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← The Mali Empire: The Richest Civilization in History — Fexingo History
Mali's Diplomatic Corps: Envoys of the Golden Empire artwork

Mali's Diplomatic Corps: Envoys of the Golden Empire

The Mali Empire: The Richest Civilization in History — Fexingo History
S2 E8308:03
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Show notes

Long before modern embassies, the Mali Empire maintained a sophisticated network of diplomats, envoys, and emissaries who crisscrossed the Sahara and the Sahel. This episode follows the footsteps of Mansa Musa's ambassadors to Cairo and beyond, explores the protocol of the Mande court at Niani, and reveals how the kankoro-sigui managed foreign relations. We look at the famous embassy to the Marinid sultan in Fez, the role of the tilibas as elite messengers, and the diplomatic gifts—gold, slaves, and salt—that spoke volumes. Drawing on Ibn Battuta's accounts and the Tarikh al-Sudan, Lucas and Luna uncover a world of alliances, hostage-taking, and the delicate balance of power between Mali, Songhay, and the Mossi states. This is the untold story of how Mali's soft power matched its gold. #MaliEmpire #Diplomacy #MansaMusa #KankoroSigui #Tilibas #Niani #Fez #Marinid #IbnBattuta #TarikhAlSudan #Mande #Wangara #Songhay #Mossi #Sahara #MedievalAfrica #History #FexingoHistory Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo

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