Muslim Interpreters in Colonial Senegal, 1850–1920

Mediations of Knowledge and Power in the Lower and Middle Senegal River Valley

Nonfiction, History, Africa, Religion & Spirituality, Middle East Religions, Islam
Cover of the book Muslim Interpreters in Colonial Senegal, 1850–1920 by Tamba M'bayo, Lexington Books
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Tamba M'bayo ISBN: 9781498509992
Publisher: Lexington Books Publication: July 1, 2016
Imprint: Lexington Books Language: English
Author: Tamba M'bayo
ISBN: 9781498509992
Publisher: Lexington Books
Publication: July 1, 2016
Imprint: Lexington Books
Language: English

This book investigates the lives and careers of Muslim African interpreters employed by the French colonial administration in Saint Louis, Senegal, from the 1850s to the early 1920s. It focuses on the lower and middle Senegal River valley in northern Senegal, where the French concentrated most of their activities in West Africa during the nineteenth century. The Muslim interpreters performed multiple roles as mediators, military and expeditionary guides, emissaries, diplomatic hosts, and treaty negotiators. As cultural and political powerbrokers that straddled the colonial divide, they were indispensable for French officials in their relations with African rulers and the local population. As such, a central concern of this book is the paradoxical and often contradictory roles the interpreters played in mediating between the French and Africans. This book argues that the Muslim interpreters exemplified a paradox: while serving the French administration they pursued their own interests and defended those of their local communities. In doing so, the interpreters strove to maintain some degree of autonomy. Moreover, this book contends that the interpreters occupied a vantage position as mediators to influence the construction of colonial discourse and knowledge, because they channeled the flow of information between the French and the African population. Thus, Muslim interpreters had the capacity to shape power relations between the colonizers and the colonized in Senegal.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

This book investigates the lives and careers of Muslim African interpreters employed by the French colonial administration in Saint Louis, Senegal, from the 1850s to the early 1920s. It focuses on the lower and middle Senegal River valley in northern Senegal, where the French concentrated most of their activities in West Africa during the nineteenth century. The Muslim interpreters performed multiple roles as mediators, military and expeditionary guides, emissaries, diplomatic hosts, and treaty negotiators. As cultural and political powerbrokers that straddled the colonial divide, they were indispensable for French officials in their relations with African rulers and the local population. As such, a central concern of this book is the paradoxical and often contradictory roles the interpreters played in mediating between the French and Africans. This book argues that the Muslim interpreters exemplified a paradox: while serving the French administration they pursued their own interests and defended those of their local communities. In doing so, the interpreters strove to maintain some degree of autonomy. Moreover, this book contends that the interpreters occupied a vantage position as mediators to influence the construction of colonial discourse and knowledge, because they channeled the flow of information between the French and the African population. Thus, Muslim interpreters had the capacity to shape power relations between the colonizers and the colonized in Senegal.

More books from Lexington Books

Cover of the book Crisis of Gender and the Nation in Korean Literature and Cinema by Tamba M'bayo
Cover of the book Ethnicity, Gender, and Diversity by Tamba M'bayo
Cover of the book Faith and Leadership by Tamba M'bayo
Cover of the book Thomas More by Tamba M'bayo
Cover of the book Democracy and Leadership by Tamba M'bayo
Cover of the book The Geopolitical Power Shift in the Indo-Pacific Region by Tamba M'bayo
Cover of the book Ethical Leadership in Turbulent Times by Tamba M'bayo
Cover of the book Elementary Students Practicing Mindfulness by Tamba M'bayo
Cover of the book Paradoxes of Religious Toleration in Early Modern Political Thought by Tamba M'bayo
Cover of the book Sexual Violence in the Argentinean Crimes against Humanity Trials by Tamba M'bayo
Cover of the book The Child in World Cinema by Tamba M'bayo
Cover of the book From Awareness to Commitment in Public Health Campaigns by Tamba M'bayo
Cover of the book Transforming Justice, Transforming Lives by Tamba M'bayo
Cover of the book John Flavel by Tamba M'bayo
Cover of the book Christian Fasting by Tamba M'bayo
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy