Charter of kurukan - Songhai Empire Human Rights Charter

[Cyril Anyanwu]

The Charter of Kurukan Fuga (or Manden Charter) is 

a 13th-century oral constitution proclaimed around 1235–1236 by Sundiata Keita and his assembly of wise men following the Battle of Krina.

 It established social, political, and human rights guidelines for the newly formed Mali Empire, focusing on peace, social structure, and individual rights. 

Key Aspects of the Charter:

• Significance: Considered one of the oldest constitutions in the world, it was inscribed in 2009 on the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
• Structure: It consists of a preamble and 44 edicts grouped into seven chapters, often transmitted by djelis (historians/griots).
• Rights & Social Order: The charter addressed social peace, abolition of slave raiding, women's rights (association in government), freedom of speech, and trade.
• Core Principles: It focused on the inviolability of the human being, the importance of education, and the integrity of the motherland. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]

Key Provisions:

• Slavery: Abolished slave raids and commanded that you "do not ill-treat the slaves".
• Women's Rights: Stated that "women, apart from their everyday occupations, should be associated with all our managements".
• Justice: Emphasized that "every person has the right to life" and that you should not humiliate an enemy.
• Environmental Protection: Required checking for fruit before burning the bush (Article 38).
• Social Structure: Divided the empire into 29 clan groups (Gbara) responsible for different aspects of government. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]

The Charter remains a cornerstone of Mande social cohesion and is still considered a "living tradition" in parts of Mali and Guinea. [1, 2, 3, 4]

Manden Charter, proclaimed in Kurukan Fuga

Periodic reporting. The report on the implementation of the Convention, due by States Parties every 6 years, includes a section on the elements inscribed on the...

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INDIGENOUS CONSTITUTION OF ANCIENT MALI The Manden Charter ...

The Kouroukan Fouga divided the new empire into ruling clans (lineages) that were represented at a great assembly called the Gbara. There were 16 clans known as...

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Article 15: Never beat a married woman before her husband has tried to correct the problem. Article 16: Women, apart from their everyday occupations, should be ...

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ICH-02-2009-EN-ver-03 - UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage

The proclamation, in the form of an oath, comprises a preamble and seven chapters concerning the rules of behaviour governing public and family life, and under ...

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The oldest constitution in the world

Mar 10, 2022 — So now everyone answers for his person, he is free in his acts, in compliance with the laws of his country." Here are some articles taken from the forty-four th...

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La Charte de Kurukan Fuga - Remix Biens Communs

According to the Epic of Sundiata, Kouroukan Fouga or Kurukan Fuga was the constitution of the Mali Empire created after the Battle of Krina (1235) by an assemb...

1987-1465 E-mail : revuekuruk...@gmail.com Website

Exploring the Mandé Charter ... on the meeting Sundiata Keita, King of Mandé, had with the kingdom's notabilities in 1236. They set a charter, Kurukan Fuga, aim...

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It is a great example of the way in which some ICH elements are a cultural expression that allows inclusive participation, peaceful coexistence and the preventi...

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The Mande Charter (Kouroukan Fouga) Of 1235

Jun 2, 2014 — Article 34: The fourth heifer born is the property of the guardian of the heifer. One egg out of four is the property of the guardian of the laying hen. Article...

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‘Respect Your Word of Honor’

May 2, 2019 — In 1998, historians in Guinea began reconstructing the charter in order to publish and preserve it. Scholars transcribed and translated the laws and rules prese...

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2m

How Ancient Mali Shaped Modern Laws : The Mandé Charter Explained

“The Manden Charter” In 1235 CE, Sundiata Keita enacted the Kurukan Fuga, also referred to as Manden Charter, making it one of the oldest constitutions in the world. The constitution brought the clans together under one government, established rules for governance and laws. The new empire was divided among ruling clans who were represented at the Gbara – an assembly. The charter contains 44 edicts divided into four sections – social organization, property rights, environmental protection, personal responsibility. The edict ensured that women had places in all levels of government. "Article 16: Women, apart from their everyday occupations, should be associated with all our managements." Although the empire of Mali no longer exists, the charter and its traditions continue. Annual commemorative ceremonies of the Gbara are organized in the village of Kangaba in Mali supported by local and national authorities. #blackgirlslovehistory #blackhistory365 #mansamusa #blacklivesmatter #mandencharter #sundiatakeita

Aug 29, 2021 — Although the empire of Mali no longer exists, the charter and its traditions continue. Annual commemorative ceremonies of the Gbara are organized in the village...

https://www.google.com/search?q=charter+of+kurukan&oq=chartwr&gs_lcrp=EgZjaHJvbWUqCQgBECMYJxixAjIGCAAQRRg5MgkIARAjGCcYsQIyCQgCEC4YChiABDIPCAMQLhgKGMcBGNEDGIAEMg4IBBAAGAoYCxiSAxiABDIPCAUQLhgKGMcBGNEDGIAEMgkIBhAAGAoYgAQyDggHEAAYChgLGLEDGIAEMg4ICBAAGAoYCxjJAxiABDIPCAkQLhgKGMcBGNEDGIAEMg4IChAAGAoYCxixAxiABDIJCAsQABgKGIAEMgkIDBAAGAoYgAQyCQgNEAAYChiABDIJCA4QABgKGIAE0gEINjQxOWowajeoAhSwAgHxBYS6iZl8AsP7&client=ms-android-tmus-us-rvc3&sourceid=chrome-mobile&ie=UTF-8

[femi Olajide]

CA,

Oral constitution? I beg, pull another leg!

That is just cultural or traditional believes.

Yes, Slave raids are abolished, yet "treat your slaves right". What doublespeak? What the heck?

The problem with some of you is that because of the need to show that ancestrally Africa had a morsel of organisation, you never want to interrogate any false claim.

Yes, Yoruba and all other great African people had oral constitution that dates back to forever......disprove it. And don't tell me that it's all because they are not recognized by UNESCO or any other entity.

What are guys doing today for African nations to have truly African constitution that reflect our ancestral belief, tradition and culture which be based on the fundamentals of today such as equal rights, justice, equity, fairness, communal cohesiveness etc?

I beg go siddon jo!

Regards,

Femi Olajide

On Monday, 11 May 2026 at 21:55:54 GMT+1, Cyril Anyanwu <lash...@hotmail.com> wrote:

The Charter of Kurukan Fuga (or Manden Charter) is 

a 13th-century oral constitution proclaimed around 1235–1236 by Sundiata Keita and his assembly of wise men following the Battle of Krina.

 It established social, political, and human rights guidelines for the newly formed Mali Empire, focusing on peace, social structure, and individual rights. 

Key Aspects of the Charter:

• Significance: Considered one of the oldest constitutions in the world, it was inscribed in 2009 on the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

• Structure: It consists of a preamble and 44 edicts grouped into seven chapters, often transmitted bydjelis (historians/griots).

• Rights & Social Order: The charter addressed social peace, abolition of slave raiding, women's rights (association in government), freedom of speech, and trade.

• Core Principles: It focused on the inviolability of the human being, the importance of education, and the integrity of the motherland. [1,2,3, 4, 5]

Key Provisions:

• Slavery: Abolished slave raids and commanded that you "do not ill-treat the slaves".
• Women's Rights: Stated that "women, apart from their everyday occupations, should be associated with all our managements".
• Justice: Emphasized that "every person has the right to life" and that you should not humiliate an enemy.
• Environmental Protection: Required checking for fruit before burning the bush (Article 38).

• Social Structure: Divided the empire into 29 clan groups (Gbara) responsible for different aspects of government. [1,2, 3, 4, 5]

The Charter remains a cornerstone of Mande social cohesion and is still considered a "living tradition" in parts of Mali and Guinea. [1,2, 3, 4]

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