>>17415755
Timbuktu is truly a magical city but the desert around it is littered with plastic bags

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>>17416728
Timbuktu has always been fucking shit
For centuries Europeans believed it was made of gold and stuff because they had been fed Wakanda-tier tale, and ended up incredibily disappointed upon finding out it was a shitty favela of dried mud

>>17416903
you don't know shit it's comfy af

You didn't talk about spooky haunted furniture and Akan ghosts punished your last thread and they will punish this one until you do

>>17415755
The Akan used a system of computing weight consisting of 11 units. It began at dama and ended with bèna. It was possible to multiply bèna by infinity and the values went from single to double or were multiplied by two. There were three series of weights – small, medium, and large. They could be added and multiplied.

The small weights series consisted of ten monetary units and was used for all sorts of small transactions:

ba = unit = 0.148 g
ba (gnon) = ba × 2
ba (nsan) = ba × 3
ba (nan) = ba × 4
ba (nou) = ba × 5
ba (nzien) = ba × 6
ba (nzo) = ba × 7
ba (motchué) = ba × 8
ba (brou) = ba × 10

The medium weights series consisted of 7 units. The computation is done from simple to double, and each unit has multiples and submultiples.

Assan = 4 m.v.
Gbangbandia = 4 m.v.
Tya = 5 m.v.
Anui = 5 m.v.
Gua = 5 m.v.
Anan = 5 m.v.
Tyasue = 5 m.v.
Total = 33 m.v.

These 7 units comprise 33 monetary values. The smallest value is météba which equals 12 ba or 1.77 g.
The largest value is the ta, which equals 348 ba or 51 g of gold.

In practice, the system worked as follows. For example, the gua, the fifth unit, comprised the following five monetary values:

Météba = 12 ba = 1.77 g of gold
Adjratchui = 24 ba = 3.55 g of gold
Tra = 48 ba = 7.54 g of gold
These are all sub-multiples of gua.
Gua = 96 ba = 14.20 g of gold (Unit of this series)
Guagnan = 192 ba = 28.40 g of gold (Multiple of
gua)

The large weight and monetary values series had only 3 units. They were:

Banda = 384 ba = 56.80 g of gold
Banna = 432 ba = 67.44 g of gold
Pereguan = 478 ba = 71.92 g of gold.

(CONT.1)

>>17418404
In considering the weights and numeric representation, we will consider here only those weights with graphic signs which correspond with calculation and mathematics.

Concerning the signs and marks, the anthropologist François H. Abel has written: “A. Amélékia, a well known man named Diénélou confirmed for me that the Ancients knew how to read from the weights... In the village of Lomo-north, in the region of Toumodi, the village chief knew that the signs on the weights had meaning.”

An observer wrote : “Each weight is the product of two signs written on it... Reading it is sometimes simple, but often difficult. This is because some Black Africans had a different concept for numeric figuration and for the representation of the product of two numbers. [Also] zero did not exist...”. In the system, figures and numbers are represented by vertical and horizontal lines, such as marks and arrows similar to those still seen in charcoal in the houses of African villages. Commenting in 1605 on the Akan system of accounting and calculating, the Dutch explorer and historian Pieter de Marées made this remark: “The Negroes have weights of copper and tin which they have cast themselves, and, although they do not divide in the same way we do, it comes out the same, and the accounting is always correct.”

The weights provide knowledge of the weight and monetary value of the quantity of gold powder placed in the plate of the scale. There are three kinds of weights – figurative weights, weights with graphic designs, and geometric weights (Figs. 1, 2 and 3). Gold weights were (usually) made of an original alloy whose composition was similar to that of bronze and brass. However, there are also weights made of silver, copper, and solid gold. The weights were made by the Tounfouê, an artisans’ group, different from blacksmiths and jewelers. These artisans used the lost wax method to produce the weights.

>>17418408
Mission from Cape Coast Castle to Ashantee: With a Statistical Account of that Kingdom, and Geographical Notices of Other Parts of the Interior of Africa
By Thomas Edward Bowdich

>>17415755
From Major Denham's Journal of his residence during the rainy season at Kouka, we have extract an anecdote of an English- man employed by the sheikh.

