The economy and society of Saint-Louis du Senegal, with special reference to the emergence of Eurafrican influence, 1659-1809

• Main Author: Zilombo, Samuel
• Published: University of Birmingham 1985
• Subjects: 966.3
• Online Access: http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.553679

The French trading post of Saint-Louis was established on the island of Ndar in 1659. Between then and 1809, it was occupied by the British on several occasions including for twenty years from 1758 to 1779. Initially, its population was composed of Blacks and White employees of French chartered companies who were not two homogeneous communities. Although French company officials in France were opposed to the interaction between its employees and local Senegalese women, there was very little they could do to stop this. Among the factors which encouraged it was the absence-of Frenchwomen, especially in the 17th century. Like the French before them, the British took local women as wives or mistresses so that by 1779, a Franco and Anglo Eurafrican community had emerged on the island. During this period, the men were sometimes sent to Europe for education. From 1758 onwards the Eurafricans started playing an important role in the economic and political life of Saint- Louis since some of them had become independent traders as opposed to employees. By 1758, an important individual known as mayor had emerged. During the British occupation from 1758 to 1779, he played an important role in defending the interests of the Eurafricans because he was not an employee of the British administration. The opposite was the case during the French occupation from 1779 onwards since he was appointed by the French and received a salary just like any other employee.