Voyage dans le Soudan occidental (Sénégambie-Niger) by E. Mage
"Voyage dans le Soudan occidental (Sénégambie-Niger)" by E. Mage is an exploratory travel account written in the late 19th century. It follows a French naval officer sent by General Faidherbe to chart routes between the Sénégal and Niger rivers, assess navigation and trade prospects, and negotiate with regional powers amid the upheavals surrounding El Hadj Omar. Expect close observations of terrain, rivers, and logistics, paired with encounters across Khasso, Logo, and Natiaga,
and a frank view of the risks, finances, and practicalities of colonial-era exploration. The opening of the work presents a dedication letter from General Faidherbe praising the mission, followed by the author’s preface promising an unembellished, useful record. The introduction sets the political and commercial stakes, reproduces official instructions and a letter to El Hadj Omar, recounts conflicting news from Tombouctou and the Macina, and details the modest funds, trade goods, equipment, and a ten-man African escort alongside Dr. Quintin. The story then moves from Saint‑Louis to Bakel and Médine, where the party organizes pack animals and a light boat, probes the Sénégal above the Félou falls, and battles rapids up to Gouïna. On the road a confrontation at Kotéré is calmed, tensions flare within the escort, and the shifting politics of Khasso, Logo, and Natiaga are sketched, including a cautious visit to Altiney Séga. It closes with a vivid view of the Natiaga landscape and preparations to press toward Bafoulabé and the Niger route. (This is an automatically generated summary.)
Voyage dans le Soudan occidental (Sénégambie-Niger)
Original Publication
Paris: Hachette et cie, 1868.
Note
Ouvrage illustré d'après les dessins de l'auteur.
Credits
Galo Flordelis (This file was produced from images generously made available by The Internet Archive/American Libraries and the Bibliothèque nationale de France/Gallica)
Reading Level
Reading ease score: 73.3 (7th grade). Fairly easy to read.