>" Hillman had been for a long time employed in making a gun-carriage for a four-pounder, which the sultan of Fezzan had formerly brought as a present to the sheikh : the scarcity of iron, the awkwardness of the ..... blacksmiths, and clumsiness of their work when finished, were so distressing to the correct eye of an English shipwright, that even after the carriage was completed — and considering the means he had, it was very well done — Hillman was far from being satisfied with his work : not so, however, the sheikh. We took it to him this afternoon, and he was greatly pleased and surprised at the facility with which its elevation could be increased or decreased : both this and the wheels were subjects of great wonder. During the work, on several occasions, the sheikh had sent Hillman presents of honey, milk, rice, wheat, and sweet cakes, all of which he had shared with his companions. On one occasion, after he had finished a large chair, which pleased the sheikh excessively, he sent him a bag of gubbuk (money of the country ) this, after inquiring what it was, he returned with the true and honest pride of an English seaman, saying, ' No ! the king of England pays me — I don't want that ; but I am much obliged to the sheikh, nevertheless.'"

>>17416903
>Timbuktu has always been fucking shit
Looks pretty opulent to me.

>>17418404
Are you seriously giving them a cookie for knowing basic algebra?
"They knew how to multiply!"
"They had a currency!"
The standards for Africans are so low.

>>17415755
There was nothing there except mud huts until Europeans showed up.

>>17418583
>enter thread about African history and culture
>act bewildered when someone posts about African history and culture
Dude were not here to assign cookies were here to talk about west Africa
Do you get this assmad over ducats or florins

Mossi tactics:

"In bigger raids or expeditions, the Mossi continued to place their faith in cavalry. Should the expedition take as much as a week or ten days, soldiers would bring their own provisions, usually beans and water, and would supplement this by living off the land. Surprise was not a factor when a large force marched. When the enemy was sighted, the army moved into battle formation. The infantry formed a single skirmishing line and made first contact. The Mossi did not employ their cavalry as shock troops; horses and nobles were not so easily expendable as that. Next, the cavalry charged, organized in three units: right, centre and left. Provincial commanders remained in the rear to supervise the action. If the initial infantry attack was unsuccessful, the cavalry reserved the right to beat a hasty retreat, helping the infantry if possible, or applying the rule of sauve qui peut if necessary."

Echenberg, M. J. (1971). Late Nineteenth-Century Military Technology in Upper Volta. The Journal of African History, 12(2), 241–254

"Scouts preceded each district contingent as the army marched off to battle. Within the contingent, the younger warriors marched in front, followed by older men. It was the duty of the more experienced warriors to make sure that the younger men did not break ranks and run under the stress of battle. Behind the foot soldiers came the cavalry, composed of nobles and of the few commoners who possessed horses. Behind these came the district chief, surrounded by his own palace guard. Several heralds known as yumba (sing, yuma) accompanied the district forces to exhort them to fight. As the men marched to battle the yumba shouted:

>>17418800
Men! Your ancestors were not slaves. They were men. They were stronger than anyone else. They did not bathe with water; they bathed with blood. Do you wish to return home to drink millet water and eat bread? Never! A man does not eat bread or drink millet water; a man fights. Your ancestors were not afraid of anyone; you must not be afraid of anyone. Even if you are killed today, you must march ahead, beat your enemies, and take their villages. You must not be afraid!

Mossi armies on the march used scouts to keep a sharp lookout for the enemy or for any evidence that he was aware of impending attack. The tactics these scouts used to avoid detection, such as camouflaging themselves with leaves and branches and crawling upon the ground, can be witnessed even today at Mossi funerals where men re-enact warfare practices. Whenever possible, the Mossi preferred to take the enemy by surprise, but this was seldom possible when large-scale fighting and massive preparations were involved. When two Mossi armies drew up to each other, the heralds from both sides issued such challenges and epithets as: "If you men do not wish to die,you should run or you will never eat again. We will have your blood towash with." In the meantime, the Tansobadamba on both sides deployed their forces in accordance with the number of men available, the spirit of the enemy, and the nature of the terrain. From the description of warfare given to me by an old Tansoba in Nobere district, it appears that the strategy most commonly used was to split the infantry in two while attacking, thus making room for the cavalry to charge through. If the initial charge was successful, the attack was maintained, but if it failed, the army usually turned about and fled. Despite their braggadocio, Mossi commanders seldom insisted that their troops fight against overwhelming odds. However, shame over impending defeat often induced such officers as theTansoba and the Gounga Naba to fight to the death."

>>17418801
Izard, M. (1966). The Mossi of the Upper Volta. The Political Development of a Sudanese People.

