Article · Wikipedia archive · Last revised Jun 27, 2026

Faama

Faama is a Mandinka word meaning "father," "leader," or "king". It was commonly used within the area of pre-imperial Mali. The title spread into areas conquered by Mali and was later used by the Bamana Empire and the Wassoulou Empire of Samori Toure and non-Mandinka groups in the Kenedougou Empire.

Last revised

Jun 27, 2026

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Faama is a Mandinka word meaning "father," "leader," or "king".¹² It was commonly used within the area of pre-imperial Mali. The title spread into areas conquered by Mali and was later used by the Bamana Empire and the Wassoulou Empire of Samori Toure and non-Mandinka groups in the Kenedougou Empire.

Both faama and mansa are word for king, but faama is a martial ruler and mansa is a mystic ruler.³

See also

See also

References

References

Niane, Djibril Tamsir (1994). Sundiata : an epic of old Mali. Harlow: Pearson Longman. ISBN 9780582264755.
School, Live Lingua-Online Language. "Live Lingua Mandinka". www.livelingua.com.
Chappatte, André (2022-11-01). In Search of Tunga: Prosperity, Almighty God, and Lives in Motion in a Malian Provincial Town. University of Michigan Press. ISBN 978-0-472-22074-8.