Senegambia (Dutch West India Company)

Senegambia, also known in Dutch as Bovenkust ("Upper Coast"), was the collective noun for the fortifications and trading posts owned by the Dutch West India Company (DWIC) in the region now known as Senegal. The main purpose of these trading posts was to obtain slaves in order to ship them to the Americas. 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.

For the late 20th-century confederation between Senegal and Gambia, see Senegambia Confederation.

Senegambia Bovenkust
1617–1678
Flag Coat of arms
Scheme of the fortifications on Gorée in 1772 by Jacobus van der Schley
Status	Dutch colony
Capital	Gorée
Common languages	Dutch
Religion	Dutch Reformed
History
• Established	1617
• Disestablished	1678
Succeeded by French West India Company

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 to 1663 and 1664 to 1677.
  • on Goreé were two fortifications: Fort Nassau (near Fort St. Francois) to the north part of the island and Fort Orange (near Fort St. Michel) on the south end of the island.

Trading posts:

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