Mansong Diarra
Faama
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Mansong Diarra (c. 1790–1808), also rendered Monzon Jara,[1] was the faama of the Segou Empire.[2] Son of king Ngolo Diarra, he ascended to the throne of Ségou following his father's death in battle.[3]
| Mansong Diarra | |
|---|---|
| Faama | |
| Reign | 1790-1808 |
| Predecessor | Ngolo Diarra |
| Successor | Da Diarra |
| Died | 1808 |
| House | Ngolosi |
| Father | Ngolo Diarra |
| Religion | traditional African religion |
Reign
Mansong's reign was the high point of Segou's power. He built over 300 new villages, welcomed immigrants of various ethnicities, and waged numerous successful campaigns.[4] He earned renown as a great warrior, with defeats against several other groups, including Kaarta, Massina, Dogon, and Mossi.[1]
Mungo Park
Mungo Park, passing through the Bambara capital of Ségou in 1797 recorded a testament to the Empire's prosperity under Mansong:
The view of this extensive city, the numerous canoes on the river, the crowded population, and the cultivated state of the surrounding countryside, formed altogether a prospect of civilization and magnificence that I little expected to find in the bosom of Africa.[5][6]
Mansong himself provided Park with a gift of 5000 cowries to help him on his travels.[7]
Personal life
Mansong was, according to oral histories, a calm, hardworking man, with an astute political mind capable of both great cruelty and mercy.[4] His son Da Mansong Diarra would succeed him after his death.[2][8]