Gbara
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The Gbara or Great Assembly was the deliberative body of the Mali Empire, which ruled much of West Africa during the Middle Ages. It was first formed in 1235 on the orders of Sundiata in the Mandinka oral constitution known as the Kouroukan Fouga.
[edit] Function
The Gbara was made up of 32 members from around 29 mostly Mandinka clans.[1] Members of these clans had aided Sundiata in his overthrow of Soumaoro Kante and were given a voice in the government of the new Manden Federation or Manden Kurufa. The descendents of these clans occupied post in the Gbara and checked the emperor's (mansa's) power. It was presided over by a belen-tigui (master of ceremonies) whom recognized anyone who wanted the speak including the mansa.
[edit] Clans
The Gbara was divided into four voting blocs divided among military, political, religious and economic lines. The Djon-Tan-Nor-Woro (sometimes cited as the Ton-Ta-Jon), meaning carriers of quiver, were the military wing of the Gbara responsible for leading the army and sometimes governing provinces (tinkurus) or counties (kafos). The purely political bloc of the Gbara was the clans of Maghan (literally "Princely Clans"). This group included the imperial clans and related clans that could also ascend to the throne. The constitution of the empire also included religious clans serving as marabouts or Islamic guides to the nobility. This group also functioned as diviners able to interpret omens and other happenings. Lastly there were the clans of Nyamakala ("wielders of Nyama"). Nyama was an occult power believed necessary to perform certain economic functions especially smithing or serving as a chronicler (djeli).
The 16 Djon-Tan-Nor-Woro (Carriers of Quiver) clans responsible for defense
- Dansouba
- Diaby
- Diakité
- Diallo (Jallow)
- Diawara (Jawara)
- Fofana
- Kamara
- Kamissoko
- Koita
- Kondé (the clan of the Sankar-Zouma)
- Koroma
- Magassouba
- Sako
- Sangaré
- Sidibé
- Traoré (Trawally)
The 4 Maghan (Princely) clans responsible for leadership
- Danhou/Douno/Somono/Soumano (the clan of the Dyi-Tigi or "master of waters" responsible for river travel and fishing)
- Keita (the clan of the mansas)
- Konaté
- Koulibaly
The 5 Mori-Kanda-Lolou (Guardians of the Faith) clans responsible for Islamic advice
- Bérété
- Cissé (Ceesay)
- Diané (Janneh)
- Koma
- Sylla (Sillah)
The 7 Nyamakala (Wielders of Nyama “occult powers”) clans responsible for products
- Diabate (Djelis; chroniclers)
- Kanté (Noumoun Fin; these men work iron and their wives make pottery)
- Kamara (Noumoun Siaki; these men work precious metals into jewels)
- Kamara (Finè; dispute mediators)
- Koroma (Noumoun Kule; these men work wood to make art)
- Kouyate (Djeli of the Mansa and Belen-Tigui at Gbara)
- Sylla (Garanke; leatherworkers & weavers making shoes, harnesses and cushions)
