in full al- 1E24; 0101; jj 02BD; Umar ibn Sa 02BD; 012B; d Tal
born c. 1797, Halvar, Fouta-Toro [Senegal]
died Feb. 12, 1864, near Hamdalahi, Tukulor empire [Mali]
West African founder of the Tukulor empire.
Born in the Sénégal River valley, he became a mystic and set out to Mecca on a pilgrimage at age 23. Through political and religious connections he made during and after his journey, he was appointed caliph for black Africa by the head of the Tij 0101; n 012B; brotherhood. He returned to Africa in 1833, and in 1854, in the area of upper Guinea, eastern Senegal, and western and central Mali, he ordered a jihad to sweep away the pagans and bring back lapsed Muslims. He defeated the Bambara pagans of Mali, but they soon rebelled. Attacked by the Tuareg s, Moors , and Fulani in 1863, 02BD; Umar's army was destroyed, and he was pursued and killed in an explosion. His empire lasted under his son Ahmadu Seku until 1897, when it was annexed by the French.