Warfare In West Africa Research Paper

Warfare in West Africa would be much different than other empires but still provide influential impacts. The area of West Africa is filled with rivers and streams that allowed empires the ability to surprise their enemy, as well as, use the waterway systems as an extremely mobile way of travel. Since the climate was so diverse with the conditions on the coast being wet and the conditions further inland being drier and forestry, lead to wars breaking over the completion of seasonal harvest. In western Africa the ethnic group known as the Mandinka were responsible for the founding the Mali Empire. The 13th century Mandinka army was spilt into 16 clans each lead by a noble known as a ton-tigi (Quiver Master). Each ton-tigi lead a group of horsemen,

Though influenced by Egyptian splitting of forces, Mandinka created a new tactic of war not yet used. Their formations had cavalry in the center and infantry on the flanks instead of vice versa. When at its peak the army was estimated to be as much as 80,000-100,000 fighters, with at least 10,000 of them being horseman. The use of horses would not only be an impact on warfare for West Africa but impact on society as a whole. Warfare would also be impacted by the importance of trade, “the immense benefits associated with trade led to competition and warfare among the Sundanese Kingdom” In addition, the city-state of Benin impacted the structures of strongholds, to which its walls are described to be the world’s second longest man-made structure, and the series of earthen ramparts as the most extensive earthwork in the

Taharqa, Pharaoh and king, was said to be the first series of Nubian kings who ruled throughout Egypt for nearly a 100 years. He led one of the strongest armies of all time and his success in warfare led to a time of peace and flourishment within the region. Hannibal Barca is said to be one of the greatest military strategist of all time, whose battles helped build African history. Hannibal and his troops fought in the Second Punic War and crossed the Alps with a large force. While Hannibal lost many men in the Alps, he went on with 26,000 troops to lead a successful campaign, winning several battles, including the Battle of Cannae, where he lost 6,000 troops to Rome’s 70,000. Lastly Shaka Zulu’s armies redefined military tradition, using new strategies, tactics, and formations. Shaka Zulu was believed to be the first military leader to use the bull horn formation. Shaka Zulu also implanted discipline in his army that made them legendary throughout the region and continent. These changes and advancements as an army led to a better economy for the Zulu Nation, and had a lasting effect on South African