Sougoulie

Sougoulie
Part of Toubacterie
Ndjarendie soldiers under Saïkou Ahmed Bamba clash with Gaullican troops during the Battle of Ourafade
Date 1883-84 Location Bahia, predominantly in Mabifia Result Euclean victory Status quo ante bellum Euclean colonial territories mantained Rebel leaders executed
Belligerents
Gaullica Template:Country data Estmere Werania	Soubaka Dominion of Heaven Kambou Karanate Ichïamba
Commanders and leaders
Georges Dupont Charles Dumont Crumpet dude Sausage dude	Saïkou Ahmed Bamba Fatima Maal Jean-Paul Rugima
Strength
22,000 Template:Country data Estmere 13,000 12,000	200,000
Casualties and losses
2,000	100,000

The Sougoulie was a major unsuccessful revolt against Euclean colonisation in Bahia that took place in 1883 and 1884. It began in Meyrout, which was used by the Gaullicans as a garrison point for their Tirailleurs Bahiens, on the 23rd of May 1883 after the local garrison mutinied in revolt against the Act of Bahian Quartering Reform. As news of the revolt spread, other localised revolts broke out across the subcontinent. These revolts aimed to bring back the return of local rule and often resulted in the reformation of previously existing Houregic states, posing a threat to Euclean control over the region. The revolts were eventually defeated in 1884, following the defeat of the Soubaka Dominion of Heaven under Saïkou Ahmed Bamba. The name of the event is contested by historians as while the Bahian name of Sougoulie is widely accepted in Bahia, Euclean scholars disagree on the magnitude of the revolts. As such, the terms Bahian Mutiny, Tirailleur Mutiny and Bahian Rebellion of 1883 are also used. The term Sougoulie somes from a Ndjarendie root word for a meal taken before sunrise, which characterises the revolts as a first taste of freedom before the Kaoule.

While the catalyst cause of the Sougoulie was quartering reform within the Gaullican army, the revolts soon took a broader aspect of resistance against the cultural and religious repression of Bahian society by their Euclean colonisers as well as the economic expropriation of lands and resources by Euclean corporations. While many Bahians, particularly amongst the marginalised Irfanic and Fetishist pupulations, joined the revolts, many Sotirian Bahians instead fought alongside the Eucleans. The Sougoulie was a period of intense violence, particularly against the civilian population. Both sides were reported to have perpetrated massacres, with the Gaullican sack of Kambou being one of the most well-known examples.

In most cases, the revolts constituted a reactionary effort to reinstitute Hourege and the status quo before Toubacterie. There was not any major effort to cooperate between the different rebel groups, who often fought amongst themselves as well as fighting the Euclean forces. This division of resistance essentially doomed the revolts to failure, as they were unable to cross ethnic or religious lines against a common enemy and could therefore be defeated one by one. This failure was a key inspiration in the development of Pan-Bahianism, as the importance of a united struggle against colonialism was demonstrated.

Origins

Main article: Toubacterie

Two Fetishists hung for taking part in a sacrifice, Mabifia, 1865

During the Woundic period the Euclean colonisation of Bahia cemented itseld not only as a form of economic hegemony but of direct political control over the subcontinent. One of the key grievances was related to the number of missionaries who were flocking to Bahia in the hopes of spreading Sotirianity to the natives. These missionaries received protection from the Euclean powers, permitting them to evangelise freely and giving them a free pass to any actions related to the spreading of the faith. This blank cheque led to increasingly brazen attacks on traditional Bahian religion, especially fetishism which was targetted due to its pagan nature. Idols were destroyed and priests unmasked during religious ceremonies, which led to a large amount of anger. The fetishist population in Bahia was decimated by these missionaries, leading the remaining believers to resent the colonists and their religious influences. In Irfanic majority areas too, there was widespread persecution against believers. As Bahia was a highly religious area, these encroachments on the strong religious roots of these communities was a major source of conflict and helped to motivate large numbers to join the Sougoulie. There had been several smaller disturbances based upon religion across Bahia before the Sougoulie erupted, but they were swiftly suppressed by the colonial authorities.

