The Mandingo people, also known as the Mandinka, are an ethnic group in West Africa with a rich history that stretches back centuries. Here’s an overview of their history: ### Origins and Early History The Mandinka are part of the larger Mande-speaking people, which includes other groups like the Bambara and the Soninke. The Mande people have inhabited West Africa since at least 3000 BCE, developing complex societies along the Niger River. The Mandinka specifically trace their origins to the area around present-day Mali and Guinea. ### The Mali Empire (13th - 16th centuries) The Mandinka are perhaps best known for their role in the Mali Empire, which was one of the largest and most powerful empires in West African history. Founded by the legendary Sundiata Keita in the 13th century, the Mali Empire expanded to include parts of modern-day Mali, Senegal, Guinea, Niger, Nigeria, Chad, Mauritania, and Burkina Faso. Under Sundiata and his successors, particularly Mansa Musa, the empire flourished. Mansa Musa, who ruled from 1312 to 1337, is renowned for his pilgrimage to Mecca in 1324, which showcased the wealth and sophistication of Mali to the wider world. The Mali Empire was a major center of trade, education, and culture, with its capital, Timbuktu, becoming a renowned hub of Islamic learning and commerce. ### Decline of the Mali Empire The empire began to decline in the late 14th century due to internal strife, succession disputes, and external pressures from the Songhai Empire and other neighboring states. By the 16th century, the once-mighty Mali Empire had fragmented into smaller states. ### The Mandinka Kingdoms Following the decline of the Mali Empire, the Mandinka people established several smaller kingdoms throughout West Africa. These included the Kingdom of Kaabu in present-day Guinea-Bissau and Senegal, which was a significant Mandinka state from the 13th to the 19th century. ### Colonial Era and Resistance During the 19th century, European colonial powers began to encroach upon Mandinka territories. The French, British, and Portuguese established colonies in West Africa, leading to conflicts with the Mandinka. One of the most notable figures in Mandinka resistance was Samori Touré, who founded the Wassoulou Empire and resisted French colonial forces until his capture in 1898. ### Modern Era Today, the Mandinka people live primarily in Mali, Guinea, Senegal, The Gambia, and Ivory Coast, as well as in smaller numbers in other West African countries. They continue to maintain their rich cultural traditions, including music, oral storytelling, and the practice of Islam, which has been a significant aspect of Mandinka identity since the days of the Mali Empire. The Mandinka are known for their traditional kora music, a 21-string lute-bridge-harp, and for the griots, who are traditional storytellers, musicians, and oral historians. Despite the challenges of colonialism and modernity, the Mandinka have retained a strong sense of cultural identity and continue to contribute significantly to the cultural tapestry of West Africa.