Gao (mansa)
Encyclopedia
Gao was Mansa
of the Mali Empire
from 1300 to 1305.
Mansa Gao was one of two sons of Kolonkan. Kolonkan was a sister of the legendary founder Sundiata Keita
. The mansa assumed the throne following the murder of the usurper Sakura
on his return from the hajj
. He ruled until 1305, when he was succeed by his son Mohammed ibn Gao
.
Mansa
Mansa is a Mandinka word meaning "king of kings". It is particularly associated with the Keita Dynasty of the Mali Empire, which dominated West Africa from the thirteenth to the fifthteenth century...
of the Mali Empire
Mali Empire
The Mali Empire or Mandingo Empire or Manden Kurufa was a West African empire of the Mandinka from c. 1230 to c. 1600. The empire was founded by Sundiata Keita and became renowned for the wealth of its rulers, especially Mansa Musa I...
from 1300 to 1305.
Mansa Gao was one of two sons of Kolonkan. Kolonkan was a sister of the legendary founder Sundiata Keita
Sundiata Keita
Sundiata Keita, Sundjata Keyita, Mari Djata I or just Sundiata was the founder of the Mali Empire and celebrated as a hero of the Malinke people of West Africa in the semi-historical Epic of Sundiata....
. The mansa assumed the throne following the murder of the usurper Sakura
Sakura (mansa)
Mansa Sakura or Mansa Sakoura was the sixth mansa of the Mali Empire. A slave at birth, Sakura was freed and became a general in the army of Sundiata Keita, legendary founder of the Mali Empire. After a debilitating struggle for succession between Sundiata's sons Ouati Keita and Khalifa Keita and...
on his return from the hajj
Hajj
The Hajj is the pilgrimage to Mecca, Saudi Arabia. It is one of the largest pilgrimages in the world, and is the fifth pillar of Islam, a religious duty that must be carried out at least once in their lifetime by every able-bodied Muslim who can afford to do so...
. He ruled until 1305, when he was succeed by his son Mohammed ibn Gao
Mohammed ibn Gao
Mansa Mohammed ibn Gao was mansa of the Mali Empire from 1305 to 1310.Mansa Mohammed ibn Gao, as his name suggests, was the son of his predecessor, Mansa Gao. He inherited the throne following his father's death in 1305 and ruled until being succeeded by his uncle, Abubakari II in 1310.-See...
.
See also
- Mali EmpireMali EmpireThe Mali Empire or Mandingo Empire or Manden Kurufa was a West African empire of the Mandinka from c. 1230 to c. 1600. The empire was founded by Sundiata Keita and became renowned for the wealth of its rulers, especially Mansa Musa I...
- Keita DynastyKeita DynastyThe Keita Dynasty ruled pre-Imperial and Imperial Mali from the 12th century into the early 17th century. It was a Muslim Dynasty, and its rulers claimed descent from Bilal. Bilal was a freed slave who accepted Islam and became one of the Sahabas of the Prophet Muhammad. Bilal bears the...