Another major cause of anger towards Toubacterie was the economic oppression of the subcontinent's native majority at the hands of the small white minority. Commercial interests had played an enormous part in the Fatougole, with industrialists such as Jean Dumont personally funding colonial expeditions into Bahia to gain access to its natural riches. Resources such as the famous gold mines of the Kambou valley and Gonda river were quickly seized by colonists, with the natives who had owned such riches being pushed aside and driven from their lands. In Riziland, large tracts of arable land were requisitioned and taken by the Murungu, white settlers aiming to establish themselves in the area. These land requisitions most often came at the expense of the former Houregic elite, who lost their influence over society. The Euclean colonisers had abolished the caste system as soon as they came into power, freeing the slaves and destroying the legal authority of the tribal elders and clergy. The freeing of slaves alone destroyed roughly 80% of the economic power of these former elites who became a shadow of themselves. Despite this legal abolition of the caste system, it was highly ingrained into the Bahian mindset and many, especially those of the upper classes, continued to follow it behind closed doors. This meant that the Act of Quartering Reform, whilst from the Euclean perspective being inoffensive and common sense, was highly provocative to the predominantly upper-caste native soldiers who were drawn primarily from the warrior caste and expected the privileges that they had held under Hourege.

Outbreak

Charles Mauron, the governor of Meyrout, is killed by mutineers.

While the caste system had been officially abolished by the colonial administration of Gaullican Bahia, this law did not extend to widespread practice. In much of the colonial holdings, the law was simply ignored and the caste system was enforced via extrajudicial means with inter-caste couples being stopped by honour killings ordered by village elders. Much of this went unknown by the colonial governments, who rarely ventured into the rural areas and only saw what happened in the large cities. Because of this, the Act of Quartering Reform was at the base a mere tying up of loose ends, as there was no need to segregate troops quarters based on a system which had disappeared. There was no anticipation of the opposition that this bill could cause, with warnings from rural officials being brushed off as scaremongering which pandered to the radicals. Following the passage of the bill there were minor disturbances in Bertholdsville, but this was not enough to dissuade its implementation across Bahia.

On the 22nd of May 1883, the native infantry battalion of the Gaullican army quartered at Meyrout was called to the parade ground, where they were inspected before informed of the new law's provisions. Writing to the Viceroy of Gaullican East Bahia, Meyrout's Governor Charles Mauron stated:

The troops did not react kindly to the new law. Outcry and jostling. Caution advised on its implementation, seems a delicate matter. More troops requested.

This telegram reached the colonial office at 7 pm but was not judged to be of sufficient relevance to warrant disturbing the Viceroy's supper. Following the meal, he dismissed his secretaries and informed them he was not interested in "minor commotions in the provinces". In the morning, the telegram was read but ignored without a second thought. Following the inspection, the garrison retired to their quarters and discussed the law. Overnight, the soldiers who had previously been of warrior caste or higher decided on a course of action. At 10 am the next day, the soldiers entered into a state of mutiny. They raided the armoury and killed both the Gaullican officers and those who refused to participate in the uprising. Mauron managed to send one telegram to the closest Gaullican garrison of Euclean troops at Kaïbonrou before his death, which read simply: "Mutiny among native troops. Our positions overrun. Avenge us."

Mutineers laying waste to the Governor's Estate at Meyrout.

Following this act the mutinous soldiers elected Tagofire Karallo, the grandson of the last Karane of Meyrout, to lead them. They marched triumphantly into Meyrout town, where their numbers swelled with Bahians eager to see the downfall of Toubacterie. Karallo was declared the Karane of Meyrout, and missives were sent to the neighbouring villages informing them that Toubacterie was over and calling for them to declare their loyalty to the new Karane. The Colonial Administration in Bertholdsville was not initially informed of this development, as the Gaullican forces at Kaïbonrou were confident that they would be able to crush the uprising and did not wish for the central authorities to hear of an armed uprising under their watch. A company of 200 Gaullican soldiers and five pieces of artillery was soon sent to Meyrout to defeat the rebels, meeting them in battle at Hakotoulde. The Gaullican forces were heavily outnumbered, having underestimated the numbers which the rebels could put into the field at this stage, and were in unknown territory which put them at a disadvantage. The ensuing slaughter was one of the Gaullican army's worst defeats in the history of its presence in Bahia, with the entire detachment either killed or taken prisoner and all cannons seized with minimal losses on the side of the rebels.

Following the defeat at Hakotoulde, the Kaïbonrou garrison who remained were forced to inform the Bertholdsville authorities about the growing rebel threat. The initial reaction of the colonial government was to order the disarmament of all other native contingents in Gaullican territory and forbid large public gatherings, while Verlois was informed of the events. Supplementary forces were not requested, as it was believed that this was still a small mutiny which could easily be crushed. The disarmaments were carried out in much of Gaullican Bahia, with the colonial authorities benefitting from a superior communication network. Word of the uprising was spread by the rebels by word of mouth and the sending of letters, but after the Gaullican media published stories of the uprising news spread. Civil disturbances and riots occurred in many cities, with several other areas entering into open rebellion against the Colonial government.

Bahian divisions

Saïkou Ahmed Bamba, leader of the Irfanic Hikma movement which supported the Sougoulie.

The problem faced by the rebels was the division of attitudes towards the colonial government amongst the Bahian people. Despite the unpopularity of many of the colonial government's actions, they had the support of several groups within society. Important amongst these groups was the young but now significant Catholic population, who feared that with the victory of the rebels they would face persecution and forced conversion back to their original faiths. This led to opposition to the Sougoulie in these communities. The Mirites as well opposed the Sougoulie from the outbreak, having benefited in their social status from Toubacterie and hoping to maintain their privileged position of authority. Even within the Irfanic Ulema there was division. While the Hikma movement, an Irfanic revivalist movement centred upon Kangesare in the Ndjarendie heartland, came out in favour of the Sougoulie and its leader, Saïkou Ahmed Bamba, led forces himself, other scholars were not united on the cause. Many held that the caste system ran counter to Irfanic values, and as such an uprising aimed at its defence was not permitted. They also raised concerns about fighting on the same side as the fetishists, who were considered Kafirs. Within the fetishist community itself, support was all but unanimous for the Sougoulie as it was seen as the last chance to defend the faith.

Bahia was also heavily divided on the ethnic level, which weakened the Sougoulie considerably. As the revolt was initially supported by the Ndjarendie, the Machaï were reluctant to participate as they did not wish to see a return to Ndjarendie rule over their lands. Many among the Bélé and Ouloume peoples shared similar concerns about the Sougoulie, although participation among these groups was higher than that of the Machaï. These ethnic distrusts also meant that the rebels did not operate as one group but instead formed their own states and armies. Sougoulic states often fought amongst each other over land and resources, crippling their ability to pose a unified threat to the colonial authorities. These ethnic factors slowed the spread of the Sougoulie and enhanced the Euclean response.

The Revolts

Kambou

Mutineers assembling in Kambou, September 1883.

The former centre of Ndjarendie culture during the age of the great Kingdom of Kambou, Kambou remained one of the largest cities in Gaullican controlled Bahia. It had lost much of its economic relevance following the seizure of its large gold mines by Gaullican settlers, but remained a centre of Irfanic scholarship and cultural importance. Much of the population of the city and its surrounding areas felt as though the city had been unjustly sidelined by the Gaullicans in favour of Bertholdsville, which had been built in the seventeenth century by Gaullican settlers and lacked the historical importance commanded by Kambou which at its peak had presided over one of the largest empires in Bahian history. Its inhabitants longed for a return to this age of prestige, in particular, the clergy and nobles who wished for their former wealth and status. There had already been several smaller disturbances against colonial rule in Kambou, but these were comparatively minor and quickly able to be suppressed.

When the uprisings began, Kambou was garrisoned by large numbers of both native and Gaullican soldiers. The native forces were disarmed before news of the mutiny reached them, which delayed the outbreak of violence. Nevertheless, the Gaullican population recognised that they were at risk and many fled the city towards Bertholdsville which was believed to be safer. The Gaullican forces were split, with some going to accompany this civilian convoy and the rest fortifying themselves in the former palace of the Houreges of Kambou. Violence began on the 1st of June when the Imam of the Grand Beytol of Kambou called for the reinstitution of the Kingdom of Kambou. The constabulary's offices were burned to the ground, with several native constables being killed. The Cathedral of Kambou was razed to the ground and several other Sotirian sites were damaged. The Gaullican forces did not leave their fortified positions, leading to anarchy in the city for several days. This was eventually stopped by Fatima Maal, the daughter of the last Hourege of Kambou. She appeared in the market square in full royal dress and addressed the crowd as their queen, attracting a large following. She rallied the native garrison and organised the provision of some weaponry, offering the Gaullican garrison free passage to escape if they surrendered their weapons. This offer was accepted by the commanding officer of the garrison and on the 4th of June, Kambou came under the control of the rebels. This was a major symbolic victory for the mutineers, as Kambou's name still carried respect and importance amongst the population. The victory rallied other villages to the rebel cause, amassing a significant following.

