In 1710, the islands now named Syana were discovered, conquered and enslaved by foreign colonizers, leading to great famine and poverty amongst the native people. The colonizers systematically opressed the traditions and culture of the native tribes, making celebrating their festivals and worshipping their gods a crime. This tyranny lasted for one-hundred-and-three years until the Kaan-Daal Revolt.
The largest work-camp on the island was on the site of historic pilgrimage for the native tribes, which is now known as Kaan-Daal (free city) and was also close to the home of the chief governer of the islands. In the year 1813 a group of 460 slaves banded together and overthrew their masters. This sparked movements all across the islands for the oppressed to break free. The leader of this revolution, a woman named Laana Kaa, inspired all to "mok oaadi-oaa’syanisa-di-bia-laas" (bite like the great snake). This led to the island being renamed to Omaani-di-syanisa, meaning the land of the snake. This was eventually shortened to Syana, which officialy became the nation's name in 1815 when the islands of Syana became a recognized country for the first time.