Everything about Takrur totally explained
Takrur,
Tekrur, or
Tekrour (c.
800 - c.
1285) was an ancient state of
West Africa, which flourished roughly parallel to the
Awkar (the so-called "Ghana Empire").
Origin
The area that would become the kingdom of Takrur was inhabited by
Berber and
Fulbe tribes as early as the
6th century and possibly even earlier. The formation of the state came about as an influx of Fulbe noble clans from the east settled after the formation of the
Soninké state of Ghana.
Center of Trade
Located in the
Senegal Valley, along the border of present-day
Senegal and
Mauritania, it was a trading center, where
gold from the
Bambuk region,
salt from the
Awlil,
Sahel grain, and slaves from the south all passed. It was rival of the Ghana Empire and the two states clashed from time to time with the Soninké usually winning. Despite these clashes, Takrur prospered throughout the
9th and
10th centuries.
Adoption of Islam
Unlike Ghana to its east, the kings of Takrur eventually adopted
Islam. Sometime in the
1030s during the reign of King
War Jabi, the court converted to Islam, the first regent to officially pronounce Orthodoxy in the
Sahel, establishing the faith in the region for centuries to come. This adoption of Islam greatly benefited the state economically and would also affect them in the coming conflicts between the traditionalist state of Ghana and its northern neighbors.
War with Ghana
The king of Takrur sided with the
Berber and
Tuareg tribes of the
Almoravids in their war with the Ghana Empire. When the Ghana Empire was finally conquered in 1076, Takrur was left as the sole power in the region. Integration of Takrur with the Almoravids meant that some of these troops reached all the way to
Andalusia (Spain) with the Almoravid expansion.
Downfall
Takrur wouldn't enjoy its place in the sun very long, however. The Almoravids were quick to leave and many anti-Muslim tribes were eager to take its place. Among these were the
Susu who carved out the sizeable though short-lived
Kaniaga. Waalo, the first
Wolof state, emerged out its south. By the time Mandinka tribes united to form the
Mali Empire in
1235, Takrur was in a steep decline. The state was finally conquered by the usurper emperor
Sabakoura of Mali in the 1280s.
Influence
Later Islamic Takrur kingdoms are often called
Toucouleur, after a
French corruption of "Takrur." The
Denanke Kingdom, and
kingdom of Fuuta Tooro all followed creating powerful Fulbe states over the same general area once ruled by ancient Takrur.
Further Information
Get more info on 'Takrur'.
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