From 12th century
Walata, Tlemcen, Western Sudan
The Maqqarī family was a Maghribi merchant family active in Walata during the thirteenth century and later connected with Tlemcen and Mali. The brothers ʿAbd al-Wāḥid and ʿAlī built stone houses, married locally, possessed slaves, and accumulated substantial wealth. After Mali conquered Walata, they defended their property and secured recognition from the king of Mali as leading traders.
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The Story
The Maqqarī family illustrates the settlement of North African merchants in the commercial towns of the Western Sudan. In Walata, the brothers ʿAbd al-Wāḥid and ʿAlī established themselves as resident traders rather than merely passing through. Their stone houses, marriages to local women, and possession of slaves reveal a durable social and economic presence in the town.
Their prosperity was disrupted when Walata was conquered by Mali. The brothers suffered major losses and hired warriors to defend their property, but one of them later sought an audience with the king of Mali. The king received him favourably and confirmed the brothers’ position as leading traders within his country.
The family’s commercial connections reached Tlemcen, where the king of Mali corresponded with the brothers and asked them to purchase goods for him. Their business expanded, although the next generation dissipated the wealth accumulated by their fathers. The passage follows the family into a history of commercial success, political protection, and eventual decline.
From 12th century
Walata, Tlemcen, Western Sudan
The Maqqarī family was a Maghribi merchant family active in Walata during the thirteenth century and later connected with Tlemcen and Mali. The brothers ʿAbd al-Wāḥid and ʿAlī built stone houses, married locally, possessed slaves, and accumulated substantial wealth. After Mali conquered Walata, they defended their property and secured recognition from the king of Mali as leading traders.
Continue exploring
The Story
The Maqqarī family illustrates the settlement of North African merchants in the commercial towns of the Western Sudan. In Walata, the brothers ʿAbd al-Wāḥid and ʿAlī established themselves as resident traders rather than merely passing through. Their stone houses, marriages to local women, and possession of slaves reveal a durable social and economic presence in the town.
Their prosperity was disrupted when Walata was conquered by Mali. The brothers suffered major losses and hired warriors to defend their property, but one of them later sought an audience with the king of Mali. The king received him favourably and confirmed the brothers’ position as leading traders within his country.
The family’s commercial connections reached Tlemcen, where the king of Mali corresponded with the brothers and asked them to purchase goods for him. Their business expanded, although the next generation dissipated the wealth accumulated by their fathers. The passage follows the family into a history of commercial success, political protection, and eventual decline.
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