Bambara–Massina Conflicts

Mali · 1818–1862

“Hear the Niger inland delta, where Segu, Massina and Umar Tall fought for river power.”

The Niger inland delta controlled herds, rice, trade routes and river towns. The Bambara kingdom of Segu held influence there until 1818, when Seku Amadu's jihad created the Fulani-led Massina Empire with a new capital at Hamdullahi.

Jelikan · Ìtàn · A story is told at night

Sit by the fire.
The griot remembers.

244 tellings from the African Conflict Atlas, every one carried in the griot's own voice — empires and uprisings, taxes and stools, gold roads and broken promises. Told the way a griot tells them: by voice, by lesson, by question.

“A story, a story!”

32 fires burn through the year →

Choose a thread

What shall the fire hear tonight?

Tonight

All time

1200 CEToday

— and the circle answers: “Let it come, let it go.”

Sit by the fire.The griot remembers.

What shall the fire hear tonight?

Sit by the fire.
The griot remembers.