Mansa Musa's Lost Fleet: The Mali Navy That Ruled the Niger

When you think of Mansa Musa, you think of gold, camels, and caravans crossing the Sahara. But the Mali Empire's true superpower was its navy. On the Niger River, a fleet of hundreds of war canoes — some over 80 feet long — controlled trade, projected power, and transported armies. This episode dives into the forgotten naval tradition of the Mande people. We explore the Bozo and Sorko boat-builders, the strategic use of the river as a highway, the legendary naval battle against the Songhai, and how control of the Niger allowed Mansa Musa to project influence from the inland delta to the Atlantic. Lucas and Luna examine archaeological evidence from Jenne-Jeno, the role of the farba (provincial governors) in managing river trade, and the lasting impact of Mali's maritime power on West African history. Discover how wood and water, not just desert caravans, built the richest empire of its time. #MaliEmpire #NigerRiver #Bozo #Sorko #MansaMusa #WestAfricanHistory #NavalHistory #JenneJeno #Farba #SonghaiEmpire #Mande #RiverTrade #AfricanEmpires #Canoe #InlandDelta #MaritimeHistory #FexingoHistory #History #WestAfrica #GoldTrade Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo