| Alfa Yaya Molo Balde | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Reign | 1867-1883 | ||||
| Successor | Musa Molo | ||||
| Born | Souloubali | ||||
| Died | 1883 Dandou,Guinea-Bissau | ||||
| Consort | Coumba Oude | ||||
| Issue | Dikory Coumba, Moussa Molo, Sambel Coumba | ||||
| |||||
| Religion | Islam | ||||
Alfa Yaya Molo Balde was the founder ofFuladu, a kingdom in theCasamance region of modern-daySenegal.
Molo Egue was born in Souloubali as a slave of a nobleFula named Samba Egue.[1] TheToucouleurmaraboutEl-Hajj Omar Tall supposedly visited him in 1847, inspiring him to launch a Fula rebellion against theMandinka rulers ofKaabu that had dominated the region between theGambia river and what is nowGuinea-Bissau for centuries. He attacked a nearby Mandinka village with a few followers, but was repulsed. Over time, however, his band of raiders found increasing success, which attracted recruits and allowed Alfa Molo to build atata in the village ofNdorna. Faced with a Kaabunke counterattack, he called for help from theImamate of Futa Jallon.[2]
Alfa Molo's alliance with Futa Jallon plunged Kaabu into an existential war, culminating in the 1867Battle of Kansala. With his victory, he established the independent kingdom ofFuladu.[3]
In 1873 a conflict broke out with themaraboutFode Kaba. In 1878, allied with the British inThe Gambia, Alfa Molo forced him westwards towardsFogny. In 1880, Alfa Molo's former master Samba Egue rebelled, refusing to be ruled by someone of the slave class, but was defeated and killed.[4]
Alfa Molo died in 1883 ofvenereal disease and was succeeded by his sonMusa Molo.[4]