Takrur

Takrur was a state in Sahara and Sahel (North and West Africa) that lasted from c. 800 to 1285 CE, about 485 years. Its people spoke Niger-Congo languages (Mande, Yoruba, Akan, Fula, Wolof, Igbo (non-Bantu)).

Kingdom on the Senegal River whose king War Jabi adopted Islam around 1030, one of the first in West Africa. It became a province of Mali.

See Takrur on the interactive timeline

Facts

Dates: c. 800 to 1285 CE
Duration: 485 years
Type: State
Region: Sahara and Sahel, North and West Africa
Language family: Niger-Congo
Capital: Takrur

Events in North and West Africa during its time

969 Fatimids found Cairo
1050 Banu Hilal migration
1235 Battle of Kirina

Neighbours in North and West Africa

Ghana Empire (Wagadu) c. 300 to 1200 CE
Kingdom of Aksum c. 100 to 940 CE
Ethiopian Empire (Solomonic dynasty) 1270 to 1974 CE
Mali Empire c. 1235 to 1670 CE
Mamluk Sultanate 1250 to 1517 CE
Fatimid Caliphate 909 to 1171 CE
Almoravid dynasty 1040 to 1147 CE
Makuria c. 450 to 1312 CE
Kingdom of Benin c. 1180 to 1897 CE
Kanem Empire c. 700 to 1387 CE

Elsewhere in the world at the same time

Republic of Venice c. 697 to 1797 CE, Europe
Byzantine Empire 395 to 1453 CE, Europe
Byzantine Empire 395 to 1453 CE, Middle East
Swahili city-states c. 800 to 1700 CE, Central and Southern Africa
Holy Roman Empire 962 to 1806 CE, Europe
Srivijaya c. 650 to 1377 CE, Southeast Asia
Moche (Mochica) c. 100 to 800 CE, South America
Khmer Empire 802 to 1431 CE, Southeast Asia
Tiwanaku c. 400 to 1000 CE, South America
Abbasid Caliphate 750 to 1258 CE, Middle East

Questions

When did Takrur exist?

c. 800 to 1285 CE, about 485 years. These dates are approximate, because the evidence for its beginning or end is uncertain.

Where was Takrur?

Sahara and Sahel, in North and West Africa. Its capital was Takrur.

What language did Takrur speak?

Niger-Congo. This family includes Mande, Yoruba, Akan, Fula, Wolof, Igbo (non-Bantu).