Damel was the title of the ruler (or king) of the Wolof kingdom of Cayor in what is now northwest Senegal, West Africa.
The most well-known damel is probably Lat Dior Diop (1842–1886) who died in battle during the final French drive to capture his territory,[1] which was one of the strongest areas of resistance.[2] Lat Dior is a Senegalese national hero.
The 30th and last Damel of Cayor, Samba Laobé Fall, was killed by the leader of a French delegation, Captain Spitzer, at Tivaouane, Senegal.[3]
Description
Among the social classes found among the Wolof of Cayor, the Damel stood on the top of the hierarchy. The Damel were traditionally seen as great magicians and it was through female relatives that royal blood was transmitted.[4]
The term « Damel » means « breaker », coming from the Wolof verb « damma » meaning « to break, » referring to the breaking of their vassalage to the Jolof Empire.[5]
List of damel
The following are the damel of Cayor, in order[6][7]
Crowder, Michael (1968). West Africa Under Colonial Rule. Northwestern University Press.
Hale, Thomas A., Johnson, John William and Belcher, Stephen Paterson (1997). Oral Epics From Africa: Vibrant Voices From A Vast Continent. Indiana University Press. ISBN0-253-21110-7
Harney, Elizabeth, (2004). In Senghor’s Shadow: Art, Politics, and the Avant-garde in Senegal, 1960-1995. Duke University Press. ISBN0-8223-3395-3
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