Brak
Brak (or Braque) was the title of the kings of the kingdoms of Waalo (or Oualo) and Biffeche on the Senegal River in Senegal and Mauritania in West Africa until the 19th Century. The main Brak was the king of the Kingdom of Waalo with capital at Diourbel[?] north of the river, and later at Nder[?] on the west shore of Lac de Guiers. The 'Petit Brak' was the king or seigneur of the Kingdom of Biffeche, with his capital compound at Maka[?] on the Senegal River, and currently at MBoubene[?] near Saint-Louis, Senegal[?].The Kingdoms of Waalo and Biffeche were labelled as 'Brak' or 'Braque' on some French maps of the area, not to be confused with the moorish realm of Brakna[?] north of the Senegal River. Waalo was conquered by the French in the mid-19th Century.
The Braks of Waalo were chosen from three leading families of Dyoos, Teedyo and Logar, and ruled through a council consisting of varoius officials with specific delegated functions. It has been claimed that the Brak of Waalo ruled through a local kind of African traditional democracy, but the rulership had definite patrilineal and matrilineal hereditary restrictions. They claimed descent from the legendary first Brak of Waalo and Jolof[?], Njajan Njay[?].
The word 'Brak' may derive from the Arabic word for 'high'.
When we arrived at the gate, the sun was setting behind the tops
their fears of an approaching storm, as masses of low black clouds
pretending to be weather-wise, although I myself had some
a moment for her mistress. I walked across the court to a well-built
and saw before me the most charming spectacle I had ever witnessed.
hall, and surrounding a lady of middle height, with a lovely figure,
was holding a rye loaf in her hand, and was cutting slices for the
She performed her task in a graceful and affectionate manner; each
shouting his thanks. Some of them ran away at once, to enjoy their
the courtyard to see the strangers, and to survey the carriage in
giving you the trouble to come for me, and for keeping the ladies
I leave, had made me forget my children's supper; and they do not
compliment: but my whole soul was absorbed by her air, her voice,
her room to fetch her gloves and fan. The young ones threw inquiring
a most delicious little creature. He drew back; and Charlotte,
cousin." The little fellow obeyed willingly; and I could not
face. "Cousin," said I to Charlotte, as I handed her down, "do
replied, with a ready smile, "Oh! I have such a number of cousins,
In taking leave, she desired her next sister, Sophy, a girl about
good-bye to papa for her when he came home from his ride. She
would herself, upon which some promised that they would; but a
and said, "But Sophy is not you, Charlotte; and we like you best."
request, she permitted them to accompany us a little way through
compliments, making the usual remarks upon each other's dress, and
.
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