| The Tuareg, Fulani, Arabs and Songhai are
the main groups that shaped the history of Timbuktu. These group intermarried
and worked together as one united Islamic family.
The Tuaregs
The Tuaregs are nomadic people and desert dwellers. The tuareg are either
Messufa, Lamtuna, or Judaala, they traced their ancestry back to the Sanhaja.
The Sanhaja trace their lineage back to the Himyar who are people of Southern
Arabia. They, however, lived among the Berbers before crossing the Sahara
and settling in West Africa. They are the founders of the city of Timbuktu.
They contributed scholarly and commercially to the legacy of Timbuktu.
Today, the tuareg live in Mali and Niger.
The Fulani
The Fulani are nomadic people. They are well-known for their herds of
cattle. They are astute merchants and excellent Islamic scholars. The
Fulani, the Tuareg and Arabs have been instrumental in spreading Islam
in West Africa. They are nation builders and ruled over the Futa Jallon
and Futa Tora. Under the leadership of Shayk Ahmadu, they formed the caliphate
of Massina. In the 18th century, the famous fulani scholar and warrior
Uthman Dan Fudio founded the Sokoto caliphate in northern Nigeria. The
fulani produced most of the eminent scholars of Jenne and Massina. According
to the manuscript number 43 of Ahmed Baba Center in Timbuktu, the fulani
trace their lineage back to the Koraysh of Mecca through Oqba ibn Yasir
who married a fulani princess of Futa Toro by the name of Madeumaa. From
this marriage she had four boys. They are the ancestors of the Fulani
tribes: these are the Diallo, Dicko, Sangare, Balde' or Ba, Barry and
Diakite. Today, the Fulani are mainly in West Africa.
The Songhai
The Songhai people are sedentary people unlike the tuareg, fulani and
Arabs. Their original capitol was fixed at Kukya, on the border of Niger
and Mali. Later on they intermarried with the Sonike people under the
Sonis and Askias dynasties. They are farmers and fishermen. They are the
founders of the Songhai Empire and have brought a lot of prosperity, prestige
and reputation to the black people. They are good Muslims and have spread
Islam in West Africa. They are generous, noble, hardworking, excellent
and courageous warriors. They are excellent planner and organizers. The
Songhai Empire was one of the most democratic social entity of its time.
The Empire was well managed politically and economically.
Islam arrived in the African continent in the 5th year of Muhammed's
prophethood; this would be around the 7th century (CE) with the migration
of his followers from Mecca to Abyssinia (Ethiopia). These early Muslims
carried the noble message of Islam to Africa even before its explosive
spread throughout the Arabian Peninsula. Upon reaching Abyssinia, the
Muslims met with the King Negus who impressed with their gentle and noble
mannerisms embraced Islam and himself became a Muslim. From there, Islam
spead quickly like wild-fire throughout Bilad-us-Sudan (Black Africa).
Muslim traders from East Africa reached sub-Saharan Africa where the Emperor
of Ghana was also introduced to Islam. Because of their impressive character,
he hired these traders as administraters in his government. They were
so adept at managing his affairs that he himself converted to the Islamic
faith. From there the Muslims reached Timbuktu through the Trans-Saharan
caravan trade. Once in Timbuktu, they settled in Sankore around the 13th
and 14th centuries. They are excellent traders and Islamic scholars. Their
presence in Timbuktu has added more flavor to the already flourishing
intellectual life. Timbuktu was a veritable melting pot. The city welcomed
everyone.
Today, the city continues to attract visitors from away lands. Timbuktu
is the city of light, the city of knowledge...it is the city of trade
and the city of hospitality. Indeed, travelers have said that Timbuktu
is the Rome of the Sudan, the Athena of Africa and the Mecca of the Sahara.
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Women making bread on
the streets of Timbuktu
Quranic school in Timbuktu
Camel rid |
