Passion or Profession: Religious Leader

Period: 1850–1927

Cheik Amadaou Bamba was a Muslim holy man who developed a great following in Senegal. The French authorities were threatened by his following and exiled him to Gabon and Mauritania. However, the exile did nothing to dampen the devotion of his followers, who continue to tell miraculous tales of that time. His followers near-worship of Bamba has caused some friction with other Muslims.