Native Mirite soldiers in the Kambou campaign, 1883

Maal soon proved to be a highly efficient, yet bloodthirsty, leader when she ordered the ambush and massacre of the fleeing Gaullican forces. The entire garrison was killed, apart from three who had their hands removed and were sent back to Bertholdsville as a warning to the Gaullicans. She called for all of the villages which had once been part of the Kingdom of Kambou to swear allegiance to her, demanding a tribute of soldiers to form an army to fight the Gaullicans. But the Kingdom of Kambou was a mere shadow of its old glory, and while many villages declared their support and sent soldiers, several villages saw the opportunity to take more power for themselves and revolted against both the authority of Gaullica and Kambou. The new state was therefore forced to engage in several campaigns against the resistance of other Bahian states to cement its authority, which weakened the fledgeling state. Nevertheless, by the end of August, Kambou had managed to crush any internal resistance and prepared to face the Gaullican armies. Kambou boasted almost 50,000 soldiers, of which a core 10,000 were trained and armed with muskets. They also possessed 20 cannons, which had been taken from the Kambou garrison. The forces were commanded by Maal herself, who ordered a march towards the city of Bertholdsville in the hopes that by liberating it she would be able to crush the Gaullican forces at their core and end their occupation.

Having realised the scale of the threat, the Gaullican response was large. An army of 7,000 highly trained soldiers, complete with machine guns and other pieces of artillery. They were joined by 15,000 native soldiers, composed of Mirite, Yebase and native converts who could be trusted to fight against the mutineer army. The two forces met at the small village of Kalise at the southern extremities of the Boual ka Bifie on the twelfth of September 1883. The battle lasted for seven hours, as Maal led her numerically superior forces in a frontal assault on the Gaullican positions. Despite their bravery and numbers, the superior discipline and firepower of the Gaullican army was too strong and the Kambou army was broken. Fatima Maal herself died on the battlefield, hit by a stray bullet while directing an assault. Her death proved the final straw and resulted in a rout. A small force of 11,000 managed to escape the battle and return to Kambou, but without Maal's leadership Kambou was no longer able to maintain the support of the local villages. While Kambou proper would remain in rebel hands until the start of 1884, the defeat at Kalise marked the end of Kambou's status. The town lost importance, becoming little more than a provincial town by the time Mabifia gained independence in 1942.

Riziland

As Estmerish forces continued advancing into the Plateau, the native villages in the Plateau realised that continuing the village system would inevitably mean that each village could be annexed into the Estmerish colony of Riziland. Thus, in 1881, the chieftains of the villages met in Munzwa to establish a neo-veRwizi Empire, known as the Verizi Empire, with the chieftain of Munzwa, Tamutswa being named Mambo of the Verizi Empire.

When word of the Sougoulie spread to the Plateau, Tamutswa called for all veRwizi chieftains to join the rebellion to "expel the Murungu" from Rwizikuru, and restore the veRwizi Empire under Mambo Tamutswa.

(TBC)

Baséland

Amsalu in 1880, in traditional high-ranking Yebase dress.

While a major revolt that could be categorised as part of the Sougoulie never occurred in the colony of Baséland (now Garambura), many underground resistance groups secretly pledged their allegiance to those fighting in the Sougoulie, particularly the resurgent Verizi Empire, and arranged for their undocumented transportation into Sainte-Germaine's outer bounds, where population documentation was rare. As the population in Baséland was so heavily concentrated around the coastal city, owing mainly to the Adunis to Mambiza Railway, a revolt at the level of the Sougoulie was unfeasible, with dissidents of the Eucleans realising the fact quickly.

While some chose to travel to Mabifia and Riziland to fight alongside the Sougoulie rebels, most stayed in the colony, fearing for their lives and the lives of their families. Some still chose to show their solidarity by assisting the rebels in a logistical sense, with supplies often being stolen at the port of Sainte-Germaine and sent along a network of rebel-organised transporters until they reached rebel hotspots. Perhaps the most well-known and largest sign of resistance from Garambura was Yebase ship commander Alphonse Amsalu's sinking of the NSM Insulaire in November 1883, a Gaullican supply ship carrying military supplies to fighting soldiers in Mabifia. Amsalu fired on the unexpecting ship, sinking the ship itself, its 105 crew and all of its supplies, he was sentenced to death for 105 counts of murder and treason in Sainte-Germaine in 1884, but is a well-known folk story in Garambura detailing heroism and resistance against opression.