Farim | |
|---|---|
 Ferry service at Farim | |
 Flag  Coat of arms | |
  Farim Location in Guinea-Bissau | |
| Coordinates:12°29′2″N15°13′18″W / 12.48389°N 15.22167°W /12.48389; -15.22167 | |
| Country | Guinea-Bissau |
| Region | Oio Region |
| Founded | 1641 |
| Elevation | 2 m (7 ft) |
| Population (2009) | |
• Total | 8,661 |
Farim is a town of northernGuinea-Bissau. It sits on the north bank of theFarim/Cacheu River, about 215 km (135 miles) up the river fromCacheu. Population 8,661 (2009 census).[1]
Farim was founded about 1641 by the Captain-Major of Cacheu, who recruitedlançados fromGeba to move to where they would be less vulnerable to attack by African tribes.[2] The name derived fromfarim, the title of the localMandinka ruler ofKaabu. For their part, the Mandinkas andSoninke called the settlement Tubabodaga ("village of the whites").[3] It was well-situated as a port, since the river was continuously navigable by sailing vessels from Cacheu.
In 1696 the local king ofCanico attacked the Luso-African settlement at Farim, but was repulsed and eventually captured. The Captain-Major of Cacheu led a force ofPapel andBalanta troops to destroy nearby villages and fortify the town, officially making it apresídio (garrisoned place) though an order dated 10 November 1696. Under diplomatic pressure from theMansa of Kaabu, however, he released the king of Canico.[4] Control of the region around Farim remained in the hands of the local kings, and Portuguese control was limited to the fortress. In the late 17th century, the Buramo King of Farim held significant control over theCacheu River, with the exception of several islands at the mouth of the river, ruled by independent principalities.[5]
It was a base for operations againstOio in 1897 and 1902. Farim started to grow in earnest in the 1910s, with over twenty trading firms based there, and became avila (town) in 1918.
Farim had become acentro comercial by 1925, and experienced an influx ofLebanese andSyrian merchants, dealing inpeanuts andtimber. Its economy was hit hard by the independence struggle in the 1960s and 1970s.
There are several sports clubs (notably football and athletics) in Farim, includingSC Farim.
Acrater on Mars is named after the town.[6]
12°29′N15°13′W / 12.483°N 15.217°W /12.483; -15.217
