The Gbara (pronounced [ɡ͡baɽa]) or Great Assembly in Old Malinke (now spelled and pronounced as Bara or Gara in those Manding languages without /gb/) 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.
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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 the new Manden Federation or Manden Kurufa. The descendants 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) 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 (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 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 (jeli / djeli).
The 16 Djon-Tan-Nor-Woro ('Carriers of Quiver') clans responsible for defense, and the descendants of Sundiata Keita's generals and best soldiers:
The 4 Maghan (Princely) clans responsible for leadership:
The 5 Mori-Kanda-Lolou ('Guardians of the Faith') clans responsible for Islamic teaching and advice:
The 7 Nyamakala ('Wielders of Nyama, the power or life/creative force) clans responsible for products: