There is quite literally a geographical crescent encompassing the Manding to Oman. Islam and trade tie the entire region together. Remember Mansa Musa traveled all the way from Timbuktu to Mecca for his haj with an entourage of thousands in the 14th century. I think it is absolutely logical to see a geographical and cultural precedent for a connection between the blades of these cultures. I believe the influence, in this case, would have flowed primarily from east to west.
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