The Golden Age of African Empires: Kanem-Bornu and Mali

As part of the “Bölge Kahraman” program, Africa Without Borders, in partnership with Merhaba Derneği, organized a session dedicated to two major empires in African history: Kanem-Bornu and the Mali Empire. The speakers, Ahmad Mahamat Ismaila and Abdoul-Azize Dabré, presented the millennial trajectory of Kanem-Bornu, its centralized administration, its role in trans-Saharan trade networks, the power of its military apparatus and its extensive diplomatic relations. They highlighted the contribution of this empire to the political, cultural and economic evolution of the continent. In the second part, Daoudé AG Hamma presented the history of the Mali Empire through the founding figure of Sundiata Keita, his political project and the social principles consolidated by the Charter of Kurukan Fuga (Charter of Mande), recognized as one of the first African legal texts devoted to rights, justice and cohesion social. The meeting concluded with an interactive game “Who am I” and a Kahoot intended to reinforce learning. Gifts were given to the winners, in a friendly atmosphere.