There is not much evidence and information about the primary inhabitant of Cote d’Ivoire. Though, the first recorded is discovered in the history of North African Traders who traveled across Sahara to trade mainly salt, gold, and slave. It is recorded that Cote d’Ivoire was part of several Sudanic Empires: Ghana Empire, Mali Empire, and Songhai Empire. Moreover, these empires adopted Islam from the Arab traders; as a result, Islam was spread to Cote d’Ivoire.
Ghana Empire is located north of contemporary Cote d’Ivoire. It gained power and wealth from gold; moreover, it introduced the use of camel, which helped the empire to be able to transport gold in larger quantity. It had capital city named “Kumbi Saleh”, and it located at the edge of the Sahara. This city immediately became the most lively and significant southern end of Sahara trade route; furthermore, this city contributed to the empire wealth by taxation. Later on, this Empire declined due to many reasons: the king lost his trade authority and drought happened, which caused the land to lose its ability to do agriculture on. After the decline, many other empires targeted Ghana Empire for its gold; in the end, Ghana Empire was absorbed by Mali Empire of Sudiata.
Mali Empire acquired northwest corner of Cote d’Ivoire, and it deeply influenced the culture of West Africa by spreading its language and laws. This empire was founded by sultan Sundiata in the 13th Century. Though, the most famous ruler of this empire is Mansa Musa, who ruled from about 1312 to 1332; during his reign, he doubled Mali Empire’s territory. He was also known for his journey to Mecca, in which he brought 60,000 people, 200 camels, and gold with him. Like Ghana Empire, Mali became the important trading center of Western Africa. Other than that it was the trade center, it was also the center of wealth, culture, and education. For that reason, many libraries and universities were built, and it became the meeting place of poets, scholars, and artists. Then, Mansa Musa conquered the neighboring kingdom, Songhai Empire; but after his death, Mali Empire started to fell apart and Songhai Empire regained its independent.
After Songhai Empire regained its capital, Sonni Ali, the new leader of Songhai Empire, conquered many neighboring empire, including Mali Empire. He was the greatest military leader of Songhai Empire; he gained more than 1,400,000 square kilometers of land for Songhai Empire. He also controlled important trade route, which brought so much wealth to the empire. Despite his greatness, Sonni Ali was as a intolerant tyrant in many African record after he caused harm to the city of Timbuktu. Sonni Ali later was overthrown by Askia the Great. Askia the Great reorganized the conquered territory and expanded it even more. However, Songhai Empire fall, and was divided into warring kingdoms.
There is not much information about the Empires that were associated with Cote d’Ivoire. Some historians believe that the reason that there are not many evidences because they are not well preserved in the country’s humid climate. Some believe that the evidences were displaced. The history of Cote d’Ivoire remains a mystery and it requires historians and archeologists to study Cote d’Ivoire in a deeper level.
One response to “History of Cote d’Ivoire”