Susu people are the third largest ethnic group in Guinea. Aside from Guinea, there are also communities of Susu people in Sierra Leone and Senegal. Estimates indicate that they number upwards of 1 million, with about 900,000 or so in Guinea and constituting about 20% of the nation's population. The Susu are believed to be descendants of the 12th- and 13th-century Takur kingdom called Sosso (Susu), which was ruled by Soumaore Kante (also known as Sumanguru). Sumanguru was defeated by Sundiata Keita in 1235 at the battle of Kirina, leading to the collapse of the Sosso kingdom and the formation of the Mali Empire. In 1725, the Susu are said to have moved to their present location to escape Fulani domination and conversion to Islam.

Precolonial ...