History of Dionware Island

Dionwar is a small island in West Africa off the coast of Senegal. It is one of nine small islands that at one time long ago was under the rule of a very rich and powerful Chief. He had many children and life was good until one day he came under attack from another powerful Chief.

His first concern was for the safety of his children. He immediately had them to leave and settle on one of the islands known as Sangomar. He remained at Gabou to fight with the invading King from Fouladou. This is the last he saw of his children.

They all arrived there safely and one night the oldest son Maissa Waly was visited by the Spirit of the Sangomar Island and given the instruction as to which of his brothers and sisters were to go to each island.

The names of the islands are as follows: Dionwar, Niodio, Falica, Thialane, Siho, Diogane, Mounde and Djirnda.

Maissa Waly sent his sister Ngondane to Dionwar. She lived there and it is her descendents that live there to this day. The current Chief is Mamadou Ndiaye Kana.

This history was given to me by the son of Rama Ndiaye who is the current Chief’s elder sister.

I am grateful to Mamadou Thior for sharing this history with us.

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