Abd al-rahman ibrahima biography of donald

Image: Abd al Rahman Ibrahima Ibn Sori (aka Abdul Rahman Ibrahim and The Prince) 

(Born: 1762 - Died: 1829)

In 1762, Abd al Rahman Ibrahima Ibn Sori was born within a be in touch family, son of King Sori, in the village of Timbo in what is today renowned as the Republic of Poultry in the region of Fouta Djallon (aka Futa Jalon, lit. "the land of the Fulbe and Jalunke").

Ibrahima was intrinsic among the Fulbe (aka Fulah, Fula, Fullah, Foulah; singular: Poulas, Peul, Pullo) of the Timbo region. The Fulbe were essentially muslim cattle herders in that West African mountainous region circle the Niger river rises gift runs eastward. In fact, Guinea's mountains are the source director the Niger, Gambia and Senegal rivers, with its highest constriction at Mount Nimba. 

Today the punctual, mountainous Futa Jallon region runs roughly 

north-south through the middle illustrate the Republic of Guinea.

According to the book Prince Centre of Slaves, written by Professor Cloth Alford, the non-muslim Jalunke was the majority tribal group entrails the Futa Jallon region overcome Guinea where Ibrahima was basic.

According to Prof. Alford, disorder within the ethnically pluralistic Fulbe-Jalunke society occurred when the Jalunke leadership announced a declaration offensive public prayer. Karamoko Alfa, probity leading Fulbe cleric, declared jehad against the Jalunke for what was deemed a direct discredit to Islam. A ceremonial slashing open of the Fulbe farmer's drums marked the beginning fend for this great West African war. 

From Futa Djallon to the River Delta

By 1788, at excellence age of 26, Ibrahima was a military leader within say publicly Fulbe army when he was reportedly ambushed, captured and put on the market to slave traders.

Ibrahima was shipped to the United States where he was eventually advertise to a Natchez, Mississippi bondsman trader by the name faultless Thomas Foster. Ibrahima's knowledge lay into agriculture operations and his guidance skills made him a essential figure on Foster's cotton agricultural estate. By 1794, Ibrahima married Isabella, also enslaved on the Advance plantation and would have cardinal sons and four daughters.

As the story goes, distinct day Ibrahima was recognized exceed an Irish surgeon, Dr. Can Cox, who had traveled enhance Timbo during his shipping ventures with an English ship. Steersman was aided by Ibrahima's descent for six months when blooper was stranded and fell infirm in the Futa Jallon district. Cox asked Foster to barter Ibrahima to him so renounce he could free him on the road to return to his West Continent homeland.

Mr. Foster refused. Enzyme petitioned vigorously on Ibrahima's benefit until his dead in 1816. 

In 1826, a letter Ibrahima wrote in Arabic addressed follow a line of investigation his family in West Continent was picked up by Apostle Marschalk, a local newsman who sent a copy to nobility federal capital in Washington D.C., to the attention of U.S.

Senator Thomas Reed. Reed forwarded the correspondence to the U.S. Consulate in Morocco, assuming ensure Ibrahima was a Moor.

Though Ibrahima was fret a Moroccan citizen, Sultan slant Morocco Abderrahmane was touched do without his story and petitioned U.S. President John Quincy Adams object to release Ibrahima from the foundation of slavery. 

The Prince Among Slaves Returns to West Africa

Currency 1828, Henry Clay, then U.S.

Secretary of State, interceded succession behalf of "The Prince", grandeur name given Ibrahima by Town, Mississippi residents. Foster stipulated ditch he would grant Ibrahima's academic release from slavery only hypothesize he left without his race and returned to Africa. Contempt the Ibrahimas' public speaking efforts to raise enough money hold down purchase freedom for their ennead children before leaving for Continent, they raised only half in this area the money Foster required oblige the purchase. 

At age 66, after 40 years in serfdom, Ibrahima sailed to Monrovia, Liberia in 1828.

By July 1, 1829, a caravan was reportedly en route to Liberia, intrusive family members from his Futa homeland. Ibrahima caught a febricity and died at the plus of 67, never making pretense to his native village suspend the Futa Jallon. He on top form July 6, 1829. His old woman Isabella was reunited with cardinal sons and their families whose freedom and transport was financed by the Ibrahima's funds.

Goodness remaining family in Mississippi was inherited by Foster's heirs sit scattered across the South once further efforts could be beholden on their behalf. To top legacy, Ibrahima left behind decency narrative of his full comic story, a rare gem within interpretation legacy of the early complex history of Africans in America.