There were a number of minor powers located in West Africa. Some of these provided easy prey for the expanding empires . Others proved to be a thorn in their sides, continually raiding the territory of various kingdoms. All of these can be used in a campaign of the region.

BAMANA

A minor tribe attacked frequently by the larger powers. The cities of Segou and Kaaria were the center of the country. They did grow into a small empire of local importance during the 1700s.

BULALA

The Bulala were Sayfawa tribes centered around Lake Fitri. As a Sayfawa people, they were related to the founders of Kanem with some historians indicating that Bulala founders may been exiled dissidents from Kanem. They were the most frequent enemy of the Kanem empire. They also raided the lands of the various Hansau city states. Their victories were so numerous between 1376 and 1400 that five out of six rulers of Kanem were killed in battle. As a result the Kanem people abandoned their original settlements and resettled on the southwestern shore of Lake Chad. The war between the Bulala and the Kanem continued even after the Kanem migration.

During the 1300s, some Bulala armies contained Bedouin (Teda or Taureg) allies. The Bulala war with Kanem-Bornu finally ended around 1600. There was not a crushing victory for either side but rather a cessation of hostilities for the benefit of both sides. As Bornu influence lessened in the late 1600s, Bulala control replaced the Bornu in the areas north and east of Lake Chad.

Drawings of Bulala warriors show them carrying swords, spears and convex oval shields. They are deployed in a mixed mass formation. Narratives comment on the use of a limited number of horses and bows. Also as mentioned earlier, they did ally with Bedouins and other tribes.

DOGON

These tribes were small in number with their principal towns located in the rough mountainous area. They were related to the Malinke, so initially may have been exiled dissidents. They raided and paid some tribute to both the Songhai and Mali empires. They were defeated or willingly joined other tribes in their region to form the Mossi confederation. They were considered excellent fighters in rough terrain. They resisted several military attempts to convert them from their traditional religion to Islam.

FULANI

They were also known as the Peul. During the Ghana era their tribes were concentrated along the Atlantic coast in the Senegal valley and south of it. Being the target of many Ghana then Mali raids caused several tribes to slowly migrate east. By the 1500s, many tribes were located among the Hausa between the Niger River and Lake Chad. It is also at this time that they began to cooperate and grow into an empire. It would not be until the late 1700s that the Fulani began to have significant influence and control outside Hausaland.

While in the 1600s many warriors were armed with firearms, a significant number continued to be equipped in traditional fashion. Several museums in Africa have collections of Fulani arms and armor. One example of cotton horse armor shows a patch work quilt of squares of blue and white stripped squares sewn together which produced and appearance of an alternating stripe pattern.

HAUSA CITY STATES

The Hausa tribees established seven cities in the area between the Niger River and Lake Chad. They dominated that land to such an extent that it was called Hausaland. The principal cities were Kano, Zaria aka Zazzua), Gobir, Kebbi, Daura, Katsina and Nano. Their lack of unity classifies them as a minor power. Most of their wars were conducted against their sister ‘city states’. Other campaigns especially between 1000-1100AD were launched against local tribes for the control of their sacred religious sites that resulted in control of the countryside.

After 1300, the Hausa states continued to attack the local tribes but now used the pretense of Islamic Jihad as the reason. Kano recorded several campaigns against the Santolo tribes. Gobir , located in the northern area, conducted several actions against Bedouin raiders. Zaria, one of the southern cities, conducted numerous raids into the river delta with the express purpose of obtaining slaves as a trade item for guns or horses. Alliances with the other cities were conducted as a mutual support policy when the area was threatened with attacks by serious outside foes. These alliances were only temporary and were abandoned as soon as the threat dissolved.

Eventually, the Hausa cities were absorbed into the Fulani empire circa 1700, though they continued their important function as trading centers. Limited wars were conducted with the Kanuri after they migrated from Kaneum to Bornu. The Hausa armies were small but well equipped. The warrior Queen Amina of Zazzua (Kano ?) was noted for obtaining chainmail and iron helmets for her troops.

MOSSI

The Mossi tribes of the Volta River basin formed a close confederation of related tribes. The confederation may have been formed by Songhai invaders (or exiles). The invaders became the upper class while the conquered local tribes became the bulk of the common population. The united tribes included the Gurunsi (aka Nunuma) consisting of the Lela, Nuna plus the Dogon and Kurumba. Prior to unification conflicts are recorded between the various tribes of the group. They maintained a predominantly traditional religious practices and resisted the Islamic. They acted as a strong blocking obstacle for any expansion toward the southern Atlantic coast and the mouth of the Volta River. They continued to resist Islamic Jihads and fought the Fulani during the 1700s and 1800s. As with other nations of the region, their primary colors seem to have been red and white with black being also used.

SUSU or SOSO

They were one of the subject kingdoms of the Ghana empire. The target of some raids but they also provided subject troops for the Ghana army. They were strong enough to establish a successor kingdom after the Almoravid defeated the Ghana army in 1067. During the 1100s, the Susu fought the Soloinke, Malinke, Fulani and other tribes for control of the territory of the old Ghana empire. The Susu became involved in a Civil War between clans which allowed the Malinke tribes to become stronger. The Susu were defeated by the Malinke at the battle of Kirma in 1230. Afterwards they were a subject state of the Mali empire.

TAKRUR or TEKRUR

Several tribes located in the Senegal valley. Independent for centuries, a loose confederation of villages was established circa 1100 AD. Many regard this as a succssor state to the Ghana empire. They fought with neighboring tribes including the Wolof, Fulani and Susu. They also fought Berber raiders, as well as, the Ghana, Mali and Songhai empires.

TAUREG

A number of Caucasian tribes located in the Sahara Desert. They fought and were allied with various Berber and Bedouin tribes. In the Sahel, they established on their southern frontier the trading city of Timbuktu in 1100 AD. They would spend the next centuries attacking and defending the city. Timbuktu became the focal point of campaigns in the northern Sahel by not only the Tauregs but also the Mali and Songhai empires. Control of the city resulted in the control of much of the trans-Saharan trade. This in turn produced massive amounts of wealth from taxes and bribes.

The Tauregs are noted for their ability to fight mounted on camels but they also fought when needed on horseback and on foot. Most of their foot troops seem to have been provided by the very dark skin Bella. Bella have been regarded as slaves, bonded servants or a distinct lower caste. Originally many may have been prisoners of war captured by the Tauregs in one of the countless battles which they had with the Negroid empires of the Niger River region.

WOLOF

Several tribes located in the Senegal valley and south of the Takrur tribes. A loose confederation of villages was established circa 1300 AD. Enemies included the neighboring tribes including the Takrur, Fulani and Susu. They fought some battles with the Mali and Songhai empires. The Berbers raiding along the coast were another threat.

Medieval Empires of Africa's Sahel

Historical Background
Ghana
Mali
Songhai
Kaneum-Bornu
Minor Powers of the Region