Takrur facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Takrur
500s–1456
Capital	Tumbere Jiinge (Dya'ogo, Tonjon, Manna dynasties), Taaga (Laam Taga), Hoorewendu (Laam Termess}
Common languages	Serer Fula, Arabic
Religion	Serer religion Islam (Official)
Government	Monarchy
• 1030s	War Jabi
Historical era	Middle Ages
• Established	500s
• Establishment of Manna dynasty by Mamadu Sumaare	c. 826
• Adoption of Islam by War Jabi	1030s
• Fula Laam Termess dynasty come to power	1122
• Conquered and vassalized by Mali Empire	1285
• Conquered by Jolof Empire	1456
Succeeded by Jolof Empire Denianke Kingdom

Takrur, also known as Tekrur, was an important kingdom in West Africa. It was located in the Senegal River valley. This kingdom existed from around 500 AD until about 1456. Takrur was strongest during the 900s and 1000s. It was around the same time as the famous Ghana Empire.

History of Takrur

How Takrur Began

Historians have different ideas about how the Kingdom of Takrur started. One idea is that it formed when Fulani people moved into the Senegal valley. Another idea suggests that Takrur grew from a mix of Berbers from the Sahara desert and local farming groups. These local groups were mainly Serer people.

The Serer language and their traditional Serer religion were very important in Takrur's culture. Some think the outsiders might have been Soninke instead of Berbers. The local people might have already spoken Fula. No matter how it started, the area was a mix of many groups. Over time, the Fula people became the main group.

Early Rulers and Dynasties

The first ruling family was called the Dya'ogo dynasty. They were known as blacksmith-kings. People believe they brought iron-working to the region. After them came the Tonjon dynasty, who were Serer.

Many historians agree that the Serer people moved away from Takrur in the 1000s. This happened after Islam and its laws (Sharia) became official in the kingdom. The Serer lamanic class were spiritual leaders. They resisted the new religion to protect their beliefs and their power. Early Arab writers sometimes called non-Muslims lamlam or lemlem. Scholars think this might have come from the Serer title lamaan.

The Manna Dynasty and Islam

The Soninke Sumaare family, led by Mamadu Sumaare, took over Takrur in 826. They came from a place called Wagadu or the Kingdom of Diarra. This family started the Manna dynasty.

Arab writings first mentioned Takrur in the 900s. In 1035, King War Jabi made Islamic law (Sharia) the official law. He was the first ruler in the Sahel region to do this. Later, in 1056, his son Laba fought alongside an important leader named Yahya ibn Umar al-Lamtuni.

During this time, Takrur was a major trading center. It controlled many trading posts and cities. These places connected the salt mines of Awlil near the coast to the inner parts of Africa.

The last Manna king, Cengaan Sumaare, was known as a cruel ruler. Even though Takrur had been allies with the Almoravids, he was overthrown. Abu Bakr ibn Umar took over in 1082. He started the Berber Laam Taga dynasty. This dynasty only lasted 40 years.

In 1122, the Fula Laam Termess dynasty defeated them. Under these new rulers, the area of Futa Toro became mostly Fula. In the 1200s, a civil war happened between the Muslim Fula and the Serer people. The Serer followed their traditional religion. Instead of changing their beliefs, they moved southwest. They went to the Ferlo Desert and then to Siin and Saloum.

Takrur's Decline and New Empires

When the Ghana Empire fell, it caused many political changes in the region. The Susu people created a large, but short-lived, empire. Takrur became a part of it. After the Susu, the powerful Mali Empire took over Takrur in the same way.

The Jolof emperor Tyukuli N'Diklam conquered Takrur in the 1400s. He divided the region among several governors called farba. By 1506, the Jolof emperor's power was weakening. The farba started fighting among themselves.

In 1521, a Fula warlord named Koli Tengella conquered the area. He was from Takrur but came from Futa Jallon. He set up the Denanke dynasty. This dynasty ruled until 1776. At that time, Muslim religious leaders led the Fouta Revolution. They took over the kingdom and ended the Denanke rule.

Key Dates in Takrur's History

Here are some important dates and events for Takrur. Much of this information comes from oral histories, so some details might be debated by different historians.

Takrur's Economy

Takrur was located in the Senegal valley, near where Senegal and Mauritania are today. This made it a very important place for trade. People traded gold from the Bambuk region and salt from Awlil. They also exchanged grain from the Sahel for items like wool, copper, beads, and jewelry.

Takrur was also known for its cloth. People in Takrur were among the first to grow cotton and make cotton fabric. This cloth was one of the kingdom's most famous exports.

Takrur's Territory

When Takrur was at its strongest, it controlled the northern bank of the Senegal River. Its power reached as far as the Tagant plateau and Aleg. The Gorgol river valley was the central part of the kingdom. The Dya'ogo capital city, Tumbere Jiinge, was located there. Takrur also controlled, or had a lot of influence over, the area downstream that later became Waalo.

The Name "Takrur"

The word "Takruri" was sometimes used to refer to all people from West Africa. This is similar to how "Bilad-ul-Sudan" was used. Even today, in the Middle East, people might use a changed version like Takruni (plural Takarna) in Saudi Arabia. In Ethiopia and Eritrea, they use the form Tukrir. A district in Cairo called Bulaq Al-Dakrur is named after a holy person from West Africa. The Toucouleur people are still called Tukrir in the Middle East.

The people of the region used the name Takrur until the 1400s. However, during the 1500s and 1600s, the name Futa Toro slowly replaced it.

See also

• Serer people
• Fula people
• Toucouleur people
• Serer ancient history
• States headed by Serer Lamanes
• Timeline of Serer history