The very close family ties between the spiritual guides of Mouridism and Tidjaniyya in our country are well known. But few know that they are all descendants of Mame Maharame Mbacké, great-grandfather of the founder of Mouridism, Sheikh Ahmadou Bamba, and the first caliph of the Tidianes, El Hadj Malick Sy. Not to mention that Mame Abdoul Aziz Sy Dabakh bears the blood of Mame Maharame Mbacké, both on his maternal and paternal side.

One day, Serigne Maodo Sy Dabakh went to the General Caliph of the Mourides, the late Serigne Sidy Moctar Mbacké, with the aim of strengthening the ties between the Mouride and Tidian communities, with the blessing of the General Caliph of the Tidianes, the late Serigne Mansour Sy Borom Daraji. He said he was following in the footsteps of the venerated Serigne Abdoul Aziz Sy, who had strived throughout his life to drive out the demons of division. This noble approach of the religious guides of the Tidian and Mouride brotherhoods seems, in the eyes of some informed observers, to be part of the normal course of events.

And for good reason! They are all grandsons of the same man, the revered Mame Maharame Mbacké. His three sons gave birth to the leaders of the two most important religious brotherhoods in the country. While his daughter is the great-grandmother of Serigne Hady Touré, renowned spiritual guide, singer of the Prophet Mohamed (PBUH) and his master Sheikh Ahmed Tidjani. According to writings, the revered Serigne Abdoul Aziz Sy Dabakh studied humanities with the holy man who was able to perpetuate the spiritual legacy of Maodo Malick Sy.

 

Sokhna Mame Diarra Bousso and Mame Mor Anta Sali Mbacké, from the same branch

Indeed, one of Mame Maharame Mbacké's sons, Mame Balla Aïcha Mbacké, is the father of Mame Mor Anta Sali Mbacké, who is the father of the founder of Mouridism, Serigne Touba. It should also be noted that the venerated Sokhna Diarra Bousso is a descendant of this lineage. Although having Cherifian origins, the holy woman is the daughter of Sokhna Asta Walo Mbacké, a descendant of Mame Maharame Mbacké.

This last Sheikh, presented as a scholar, was able to inscribe his name in posterity through a line of virtue, with a solid Koranic education and a profound mastery of Sufism at the base.

The religious city of Tivaouane, capital of the Tidjaniya in our country, also owes him a great deal. The venerated Serigne Abdoul Aziz Sy Dabakh is the descendant of his two other sons: Thierno Farimata Mbacké and Ahmad Farimata Mbacké. Thierno Farimata Mbacké is the father of Mame Khary Mbacké, mother of Ngagne Niang, father of Safiatou Niang, who is the mother of Serigne Abdoul Aziz Sy Dabakh, born from her union with El Hadj Malick Sy, who greatly contributed to the spread of the Tidian brotherhood.

On the other hand, the direct ascendant of Abdoul Aziz Sy Dabakh is the son of Mame Fawad Wélé and Ousmane Sy, who is the son of Demba Bouna Sy and Maty Mbacké. The latter, who is presented as a model of piety, is the daughter of Ahmad Farimata, son of Mame Maharame Mbacké.

Marabout and eminent jurist, Mame Maharame Mbacké, who left an indelible mark on the history of the country's religious life, does not seem very well known to current generations. But part of his life has been immortalized in a few writings. In a detailed work entitled "Touba, the capital of the Mourides," the fruit of extensive scientific research conducted in collaboration with IRD Paris and Dakar, Enda and Khartala (Paris), the author, Cheikh Guèye, lifts a corner of the veil on this multidimensional man.

An exceptional man!

Born in 1703, Mame Maharame Mbacké, who lived to be 99, left his mark on the 18th century in his own way. He raised his descendants in an environment marked by piety and divine worship. He was able to instill Islamic knowledge in them. The holy man also distinguished himself by his sharpness of mind and his unparalleled wisdom. Cheikh Guèye, in his work "Touba the capital of the Mourides", attributes to him the paternity of Mbacké, the mother city of the Mouride brotherhood.

He added that "it was in 1770 that Mame Maharame Mbacké, great-grandfather of Cheikh Ahmadou Bamba, arrived in Cayor from Djolof. An eminent jurist, specializing in inheritance matters, attached to several courts (Cayor, Baol, Saloum), he enjoyed a certain prestige." In the context of the late 18th century, the religious figures who emerged in the Wolof country had mainly acquired their power through war, causing internal rivalries.

Thus, oral tradition describes Mame Maharame Mbacké as "a fine Muslim scholar, brilliant above all for his independence of mind." The author adds: "But his success is undoubtedly also linked to the Islamic sensitivity of certain sovereigns of the time who had already, for several years, favored the marabouts attached to their courts. It was undoubtedly the prestige and usefulness of Mame Maharame Mbacké that pushed Damel Amari Ngoné to grant him a land concession."

Honored by Damel Amari Ngoné

Indeed, according to the book, in 1795, after the assassination of Serigne Malamine Sarr, a colleague, it was Mame Maharame Mbacké who managed to convince the Damel to release the marabouts who had decided to avenge their colleague. He was subsequently honored by the Damel for his act of bravery. "He offered him the concession where Mbacké was built. It was a vast space. The region was mainly made up of pastures occupied in a diffuse manner by transhumant Fulani herders. When Mame Maharame Mbacké's family settled there, a school was opened and a farm was initiated. The school, run by the family and other disciples of Mame Maharame, prospered quite quickly and became a village, in a short time, doubled by the marabout's farm.

Gradually, Mbacké established himself within the network. Mame Maharame Mbacké died in 1802. His successor, Mame Balla, grandfather of Cheikh Ahmadou Bamba, increased the school's prestige by bringing in renowned teachers and welcoming students from diverse backgrounds.

Mame Maharame Mbacké offered Muslims a valuable lineage that knew how to develop a spiritual path that leads to the truth...