Amazing Article! I feel like Ghana is always given the short end of the stick and it's contribution to the states of the Niger bend that succeeded it is downplayed. Same with the fact the Almoravid myth has literally distorted so much of Ghana's history on the internet. There is a lot of things said in this article that shocked me. I did not know Ghana emerged to even become a stronger state, so much to the point that one of their kinglets asserted influence over the Almoravid king. I think in general, the history of the early Western Sudan is understudied and often misunderstood or just purposely distorted. Understanding the history of states like Ghana, Takrur, Gao and Tadmekka are central to understanding later Western Sudanese history. What is amazing is that the Soninke were still able to remain very influential even after the fall of Ghana, the ruling class of the Songhai empire was basically Soninke. I wonder however if there is a parallel to Ghana's contribution to the states of the Niger bend with the medieval Central Sahara (Garamantes, Zuwila, Kanem etc).
It is probably a lot more complex situation then west Africa since the kingdom of Zuwila was relatively a weak kingdom but had a lot of influence on early Kanem and vice versa. Kanem definitely was influenced greatly by the Fezzan, Kanem Oasis towns almost look extremely identical to Garamante towns (compare Djado to Garama for example) but overall Kanem asserted a lot more influence on the Fezzan then vice versa, not to mention the Tripoli-Bornu route that probably predates Islamic influence. Perhaps what the Ghana empire was to Mali was what the Garamantes were to Kanem (lets not forget the Garamantes also expanded as far as Nubia according to ptolemy).
and was there contact between the Garamantes and tichitt? don't know why but something like that could have very well been possible, do not remember where but I remember reading that the Ancient Fezzan and Tichitt could have influenced one another. Anyways, this was a amazing article, keep up the good work.
This is first off amazing info and knowledge hopefully more of the history of ancient West Africa will be uncovered and be thought also I have a question have you read the book titled Ancient Middle Niger by Roderick James McIntosh I've been meaning to get it myself however I haven't had the chance I figure you may be interested in it though.
Sorry if these are too many questions but I must ask have you heard of the Serer people of SeneGambia and Mauritania, they have quite an interesting history and religious beliefs and you mentioned that the Soninke practiced a Serpent ancestral type religion. Do you think there may be a connection between both ethnic groups?
Amazing Article! I feel like Ghana is always given the short end of the stick and it's contribution to the states of the Niger bend that succeeded it is downplayed. Same with the fact the Almoravid myth has literally distorted so much of Ghana's history on the internet. There is a lot of things said in this article that shocked me. I did not know Ghana emerged to even become a stronger state, so much to the point that one of their kinglets asserted influence over the Almoravid king. I think in general, the history of the early Western Sudan is understudied and often misunderstood or just purposely distorted. Understanding the history of states like Ghana, Takrur, Gao and Tadmekka are central to understanding later Western Sudanese history. What is amazing is that the Soninke were still able to remain very influential even after the fall of Ghana, the ruling class of the Songhai empire was basically Soninke. I wonder however if there is a parallel to Ghana's contribution to the states of the Niger bend with the medieval Central Sahara (Garamantes, Zuwila, Kanem etc).
It is probably a lot more complex situation then west Africa since the kingdom of Zuwila was relatively a weak kingdom but had a lot of influence on early Kanem and vice versa. Kanem definitely was influenced greatly by the Fezzan, Kanem Oasis towns almost look extremely identical to Garamante towns (compare Djado to Garama for example) but overall Kanem asserted a lot more influence on the Fezzan then vice versa, not to mention the Tripoli-Bornu route that probably predates Islamic influence. Perhaps what the Ghana empire was to Mali was what the Garamantes were to Kanem (lets not forget the Garamantes also expanded as far as Nubia according to ptolemy).
and was there contact between the Garamantes and tichitt? don't know why but something like that could have very well been possible, do not remember where but I remember reading that the Ancient Fezzan and Tichitt could have influenced one another. Anyways, this was a amazing article, keep up the good work.
Brilliant, I am a soninke and extensively read about my origins but this is one of the most compelling,
best researched and most comprehensive essay about ancient Ghana/Wagadu.
This is first off amazing info and knowledge hopefully more of the history of ancient West Africa will be uncovered and be thought also I have a question have you read the book titled Ancient Middle Niger by Roderick James McIntosh I've been meaning to get it myself however I haven't had the chance I figure you may be interested in it though.
I can help you turn your article into an audio book for $4000 dollars. Please email me at
johnsot@gmail.com if you are interested. I can also show you samples of my work so that you know that the audio recording will be very professional.
Have a question pertaining to this topic actually if you don't mind me asking?
Sorry if these are too many questions but I must ask have you heard of the Serer people of SeneGambia and Mauritania, they have quite an interesting history and religious beliefs and you mentioned that the Soninke practiced a Serpent ancestral type religion. Do you think there may be a connection between both ethnic groups?