Senegambia (Dutch West India Company)

Gorée (1772), by Jacobus van der Schley

Senegambia (also known as Bovenkust in Dutch, trl: Upper Coast) was the collective noun for the fortifications and trading posts owned by the Dutch West India Company in the area that nowadays is called Senegal. The main purpose of these trading posts was to obtain slaves in order to ship them to America . The government of the territory was based on Gorée. In 1677 the Dutch lost this island to France. The next year the French also conquered all DWIC trading posts on the Senegalese coast as well as the island of Arguin.

Having lost almost all the trade in gum arabic, bezoar stone, ambergris and ostrich feathers, the DWIC wanted to regain its position. The Frenchman Jean du Casse, head of the Compagnie de Sénégal, reached an agreement with the local leaders, who decided to destroy the Dutch trading posts and the DWIC lost its position for good.

Senegambia possessions of the DWIC

• Gorée: 1617 - 1663, 1664 - 1677.

With the fortifications: Nassau and Orange.

Trading posts:

• Portudal: 1633 - 1678. Here the DWIC bought slaves and ivory.
• Rufisque: 1633 - 1678.
• Joal: 1633 - 1678.