GBANKA

Gbanka (?-May 1898) was Fula Mansa of Yoni Temne, a chiefdom about 112 km (70 mi) due east of Freetown. He opposed the British in the Yoni campaign of 1886-87, and was subsequently banished by them for seven years. On returning to power in 1895, he cooperated with the British, but was killed in the Hut Tax War of 1898.

The original holder of the title of Fula Mansa was a Muslim Fula who settled in Yoni Temne country in the 18th century. He became powerful by slave-dealing, and by marrying into most of the neighbouring families, after which he took the title of Fula Mansa. This title was held by successors, who ruled a part of Yoni Temne country.

Gbanka, the last Fula Mansa of Yoni Temne in the 19th century, was prominent in the so-called Yoni disturbances of 1886-87. After vainly trying to make peace, the British decided to send an expedition against the Yoni, who had captured towns and people belonging to their loyal ally, Madam Yoko. The British War Office sent Sir Francis de Winton to lead the expedition. Supported by more than 700 “irregulars”-opponents of the Yoni-de Winton attacked. His forces stormed the Yoni stronghold of Robari, and advanced on Ronietta, where there was some resistance. The whole campaign was over within a month.

Gbanka, the Fula Mansa, was one of the six leaders opposing the British who de Winton recommended should be exiled to Elmina on the Gold Coast (now Ghana), because their return “might only lead to fresh disorder and trouble.” After seven years of banishment, the Fula Mansa returned on the eve of the proclamation of the Protectorate in 1895.

Convinced of the futility of resisting British power, he raised little or no objections to the ordinance establishing the Protectorate. On the contrary, he was active in promoting British interests. When the time came to collect the house tax imposed in the Protectorate, early in 1898, the acting district commissioner of Ronietta, Dr. T. Hood reported to Governor Sir Frederic Cardew that there was general apathy towards payment of the tax.

Cardew reacted characteristically. He relieved Hood of his duties, sending in his place Capt. Samuel Moore of the Frontier Police Force. Moore called a meeting of chiefs at Kwilu, where the Frontier Police barracks were located, and there the Fula Mansa betrayed his colleagues. He secretly informed Moore that the chiefs had taken a strong oath to resist payment of the tax. Solely on the Fula Mansa’s testimony, Moore immediately arrested ten chiefs.

Meanwhile the district commissioner of Karene district, northeast of Port Loko, Captain Wilfred S. Sharpe, had been brutalising certain people to induce them to pay the tax. The Fula Mansa again acted as an informant against the chiefs who had decided not to pay. In consequence, Bai Sherbro, ruler of one section of the Yoni Temne, was accused of instigating the other chiefs not to pay. He was sentenced to 12 months imprisonment, and the Fula Mansa was appointed to take charge of his territory.

After the outbreak of the Hut Tax War in 1898, the British organised a campaign to suppress the insurrection after the rainy season. Their strategy was to form five “flying columns,” and to seize the offensive. The Fula Mansa contributed more than 1,000 warriors, characterised by the British as “friendlies,” and placed himself at their head. But at Gbonjeima, near Moyamba, south of Yoni, he was killed as he attempted to lead the movement to overrun the town.

ARTHUR ABRAHAM