History of the Soninke people facts for kids

The Soninke people are an ethnic group from West Africa. They live across the Sahel region, which is a dry area just south of the Sahara Desert. Their long history, known from old stories, writings from the Middle Ages, and modern studies, goes back thousands of years to before 1000 BCE. The Soninke people were the founders and rulers of the powerful Ghana Empire, also called Wagadou. They also led smaller states like Gajaaga, Guidimakha, and Kaarta.

How the Soninke Began

Ancient Legends

Soninke storytellers, called Griots, say that the first ruler of their empire was a special leader named Dingha Cisse. Legends say he came from "the East," perhaps from Aswan, Egypt, or Mali. He brought his people together to form a strong group against other tribes and "nomadic raiders." To gain power, he had to defeat a goblin and then marry the goblin's daughters. These daughters became the ancestors of the main families in the region.

After Dingha died, his two sons, Khine and Dyabe, fought over who would be king. Dyabe, feeling defeated, made a deal with a huge black snake that had seven heads, named Bida. Dyabe promised to sacrifice a young woman to the snake every year if Bida helped him win against his brother. Dyabe kept his promise to Bida until he died.

Clues from Archaeology

In 1969, a researcher named Patrick Munson found exciting things at Dhar Tichitt. This place is linked to the ancestors of the Soninke. His findings showed a complex culture existed there by 1600 BCE. The buildings and items found were similar to those discovered at Koumbi Saleh in the 1920s.

The earliest form of the Ghana Empire likely grew from many ancient farming and herding communities. These communities, related to the Mandé peoples, lived across the western part of the Niger River basin for over a thousand years, from about 1300 BCE to 300 BCE. Munson thought that around 700 BCE, raiders from North Africa might have attacked and damaged this growing state.

However, opening trade routes across the desert changed things. Instead of raiding, people started trading. The Soninke people became strong again around 300 BCE. Trade across the Sahara Desert and the arrival of ironworking technology were very important for the state to grow. Discoveries at Dhar Tichitt, Dhar Nema, and Dhar Walata show that as the desert grew, local groups moved south. They went to areas in what is now northern Mali, where there was still plenty of water.

The Ghana Empire

The Ghana Empire, also known by its Soninke name Wagadou, was a powerful state that lasted from about 300 CE to 1100 CE. The empire became very rich by controlling important trade routes. These routes moved valuable goods like gold, salt, copper, textiles, beads, and other finished products. Over time, the religion of Islam became widely accepted in the empire.

In the 12th century, the empire started to weaken. This was partly due to the rising power of the Almoravids, a group from North Africa, and also because of severe droughts. As the main empire grew weaker, some of the smaller states that used to be under its control became independent.

The Legend of Wagadu's Fall

For the Soninke people, the decline of their great empire is explained by a famous legend. It tells of Wagadu and how the special agreement between the empire and the black snake, Bida, was broken.

The story says that one year, the nobles chose Siya Yatabare as the young woman to be sacrificed to the snake. She was the most beautiful and pure young woman that year. But Siya was also engaged to be married to a man named Maadi. Maadi was known for always keeping his promises. When Maadi heard that his fiancée would be given to "Bida," the black snake of Wagadu, he promised Siya that she would not die in the well of Wagadu.

Siya tried to convince him that it was her fate. She told him he should let her be the gift to the snake to save the empire. But Maadi refused. Within days, he asked his friend, a blacksmith named Bomou, to sharpen his sword.

When the day of the sacrifice came, Maadi went towards the well of Wagadu. Siya Yatabare was dressed beautifully, and her hair was braided with gold. The praise-singer and her family encouraged her. When they left, she saw Maadi, and they both cried. Siya told him that if he killed the snake, Wagadu would have no more rain, and the empire would be destroyed forever. Maadi still refused, saying their destinies were set. He left her and hid nearby to wait for the snake.

The snake of Wagadu had seven heads. When the snake brought out its first head, Maadi cut it off. He did the same for all the other heads. When the snake brought out its last head, which was silver, the night became as bright as day. The snake then spoke, saying, "I swear by the lord of seven heads, for seven years and seven bad years, and for seven months and seven bad months, for seven days and seven bad days, Wagadu will not receive any rain or any piece of gold." Maadi didn't care and cut off the last head. The snake died.

Maadi gave Siya his shoes, the cover for his sword, his ring, and his special cap. He told her that if anyone asked what happened the next day, she should give them these items. Maadi then went to his village and told his mother everything. His mother said, "You are my only son, and you killed Bida because of your fiancée. The nobles of Wagadu will try to punish you. I promise, in your father's memory, I will do everything to protect you from Wagadu."

When the sun rose, the nobles asked the praise-singer to check the well of Wagadu. When they saw Siya and the snake's heads in the well, they asked her what happened. She gave them the items Maadi had given her. The nobles from the 99 villages called everyone to come and try on the items. When Maadi wore the shoes, the cap, and the ring, everything fit perfectly. People knew he had killed the snake.

They were about to take him when his mother stepped in. She said, "I thought there were brave men in Wagadu, but I don't see any. You are afraid of the snake's prediction even before you die. But one thing is sure: no one will kill my son because of a snake. I don't see any real men here. You will learn that my simple loincloth is better than all your fancy trousers put together. During those seven bad years, seven bad months, and seven bad days, I will take care of Wagadu's needs in exchange for my son's life and his marriage to Siya Yatabare."

With shame, the leaders of Wagadu agreed to her terms. After Maadi's mother died, the nobles of Wagadu met. They decided that she had kept her promise, and the agreement was over. The nation's fate would now come true. Wagadu changed from a fertile land to a dry one, and there was no more rain. The children of Dingha, the Soninke, were forced to leave their home, which had become impossible to live in. And so, each family went their own way.

Soninke People Spread Out

After the Ghana Empire (Wagadou) fell, the Soninke people spread out across West Africa. They were looking for better places to live. They mixed with different ethnic groups they met, which led to the creation of new groups like the Marka people, the Yarse, and the Diakhanke. Some Soninke even traveled as far as the lands of the Akan people in modern-day Ghana and to what is now northern Nigeria. However, the Soninke kingdoms of Gajaaga and Kaarta continued to exist. The Soninke people who moved to different areas have played a very important role in the history of many states in West Africa ever since.

See also

• Ghana Empire
• Kaya Magan Cissé