Further Readings
Gyekye, K. (1996).African Cultural Values.
Philadelphia: Sankofa.
Opoku, K. A. (1978).West African Traditional Religion.
Accra, Ghana: FEP International Private Ltd.
Opokuwaa, N. A. K. (2005).The Quest for Spiritual
Transformation:Introduction to Traditional Akan
Religion,Rituals and Practices. New York: iUniverse.
SUSU
Susu people are the third largest ethnic group in
Guinea. Aside from Guinea, there are also com-
munities of Susu people in Sierra Leone and
Senegal. Estimates indicate that they number
upwards of 1 million, with about 900,000 or so
in Guinea and constituting about 20% of the
nation’s population. The Susu are believed to be
descendants of the 12th- and 13th-century Takur
kingdom called Sosso (Susu), which was ruled by
Soumaore Kante (also known as Sumanguru).
Sumanguru was defeated by Sundiata Keita in
1235 at the battle of Kirina, leading to the col-
lapse of the Sosso kingdom and the formation
of the Mali Empire. In 1725, the Susu are said to
have moved to their present location to escape
Fulani domination and conversion to Islam.
Precolonial Guinea was homeland to several
ethnic groups, prominent among them being the
Mandinka (Malinke), Fulani, and Susu. From
indications, the Susu people were one of the earli-
est inhabitants of the region. Beginning in the
15th century, Fulani herders migrated from the
Futa Toro Empire in the area of present-day
Senegal to the Fouta Djallon highlands.
Gradually, they conquered the whole area and
created an autonomous Islamic theocracy—the
longest in Africa. Although the early batch of the
Fulani migrants followed traditional African prac-
tices, subsequent ones were largely Muslims who
not only sought to introduce their religious beliefs
and practices in the area, but also enforced them.
Eventually, they formed a strong Islamic theo-
cratic state. By the 18th century, Fouta Djallon
was a strictly hierarchical society with a ruling
class essentially led by two families, the Alfyas
and Soriyas. It was from these families that lead-
ers calledalimamieswere chosen. At the bottom
of the social ladder were non-Muslim Fulanis and
non-Fulanis, such as the Susu people who served
as artisans, menial workers, and slaves.
To escape repressive rule and virtual servitude,
the Susu people moved to the coastal areas of
lower Guinea. They established trade relations
with the Portuguese, who had been trading in
West Africa since the 15th century and later with
the French, Guinea’s colonial masters. To this day,
the Susu people largely occupy the coastal areas
of Guinea, where many of them make a living
through fishing and the production of salt. A good
number of Susu people are also farmers who cul-
tivate millet and rice (the two principal crops in
Guinea), mangoes, pineapples, and coconuts. The
Susu are also noted for their craftsmanship, par-
ticularly in the use of metal and leather and also
for their skill at trading.
Except for a difference in language, the Susu
share similar customs, beliefs, and practices with
the other large ethnic groups, such as the Malinke
and Fulani. Like other ethnic groups in Guinea,
the Susu people speak an indigenous language
besides French, the Guinean national language.
The Susu language, also called Susu, is similar
to that of the Yalunka, another ethnic group in
Guinea. In fact, both languages belong to the
Niger-Congo-Mande language group prevalent in
many West African States. The similarity between
the two languages has led some to speculate that
the Susu and Yalunka people used to be one eth-
nic group living in the Fouta Djallon region before
they were separated by the Fulani people.
The Susu have extended families, as is common
practice among many African peoples. More so,
because polygamy is accepted among them, many
of their men marry multiple wives and have many
children. Members of both nuclear and extended
families often live together in large family houses.
Another common practice among the Susu is mar-
riage between cousins.
The majority of Susu people and Guineans in
general are Muslims, although some still adhere
to African traditional religious practices. Statistics
from theWorld Fact Bookshow that about 85%
of the Guinean population are Muslims, about
8% are Christians, and 7% are adherents of
African traditional religion. Friday prayers and
meetings at the mosque constitute an important
religious and social event for most Susu people.Susu 639