14th century – 16th century
Mauritania, Massina, Futa Toro, Futa Djallon, and Upper Senegal
The Fulbe migrations described here were movements of cattle-breeding communities across the western Sahel during the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries. Originating in the region of Termes, they were driven by inadequate pasture and pressure from Tuareg groups. Different migration waves reached Massina, Futa Toro, Rio Grande, and Futa Djallon, where they reshaped political authority and challenged Mali and earlier dynasties.
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The Story
During the fifteenth century, as Mali’s power declined in the Sahel, waves of Fulbe migrants moved southward from Termes, in present-day Mauritania. The account attributes this movement to inadequate pasture for growing cattle-breeding populations and to pressure from Tuareg groups of the Sahara. Migration therefore linked environmental constraints with wider political change.
One wave reached Massina, where the Fulbe became reluctant subjects of successive imperial authorities. Other groups, identified as Lam Termes and Lam Taga, reached Futa Toro and overthrew the Tondyon dynasty, which was probably a Mali vassal. Futa Toro then fragmented into small units lacking political cohesion, creating conditions for further struggles among regional powers.
Another migration wave crossed the Upper Senegal and Gambia rivers toward Rio Grande in the middle of the fifteenth century. After defeat by the local population, survivors reorganized on the Futa Djallon highlands, which they considered suitable for cattle. In the 1460s, Tengella emerged as leader of the Fulbe of Futa Djallon and brought Tenda, Djallonke, Landoumas, and Malinke groups under his leadership.
14th century – 16th century
Mauritania, Massina, Futa Toro, Futa Djallon, and Upper Senegal
The Fulbe migrations described here were movements of cattle-breeding communities across the western Sahel during the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries. Originating in the region of Termes, they were driven by inadequate pasture and pressure from Tuareg groups. Different migration waves reached Massina, Futa Toro, Rio Grande, and Futa Djallon, where they reshaped political authority and challenged Mali and earlier dynasties.
Continue exploring
The Story
During the fifteenth century, as Mali’s power declined in the Sahel, waves of Fulbe migrants moved southward from Termes, in present-day Mauritania. The account attributes this movement to inadequate pasture for growing cattle-breeding populations and to pressure from Tuareg groups of the Sahara. Migration therefore linked environmental constraints with wider political change.
One wave reached Massina, where the Fulbe became reluctant subjects of successive imperial authorities. Other groups, identified as Lam Termes and Lam Taga, reached Futa Toro and overthrew the Tondyon dynasty, which was probably a Mali vassal. Futa Toro then fragmented into small units lacking political cohesion, creating conditions for further struggles among regional powers.
Another migration wave crossed the Upper Senegal and Gambia rivers toward Rio Grande in the middle of the fifteenth century. After defeat by the local population, survivors reorganized on the Futa Djallon highlands, which they considered suitable for cattle. In the 1460s, Tengella emerged as leader of the Fulbe of Futa Djallon and brought Tenda, Djallonke, Landoumas, and Malinke groups under his leadership.
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