Colonial history in The Gambia is marked by episodes of profound violence and the arbitrary exercise of power, vividly illustrated by the Sankandi Incident and the subsequent Dumbuto Massacre. These events, occurring at the dawn of the 20th century, reveal the brutal mechanisms of control employed by the British colonial administration and the tragic human cost borne by the native population. The Sankandi incident, which unfolded on June 14th, saw the killing of six constables and Native Chief Mansah Kotah. This confrontation arose during an attempt by Mr. Sitwell, a Travelling Commissioner, to arrest the headman of Sankandi, Dari Bana Dabu. Dari Bana Dabu's steadfast resistance to this arrest, and his subsequent call upon his people to fire, directly led to the casualties that day. In the immediate aftermath of this violent encounter, Darri Bana Darbo and Sankandi Burang were captured, subjected to the indignity of being tied up, and subsequently transported to Dumbutu, where they faced execution by hanging. The swift and severe colonial response to the Sankandi incident set a grim precedent, showing the precarious position of local communities under foreign rule.
The Sankandi Confrontation
The Sankandi incident, a key moment in Gambian colonial history, involved the killing of two prominent figures of the colonial administration: Mr. Sitwell and Mr. Silva, both of whom served as Travelling Commissioners. The underlying dispute that escalated into this tragic incident stemmed from long-standing disagreements between the inhabitants of Sankandi and those of a neighboring town, Batelling. These tensions were primarily centered around access to and control over vital rice fields, a critical resource for the sustenance of both communities. The colonial intervention, particularly Mr. Sitwell's attempt to arrest Dari Bana Dabu, transformed a local land dispute into a direct confrontation with colonial authority.
Dari Bana Darbo, Lasana Dahaba, and Bakary Jobe were identified by the colonial administration as potential ringleaders in the Sankandi incident, accused of inciting resistance against the British. Following the event, the colonial legal system moved swiftly, and three men were brought to trial for the murder of the two Travelling Commissioners at Sankandi. The judicial process, conducted under colonial law, culminated in the accused men paying the full penalty demanded by law, a stark demonstration of the colonial administration's determination to assert its dominance and enforce its will. The 126th anniversary of the Sankandi incident is scheduled to be commemorated on June 14, 2026, serving as a poignant reminder of this historical moment and its enduring legacy. Despite the colonial administration's efforts to apprehend all those involved, the primary ringleaders of the Sankandi incident managed to evade capture, successfully escaping into French Territory, a testament to the complex geopolitical landscape of the region at the time and the porous borders that offered a degree of refuge from British retribution.
The Dumbuto Retaliation
The colonial response to the Sankandi incident was not limited to judicial proceedings; it also manifested as a brutal military campaign. A punitive expedition was swiftly organized, targeting towns adjacent to Sankandi, with Dumbutu bearing the brunt of this retaliation. On January 11, 1901, a military column, heavily armed and determined to quell any further resistance, marched on Dumbutu. The assault was particularly egregious, as the troops opened fire on people who were attending Friday prayers, a sacred and inviolable time for the community. This indiscriminate act of violence resulted in the deaths of at least seventy people, an event that has since been tragically referred to as the Dumbuto massacre. The sheer scale and brutality of the attack sent a chilling message to the native population about the consequences of defying colonial rule.
Following the military action, the suffering of the Dumbutu residents continued. Some residents of Dumbutu were captured by the colonial forces, their lives irrevocably altered by the events of that day. These individuals were subsequently sent into exile in Sierra Leone, forcibly removed from their homes and communities, further illustrating the severe and often inhumane measures employed by the colonial administration to maintain control and suppress dissent. The bombardment of Dumbuto and Sankandi, and the subsequent acts of repression, triggered a significant displacement of people. Many sought refuge in Cassamance, a region offering a sanctuary from the escalating colonial violence and the retaliatory actions of the British forces, noting the widespread fear and instability generated by these brutal interventions.
Echoes of Arbitrary Power
The colonial period in Gambia was, indeed, deeply marked by numerous instances of arbitrary power exercised against the native population, extending far beyond the immediate aftermath of the Sankandi incident. This pattern of unchecked authority and often brutal repression was a systemic feature of colonial governance, designed to subjugate local populations and exploit resources. The massacre at Sabiji, for example, stands as another horrific testament to this era, resulting in approximately 1500 fatalities, showing the devastating human cost of colonial expansion and control.
In a move to formalize and solidify its hold over the territory, the colonial administration introduced legislative measures. Ordinance No. 7, passed on April 11, 1902, was a significant piece of legislation. This ordinance formally provided for an Executive Government within the Protectorate, establishing a more structured framework for colonial rule and centralizing administrative power. This legal framework, however, often served as a tool for the arbitrary exercise of authority rather than a guarantor of justice for the native inhabitants.
The exercise of colonial authority frequently extended to local leaders, who were often caught between the demands of their communities and the dictates of the British administration. Aruna Njie, the Headman of Fatoto, provides a clear example of this precarious position. In 1928, he was summarily dismissed from his position due to a shortfall in tax collection, demonstrating the unforgiving nature of colonial fiscal policies and the direct repercussions for local leaders who failed to meet colonial quotas. This dismissal was not merely a loss of office but a public humiliation and a clear warning to other headmen about the strict expectations of the colonial government.
Beyond political and economic control, the colonial administration also sought to impose its cultural and legal norms, often clashing with traditional practices. Legal actions were routinely taken against individuals accused of adhering to traditional practices that the colonial powers deemed unacceptable or superstitious. Cherno Abdoulie Jallow's case exemplifies this cultural clash; he was imprisoned for practicing witchcraft in 1925. After serving three months in jail, he was not only released but also banished from his community, a double punishment designed to ostracize and deter others from engaging in similar practices. This blend of legalistic punishment and social exclusion served to reinforce colonial authority and suppress indigenous customs, further eroding the autonomy and cultural integrity of the native population. These incidents, from the violent suppression of resistance to the imposition of foreign laws and administrative structures, collectively paint a vivid picture of the widespread and often brutal nature of colonial power in The Gambia.
