Mansa Suleyman's Secret Diplomatic War with the Marinids
The Mali Empire: The Richest Civilization in History — Fexingo HistoryPlay episode
Show notes
In the mid-14th century, the Mali Empire faced a quiet but devastating threat from the Marinid sultan Abu al-Hasan, who sought to control the trans-Saharan trade routes and undermine Mansa Suleyman's authority. This episode uncovers the shadowy diplomatic struggle that played out through spies, forged letters, and economic pressure, as revealed by the Egyptian scholar al-Umari in his Masalik al-Absar. We explore the role of the Dyula merchants, the strategic importance of the salt mines of Taghaza and the trading hub of Sijilmasa, and how Mansa Suleyman's farari and kankoro-sigui worked to counter Marinid influence. We also examine the Qadi's secret embassy to Cairo and the failed plot to replace Suleyman with a rival claimant. This is a story of intrigue, resilience, and the high stakes of Saharan geopolitics. #MaliEmpire #MansaSuleyman #Marinid #AlUmari #MasalikAlAbsar #Dyula #TransSaharanTrade #Taghaza #Sijilmasa #Farari #KankoroSigui #Qadi #14thCentury #WestAfrica #History #FexingoHistory #Diplomacy #Spies Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo
