16th century
Western Songhay, Timbuktu, and Gao
Balma Sadiq was a Songhay royal prince and military commander whose revolt in 1588 mobilized the western provinces and the political community of Timbuktu against the ruling court at Gao. He gained support from merchants, imams, officials, artisans, Tuareg leadership, and provincial chiefs, was declared askiya by his army, and was defeated and killed in the ensuing civil war.
Continue exploring
The Story
Balma Sadiq was a son of Askiya Dawud and held the office of balma, commander of Songhay troops in the western provinces. His position placed him at the centre of the crisis that began at Kabara, where his slave was flogged and imprisoned by the Kabara-farma Alu. Balma Sadiq killed Alu and then called on his brother Kurmina-fari Salih to march against Gao.
The revolt acquired broad support in the western provinces. Timbuktu’s merchants supplied gold, imams prayed for Balma Sadiq in the mosque, tailors made garments for him, and the city’s officials and Tuareg chief pledged their support. Local rulers and royal princes across the western provinces joined him, creating a coalition opposed to the eastern court and the reigning Askiya Muhammad Bani.
After Muhammad Bani’s death, Balma Sadiq was proclaimed askiya by his army. A week later his forces met the army supporting Askiya Ishaq. Balma Sadiq was defeated, pursued, and killed; the western chiefs were then deposed and imprisoned, and the region’s military capacity was severely damaged.
16th century
Western Songhay, Timbuktu, and Gao
Balma Sadiq was a Songhay royal prince and military commander whose revolt in 1588 mobilized the western provinces and the political community of Timbuktu against the ruling court at Gao. He gained support from merchants, imams, officials, artisans, Tuareg leadership, and provincial chiefs, was declared askiya by his army, and was defeated and killed in the ensuing civil war.
Continue exploring
The Story
Balma Sadiq was a son of Askiya Dawud and held the office of balma, commander of Songhay troops in the western provinces. His position placed him at the centre of the crisis that began at Kabara, where his slave was flogged and imprisoned by the Kabara-farma Alu. Balma Sadiq killed Alu and then called on his brother Kurmina-fari Salih to march against Gao.
The revolt acquired broad support in the western provinces. Timbuktu’s merchants supplied gold, imams prayed for Balma Sadiq in the mosque, tailors made garments for him, and the city’s officials and Tuareg chief pledged their support. Local rulers and royal princes across the western provinces joined him, creating a coalition opposed to the eastern court and the reigning Askiya Muhammad Bani.
After Muhammad Bani’s death, Balma Sadiq was proclaimed askiya by his army. A week later his forces met the army supporting Askiya Ishaq. Balma Sadiq was defeated, pursued, and killed; the western chiefs were then deposed and imprisoned, and the region’s military capacity was severely damaged.
Continue the journey
Other paths related to this story.