French Colonial History

The Tijāniyya Brotherhood was created in the Algerian desert by Ahmad al Tijānī in 1781. While some researchers place emphasis on individual branches in West Africa, most have ignored analyzing this important movement through a transnational lens. This article examines the process of dissemination of the Tijāniyya, taking into consideration its historical conflicts of succession in North Africa after the death of the second Khalifa Ali Tamasīnī. It places particular emphasis on the struggle for succession during the French colonial period. First, it shows how the French administration exerted its authority over the masters and disciples of the Tijāniyya, always advocating for their candidate, who resides in Ayn Mādī (Algeria) or Fez (Morocco). Next, it analyzes how the North African tijānī hierarchy and the French administrators succeeded in forming relations with other influential West African families, notably Senegalese ones, such as the Sy, Aidara, and Niasse families. Finally, I clarify how the French administrations utilized these networks to attempt to disseminate their policies through the Tijāniyya in sub-Saharan Africa.