Takedda

 ( Lost Cities And Towns ) 

Takedda was a town and former kingdom located in present-day Niger. The archaeological site at Azelik wan Birni is believed to be the ruins of ancient Takedda.

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History Takedda was founded by the Sanhaja, a Berbers tribe confederation inhabiting the Maghreb. In the 14th century (possibly also earlier and later) the Tuareg people-controlled kingdom of Takedda, west of the Aïr Massif, played a prominent role in long-distance trade, notably owing to the importance of its copper mines. Takedda was visited by Ibn Battuta on his return trip from the Mali Empire in 1353.

Evidence of copperworking have been found at the site dating to the first millennium BC. The French archeologist, Danilo Grébénart, has excavated the site and has studied the significance of this prehistoric non-ferrous metal industry.

The reign of Mansa Sakoura (also spelt Sakura) appears to have been beneficial despite the political shake-up. He added the first conquests to Mali since the reign of Ouali including the former Wagadou provinces of Tekrour and Diara. His conquests did not stop at the boundaries of Wagadou however. He campaigned into Senegal and conquered the Wolof Empire province of Dyolof then took the army east to subjugate the copper producing area of Takedda.

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Notes

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Sources

• . First published in 1986, .
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• . Pages 279-304 contain Ibn Battuta's account of his visit to West Africa.

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Further reading

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