On Mossi panoply in the 19th century

"Mossi warriors cut rather awesome figures. To protect against the arrows of his adversary, the Mossi horseman covered himself with as much clothing as he could manage. He wore four or five tunics on top of each other, the outer garment covered with leather amulets and charms; he covered his head with a turban coiffed with a huge straw hat, and he wrapped several bou-bous around his waist. Similarly, he protected his mount with a large piece of leather under the saddle, that covered the croupe and flanks, and with a large frontal piece of copper for the horse's head"
Echenberg, M. J. (1971). Late Nineteenth-Century Military Technology in Upper Volta. The Journal of African History, 12(2), 241–254

"The village chiefs, in turn, beat their war drums to summon their noble cavalrymen and commoner foot soldiers, who came armed with bows and arrows, spears, swords, and clubs, with or without iron tips. The tips of the sharp weapons were often covered with a vegetable poison derived from a shrub of the Strophanthus species. Some of the men also carried guns after firearms were introduced among the Mossi from the desert region and from the coast. Many carried rawhide shields."

Izard, M. (1966). The Mossi of the Upper Volta. The Political Development of a Sudanese People.

>>17418583
>The standards for Africans are so low.
makes me think about your mom lol

The Fante Confederacy was an alliance of Fante formed in 1868. The Confederation was one of the first and most prominent self-rule movements in Ghana and the entirety of Africa. Its mission was to shake off Colonialism and establish a modern free democratic state. All Fante substates including the Abura, Goamoa, Oguaa, Edina, Ekumfi, Asebu, Edith and many others joined this Union.

"The ‘Fante’ Constitution established three bodies of state – the federal legislative assembly (Parliament), executive council (Cabinet) and judiciary. The legislative assembly was made up of two representatives from each member-state, namely a king and one educated elite. There was a National Assembly which was composed of the central government of the kings and principal chiefs of the confederate states. From among the kings, one was elected King who presided over the assembly and the administration of the central government of the confederation. He also presided over the federal court which served as the ‘National Supreme Court’, the final arbiter in the settlement of cases. It also set up a ‘Federal Army."

"We, the kings and chiefs and others assembled at Man-kessim, beg most respectfully to forward you the enclosed copy of a Constitution framed and passed by us after mature deliberation. We have united together for the express purpose of furthering the interests of our country.

>>17419156
In the Constitution it will be observed that we contemplate means for the social improvement of our subjects and people, the growth of education and industrial pursuits, and, in short, every good which British philanthropy may have designed for the good of the Gold Coast, but which we think it impossible for it at present to do for the country at large.

Our sole object is to improve the condition of our peoples, not to interfere with, but to aid our benefactors on the sea coast, and we count upon your Excellency giving us at times that assistance which may be necessary to carry out our humble efforts.

We beg to forward a copy of the Constitution … for the information of the Right Honourable the Secretary of State for the Colonies. (Signed)

Quassie Edoo (his X mark)

Anfoo Otoo (his X mark)

King President

Kow Yanfoo (his X mark)

King of Ayan.

Thomas Solomon (his X mark)

Chief of Dominassie.

W. E. Davidson, Vice-President.

J. F. Amissah, Secretary."

Here is a link to a Ghanaian site that supposedly gives accurate information on the constitution of the Fante Confederacy, though it is lacking in sources so I'm skeptical of its claims.

https://www.modernghana.com/news/123177/constitution-of-the-new-fante-confederacy.html

>>17419159
Its from a paper done by :-
PEOPLE’S DEMOCRATIC AND REPUBLIC OF ALGERIA MINISTRY OF HIGHER EDUCATION AND SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH

UNIVERSITY OF ORAN INSTITUTE OF FOREIGN LANGUAGES

FACULTY OF LETTERS LANGUAGES AND ARTS
DEPARTMENT OF ANGLO-SAXON LANGUAGES SECTION OF ENGLISH

In 2011/2012 and it examines changes in the political, military and economic structure of the Ashanti empire from Osei Tutu I to Osei Bonsu.

Here's the link to download the full paper if you want a thorough breakdown : -

Université d'Oran 1 Ahmed Ben Bella › ...pdf the ashanti's political, military, judicial, and economic organization evolution and change (1750-1824)

Asante government in the 19th century, Ivor Wilks; Asante in the Nineteenth Century: The Structure and Evolution of a Political Order