Maissa Bigué Ngoné Fall

Maissa Bigué Ngoné Fall

Family Maissa Bigué belonged to the reigning Fall patrilineage and the "Géej maternal dynasty " of Cayor and Baol, and was a direct maternal descendant of Lingeer Ngoné Dièye, the matriarch of the maternal dynasty of "Géej." He came to the throne as a young man in 1748, succeeding his uncle Maissa Teindé Wedj.

From 1749 to 1756 Mawa Mbatio ruled as Damel while Maissa Bigué sought support from neighboring kings. Eventually he led his forces to Maka, where the court resided, and in a brutal urban battle was able to drive his rival out of Cayor. A relative of Mawa Mbatio claimed the throne at Mboul, and held the title for six months while Maissa Bigué rebuilt his strength. At the battle of Sanguere this new claimant was killed, and Maissa Bigué was elected Damel for the second time. As a condition of his aid, however, the Emir received yearly tribute from Cayor, and his warriors were allowed free rein to pillage the kingdom during one month every year.

Maissa Bigué Ngoné Fall died two years after the battle of Mbal, leaving the throne to Madior Dior Yasin Issa.