Bacre Waly Gueye
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Bacre Waly Gueye | |
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| Born | 1819 Saint-Louis, Senegal |
| Died | 27 September 1900 Saint-Louis, Senegal |
| Nationality | Senegalese |
| Occupation | Merchant, Political leader, Public servant |
| Known for | First African member of the General Council of Saint-Louis |
| Relatives | Amadou Lamine-Guèye (grandson) |
| Honors | Légion d'honneur |
Bacre Waly Gueye (1819 – September 27, 1900) was a Senegalese merchant, civic leader, and public servant based in Saint-Louis, Senegal during the 19th century. He played a key role in trade along the Senegal River and served in both local and colonial political bodies under French rule. He was the grandfather of Amadou Lamine-Guèye, a prominent Senegalese politician and one of the first Black Africans elected to the French National Assembly.[1]
Early life
Bacre Waly Gueye was born in 1819 in Saint-Louis, Senegal, to Waly Bandia Gueye, originally from the Walo region, and Bercy Ndack Ndir. After the early death of his father, Bacre Waly Gueye became the caretaker of his siblings, which included brothers Malicoura, Fara Biram, Jupiter, and Gabar Diop, and sisters Diaw Gueye Waly and Coura Waly. He received a traditional Quranic education followed by instruction in the French colonial system.[1]
He later married several women, including Marianne Mbengue, Thiane Touré, Arame Peulh Gueye, and Mbathio Dieng, and fathered fourteen children. One of his daughters, Coura Gueye, was the mother of Amadou Lamine-Guèye.[1]
Career
Bacre Waly Gueye began his professional life as a carpenter but became deeply involved in commerce, particularly in the gum arabic trade along the Senegal River. He worked initially as an agent for the Bordeaux-based trading house Rabaud in Bakel, before establishing his own trading post in Podor. His success earned him the nickname "Bacre Borom Angle Yi" (Bacre, Lord of the Corners), due to his ownership of corner houses in Saint-Louis.[1]
Public service
Bacre Waly Gueye became active in civic life and served as a member of the Saint-Louis Municipal Council and the Chamber of Commerce (founded in 1869). From 1879 to 1897, he was the only African member of the General Council, where he participated in financial and infrastructure policy. He supported key local initiatives, including the development of a fish drying facility in Guet Ndar and repairs to the Grand Mosque of Saint-Louis.[2]
Honors and death
In recognition of his public service, Bacre Waly Gueye was made a Chevalier of the Légion d'honneur during the inauguration of the Faidherbe Bridge on March 19, 1897.[1]
Bacre Waly Gueye died on September 27, 1900, at the age of 85.
Legacy
Today, a street in Saint-Louis bears his name: Quai Bacre Waly Gueye. He is remembered as one of the first African figures to play a significant civic and commercial role in colonial Senegal.[3]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 "Domou Ndar du mois: Bacre Waly Gueye, un défenseur historique de Saint-Louis". NdarInfo (in français). Retrieved 2025-04-06.
- ↑ Roberts, Richard L. (2015). "Rethinking Politics in the Colony: The Métis of Senegal and Urban Politics in the Late Nineteenth and Early Twentieth Century". The Journal of African History. Cambridge University Press. 56 (1): 23–45. doi:10.1017/S0021853715000061.
- ↑ "Quai Bacar Waly Gueye, Île Nord". OpenAlfa Senegal. Retrieved 2025-04-06.
External links
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