The city of Ndélé has a unique historical heritage, recorded by UNESCO as part of the cultural tourism project on the slave route. Located 800 km north of Bangui, it is the required crossing point on the Safari road and National Saint-Floris National Park. But, above all, some of its neighbourhoods kept in their walls and architecture visible traces of its influential past, at the time of Sultan Sonosi's reign. Thus, many descendants of slaves still maintain the site, perpetuating the traditions of their ancestors, including rituals designed to protect the city from natural disasters. According to the oral stories, scattered stones marked the place where Sultan Sonosi fell to combat, like the one where his son Adoum died, etc. At the end of the th century, Ndélé became a favourite place of residence for traders and travellers, including Sila, Sokoto, Fezzan, Ouaddai and Kano. If it was founded by Sultan Sonosi, its real expansion began after the assassination of the latter by French colonial troops on 12 January 1911. Once released, the old slaves shared with their executioners the plain of the Méagoulou, the ancient site of Ndélé, on which they cut the current neighborhoods according to their tribal affiliation. Today, the names have remained, allowing to distinguish between the neighbourhoods of the descendants of slave (Robes, Bornou, Hausa) and those of slave children (Banda, Ndouka, Djémé, Sara, Rounga, Mandja, etc.). In sum, Ndélé, through various migratory movements, including the populations of Upper Nile, is the result of the very powerful Sultanate of Dar el-Kouti. A land of marked influence of the stigmates of the slave trade, developed by complex cultural, demographic and economic movements, Ndélé has shaped itself one of the most métissés and revolutionary faces of the country.Origins of Ndélé. In the absence of written traces, two popular versions clashed with the founding of the city in 1896. There is only one fact: Sultan Sonosi is well behind him. According to the ndouka version, after reconciliation between the sultan of Ouaddai and Sonosi - who dreamed of the emperor of a new monarchist state at the Ouaddai: Dar el-Kouti - the latter would have instructed the great chefs to find a site less exposed to the nearby Ouaddai strikes. Thus, Ndélé would have been designated as the ideal place, name that would mean "the prostitute's house", so very attractive. However, according to Banda, the first inhabitants of the region claiming to be the real natives of Ndélé, the presence of Sultan Sonosi was just a fair recognition of their value: After Banda gave their hospitality to Sonosi when he was seriously threatened by Ouaddai, the sultan would simply have decided to continue to live among them. For Banda, Ndélé would come from «Kaga Endé», or «the rock aux swallows», where Sonosi would have found refuge.

Weather at the moment

Loading...
Organize your trip with our partners Ndélé
Transportation
Accommodation & stays
Services / On site

Find unique Stay Offers with our Partners

Pictures and images Ndélé

There are currently no photos for this destination.

Other destinations nearby Ndélé

Send a reply