Mansa Uli and the Golden Spear: Mali's Forgotten Conqueror
The Mali Empire: The Richest Civilization in History — Fexingo HistoryPlay episode
Show notes
When Mansa Musa died in 1337, Mali's throne passed to his son Maghan, whose brief reign ended in chaos. From the shadows emerged Mansa Uli—Musa's uncle, a seasoned general who had already conquered Gao and Takedda. This episode uncovers Uli's forgotten reign, his brutal campaign to reclaim Songhay, and the golden spear that became his symbol. We explore the rivalry with his nephew, the fragile peace he brokered with the Mossi, and how his death set the stage for the empire's slow decline. Drawing on the Tarikh al-Sudan, Ibn Battuta's Rihla, and jeli oral traditions, Lucas and Luna piece together the story of a king who held Mali together when it could have shattered. Along the way, they consider why Uli's legacy was nearly erased, and what his reign says about succession in the Mande world. #MansaUli #MaliEmpire #MansaMusa #Songhay #Gao #Takedda #TarikhAlSudan #IbnBattuta #Mande #jeli #WestAfrica #History #FexingoHistory #MedievalAfrica #Succession #Gold #NigerRiver #SundiataKeita Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo
