Mali's Female Power: The Queen Mothers Behind the Throne
The Mali Empire: The Richest Civilization in History — Fexingo HistoryPlay episode
Show notes
In this episode of The Mali Empire: The Richest Civilization in History, Lucas and Luna explore the overlooked but crucial role of queen mothers—women like Qasa, the formidable mother of Mansa Sulayman who clashed with Ibn Battuta during his stay in Niani. We look at how the Kouroukan Fouga, the founding charter of the Mali Empire, granted women political and economic rights centuries ahead of their time. The episode also delves into the story of the queen mother who ruled as regent after Sundiata Keita's death, the influence of royal women on succession and trade, and how the griot tradition preserves these female voices. We examine primary sources like Ibn Battuta's Rihla and the Tarikh al-Sudan, alongside oral traditions from the Mande world. A nuanced portrait of power, gender, and empire in medieval West Africa. #MaliEmpire #QueenMother #Qasa #IbnBattuta #SundiataKeita #MansaSulayman #KouroukanFouga #Mande #Griot #TarikhAlSudan #Rihla #WestAfrica #WomenInHistory #MedievalAfrica #Niani #GenderAndPower #History #FexingoHistory Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo
