George (Duala king): Difference between revisions
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{{Short description|Duala king}} |
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'''George''' or '''Joss''', born '''Doo a Makongo''' or '''Doo a Mukonga''', was a [[rulers of the Duala|king]] of the [[Duala people]] in the late 18th century. Doo a Makongo was the son of [[Makongo a Njo]]. He lived at [[Douala]] on the [[Wouri |
'''George''' or '''Joss''', born '''Doo a Makongo''' or '''Doo a Mukonga''', was a [[rulers of the Duala|king]] of the [[Duala people]] in the late 18th century. Doo a Makongo was the son of [[Makongo a Njo]]. He lived at [[Douala]] on the [[Wouri estuary]] on the coast of [[Cameroon]]. By 1788–1790, Doo was a powerful ruler in the area. During this time, the [[Great Britain|British]] [[African slave trade|slave trade]] was at its height, and Douala was the primary trading post in the region.<ref>Austen and Derrick 25.</ref> |
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Records of the British trading vessel ''Sarah'' in 1790 and records of an English trial both give the name of the head trader in Douala as King George |
Records of the British trading vessel ''Sarah'' in 1790 and records of an English trial in 1788 both give the name of the head trader in Douala as King George. These were likely names given Doo by the traders, who also bestowed on him the title of [[Monarch|king]] (''kine'' in Duala). George possessed ''kalati'', trade books in which credit records were kept and the mark of a major trader in Duala eyes. He received both customs duties and a "dash" (bonus gift). Listed as lesser rulers in the region were Preshaw ([[Priso a Doo]]) and Bell ([[Bele a Doo]]). Nevertheless, these same British records indicate that a leader named Angua (probably [[Kwane a Ngie]]) was actually more powerful. For example, the ''Sarah'''s records state that George sold only 40 slaves to Angua's 50, and his "dash" was much smaller.<ref>Austen and Derrick 36–7.</ref> |
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| ⚫ | The succession of George's kingship remained an open question until his death. He disowned his eldest son, Priso a Doo, because of the boy's violent behaviour. In fact, George may have helped European traders capture Priso for murdering some of their compatriots. Bele a Doo was named heir, which was probably the impetus for [[Ngando a Kwa]] to declare his independence and set himself up as Bele's equal when [[Ewonde a Kwane]] of his own lineage died. Thus, George's death may have been indirectly responsible for the Duala people's split into the rival [[Bell lineage|Bell]] and [[Akwa lineage]]s.<ref>Austen and Derrick 36.</ref> |
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In 1788, a British trader tried to speed the Duala's delivery of slaves from the interior by setting sail with Duala on board whom he said he intended to sell in the [[West Indies]]. The Duala in Cameroon, possibly spurred by George, retaliated by taking several British captains hostage.<ref>Austen and Derrick 33.</ref> |
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| ⚫ | The succession of George's kingship remained an open question until his death. He disowned his eldest son, Priso a Doo, because of the boy's violent behaviour. In fact, George may have helped European traders capture Priso for murdering some of their compatriots. |
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==Notes== |
==Notes== |
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[[Category:Cameroonian traditional rulers]] |
[[Category:Cameroonian traditional rulers]] |
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[[Category:18th-century monarchs in Africa]] |
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Latest revision as of 14:33, 23 November 2022
George or Joss, born Doo a Makongo or Doo a Mukonga, was a king of the Duala people in the late 18th century. Doo a Makongo was the son of Makongo a Njo. He lived at Douala on the Wouri estuary on the coast of Cameroon. By 1788–1790, Doo was a powerful ruler in the area. During this time, the British slave trade was at its height, and Douala was the primary trading post in the region.[1]
Records of the British trading vessel Sarah in 1790 and records of an English trial in 1788 both give the name of the head trader in Douala as King George. These were likely names given Doo by the traders, who also bestowed on him the title of king (kine in Duala). George possessed kalati, trade books in which credit records were kept and the mark of a major trader in Duala eyes. He received both customs duties and a "dash" (bonus gift). Listed as lesser rulers in the region were Preshaw (Priso a Doo) and Bell (Bele a Doo). Nevertheless, these same British records indicate that a leader named Angua (probably Kwane a Ngie) was actually more powerful. For example, the Sarah's records state that George sold only 40 slaves to Angua's 50, and his "dash" was much smaller.[2]
The succession of George's kingship remained an open question until his death. He disowned his eldest son, Priso a Doo, because of the boy's violent behaviour. In fact, George may have helped European traders capture Priso for murdering some of their compatriots. Bele a Doo was named heir, which was probably the impetus for Ngando a Kwa to declare his independence and set himself up as Bele's equal when Ewonde a Kwane of his own lineage died. Thus, George's death may have been indirectly responsible for the Duala people's split into the rival Bell and Akwa lineages.[3]
Notes
[edit]References
[edit]- Austen, Ralph A., and Derrick, Jonathan (1999): Middlemen of the Cameroons Rivers: The Duala and their Hinterland, c. 1600–c.1960. Cambridge University Press.