Kouroukan Fouga Charter The Constitution of the Mali Empire
The Mali Empire: The Richest Civilization in History — Fexingo HistoryPlay episode
Show notes
In 1235, after the decisive victory at Kirina, Sundiata Keita convened a general assembly at Kangaba to establish the governance of the new Mali Empire. The result was the Kouroukan Fouga, a charter that outlined the rights of clans, the duties of the mansa, environmental protections, and social regulations. This episode explores the origins, content, and legacy of that charter, drawing on oral traditions preserved by the jeliw (griots) and comparisons to other foundational documents. We discuss the Gbara (great assembly), the four clans of power, the prohibition against harming the Niger River, and how the charter influenced Mande society for centuries. What did this document actually say, and how did it shape one of history's richest empires? #KouroukanFouga #SundiataKeita #MaliEmpire #Mansa #Gbara #jeliw #Mande #Kirina #NigerRiver #Kangaba #Constitution #WestAfrica #OralTradition #Sunjata #KeitaDynasty #MedievalAfrica #History #FexingoHistory Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo
