Live auction - fco_501058 - GUINÉE - LABÉ Module de 5 francs 1894

GUINEA - LABÉ

The Labé, located on the Fouta-Djalon plateau populated by the Dailonke, owes its name to a chief of this tribe, Manga Labé, king in the 18th century. The region, located at the entrance to the Gulf of Guinea, was of prime economic importance for the boats that came to refuel before starting the crossings to the Americas during the triangular trade. A French protectorate was established over Fouta-Djalon in 1881. Between 1877 and 1898, Aimé Olivier de Sanderval managed, for the Pastre house in Marseille, several counters both on the coast and on the plateau. He obtained from the native chiefs of the region that they recognize him as sovereign of Labé. He behaved like a local kinglet but was never recognized by France. The French occupied Labé from 1896 and the territory became part of French West Africa in 1899.