of semassi. 2-2-2 The slave raids Very soon after its founding, the kingdom embarked on the slave trade, which will experience a great deal with the arrival of the Semassi. Indeed, the slave trade was an economic activity before the arrival of Semassi. Thus, slavery has always existed among the Tem. It took place between the Kotokoli themselves or between the Kotokoli and the foreigners. The stakes were such that those who had many children and could not feed, could willingly sell a few to stock up on food and be able to survive. On this subject, Verdier writes: "Bafilo is an important place of commerce where you come in particular to sell kabiyè children in case of famine". Moreover, prisoners of war became slaves in the service of the kingdom. Thereby, they worked for him. They went in large numbers carrying salt from Atakpamé to Kparatao. Moreover, the sovereign could exchange them for export products brought by foreigners (horse, harness, etc.). Becoming more and more important, this slave trade was accentuated with the appearance of the semasi. Recall that the Semassi were armed horsemen who came from the Boucle du Niger and were co-opted by Ouro-Djobo Boukari of Kparatao. Subsequently, they will embark on the slave trade by sweeping the populations whose most vulnerable were children, women or even men. These riders made expeditions along the field tracks and farms and removed them to captives. The latter were washed in a river called yomaboua before selling them to
finally led to the effective occupation of the kingdom by the Germans in 1897. The role of the kingdom can be understood only by studying the history of the German conquest of the hinterland on the one hand, and by examining the role of the Semassi in this conquest on the other. 1- History of the German colonial conquest of the hinterland Following their contact with the Chaudjo, the Germans multiplied their missions in the kingdom. Indeed, their intention was to do everything in their power to precede the French in the occupation of Tchaoudjo and this by signing treaties with it. 1-1.The story of the conquest of the kingdom. The explorer and linguist Gottlob Adolf Krause was the first German to travel in the kingdom personally with Hausa traders in 1887. He returned from Salaga through the country tem before descending to the coast by "the salt road" (Blitta, Kpessi, Atakpamé, Sagada, Aného). He arrived on June 15, 1887 in Kparatao, which he named Kpara-Tagu, which means in dendi language "the new city" A year after this trip, the real German penetration into the kingdom was to begin with the foundation, on June 2, 1888, from the Bismarckburg Science Station by Ludwig Wolf. The latter mounted an expedition to the Niger valley and arrived at Kadambara and Kparatao on May 1, 1889. He was received at Kparatao by Ouro-Djobo Boukari with whom he signed a treaty of protectorate the same day. With the intention of occupying the whole region before the French intervention, the Germans
No comments:
Post a Comment