![[Flag of 1898 shown by Lux-Wurm]](../images/g/gn_tou.gif)
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by Ivan Sache, 21 June 2003
Last modified: 2012-01-21 by rob raeside
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by Ivan Sache, 21 June 2003
In his book "Les drapeaux de l'Islam" [lux01], P. Lux-Wurm shows a flag
captured to Emperor Samory Toure in September 1898.
The flag is square, horizontally divided blue-blue-white. The upper
stripe is larger than the other ones and of a darker blue than the
stripe placed immediately below it. A red triangle is placed along the
hoist. A white star, very roughly cut from a piece of fabric, is added
on the red triangle.
The flag is kept as a war trophy in the Army Museum in Paris. I guess it
may be hang in the St. Louis-des-Invalides' church, along with other
flags from the colonial period.
In 1872, Samory Toure proclaimed himself King of Sanankoro. He founded
the Malinke Empire of Ouassoulou, which spread from Guinea to Niger and
took the title of "Almamy" (religious chief). In 1880, he opposed to
France but the struggle started in 1885 only. He signed a peace treaty
with France on 1886 and sent his son as his ambassador in Paris.
However, Toure resumed his struggle in 1891. He was able to resist to
the troops led by General Gallieni until 29 September 1898, when he was
captured by Captains Gouraud and Gaden. Toure was exiled to Gabon, where
he died in 1900.
Ahmed Sekou Toure (1922-1984), President of the Republic of Guinea from
the independence 1958 to his death, was a relative of Samory Toure via
his mother.
Ivan Sache, 21 June 2003
Surely Lux Wurm has acces to the original flag in Museum because until now
the published flag of the emperor of Ouassoulou was similar but colors are
black, gren, white (action of time should to convert black to dark blue, and
green to light blue?). The flags is supposed to be take by General Gourad 29
September 1898, but according Roger Baert, of the Belgian vexillological
society, that studied the affair, the flag was taken certainly by General
Gourad, but when this general defetated king Faisal of Syria on 20 July
1920. For years was discussed if the flag was from Samory or from Feisal,
and I believe that is pending the last word.
Other flag is attributed also to Samory: rose, yellow, green vertical
(supposed inspiration for Sekou Ture when he self attributed the designing of
the Guinea flag), but there's solid argumentations that this last flag was
from Abd el Kader.
The emblem in red triangle, unreadable in Lux Wurm, is like a sun with 7
beams bearing a red losange in center according a reproduction issued by
Jorge Hurtado.
Jaume Ollé, 23 June 2003
Yes, surprising. It seems that the flag was deposited in the
Museum with a note attached, something like "Flag take to enemy by general Gourad" or so.
Then, when in the sixties was discovered by vexillologists, each give his own interpretation.
Jaume Ollé, 23 June 2003
