Almamy

Almamy (other spelling: Almami or Almaami ) is a West African ruler title. In the 18th and 19th centuries Almamy was the title of Muslim military leader in various West African Fulani states, including Fouta Toro (from 1776), Bundu , Melakori , Safroko and the emirate of Liptako . The title is derived either from the Arabic wordالإمام / al-Imam / al-Imamu ex. According to another interpretation, the origin of the term is a contraction of the Arabicأمير المؤمنين / amīr al-muʾminīn , which is commonly translated as leader of the believers or prince of the believers . Amir al-Mu'minin is also equated with the title of caliph in the Arab world .

Almamy Samory Touré (1830-1900) was the best known holder of this title.