Gbara


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 constitution known as the Kouroukan Fouga.

Function

The Gbara was made up of 32 members from around 29 mostly Mandinka clans. Members of these clans had aided Sundiata in his overthrow of Soumaoro Kante and were given a voice in the government of a new Manden federation, the Manden Kurufa. The descendants of these clans occupied posts in the Gbara, and checked the power of the federal emperor, the Mansa. It was presided over by a belen-tigui who recognized anyone who wanted to speak, including the Mansa.

Clans

The Gbara was divided into four voting blocs divided among military, political, religious and economic lines. The Djon-Tan-Nor-Woro, meaning carriers of quivers, were the military wing of the Gbara, responsible for leading the army and sometimes governing provinces or counties. The purely political bloc of the Gbara was the clans of Maghan. 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. This group also functioned as diviners able to interpret omens and other happenings. Lastly, there were the clans of Nyamakala. Nyama is the power or energy that flows within and between everything, and its skilled manipulation is necessary to perform certain functions, especially smithing or serving as a chronicler/bard/griot.
The 16 Djon-Tan-Nor-Woro clans responsible for defense, and the descendants of Sundiata Keita's generals and best soldiers, are:
The 4 Maghan clans, responsible for leadership, are:
The 5 Mori-Kanda-Lolou, clans responsible for traditional African religion teaching and advice, are:
The 7 Nyamakala, clans responsible for products, are: