Kong, Ivory Coast

Kong is a town in north-eastern Côte d'Ivoire lying west of Comoë National Park. It emerged as a trading center when Mali merchants began trading in the territory of the surrounding Senufo people. The sous-préfecture of Kong, in the area of Kong to Dabakala, is said to be the “origin” area, where Mandé traders called the Dioula (Jula) first settled in the twelfth century.

The Jula traders brought with them their trading skills and connections, and transformed Kong into an international market for the exchange of northern desert goods, such as salt and cloth, and southern forest exports such as cola nuts, gold, and slaves. As Kong grew prosperous from trade, its early rulers – from the Taraweré clan, combined Jula and Senufo traditions and extended their authority over the surrounding region.

In 1710, Seku Ouattara (Wattara), a Jula warrior, invaded the area and conquered the city of Kong with his cavalry. He established himself as ruler and, under his authority, the city rose from a small city-state to the capital of the great Kong Empire holding sway over much of the region. In the nineteenth century, Samory Touré destroyed the city of Kong. It came under French colonial control in 1898.

Despite the fall from glory, the seventeenth century Kong Friday Mosque survived and Kong was largely rebuilt in a traditional Sahelian architectural style and features a Qur'anic school.

References

• Baumann, Gerd (2004) Grammars of Identity/Alterity: A Structural Approach
• Appiah, Kwame (2003) Africana: The Concise Desk Reference
• Forrest, Joshua (2004) Subnationalism in Africa: Ethnicity, Alliances, and Politics