The Sword of Kanta, a Nimcha and Some Clues as to the Origins of Both

[Changdao]

Originally Posted by Jim McDougall

Interesting note Changdao on the Kanta 'name'. It is of course a common occurrence with these complex compound names in these cultures, where titles may be mistaken for a personal name. I'd like to know more on this as Im not familiar with regal titles in this context, it reminds me of the Pasha term in Ottoman parlance , which is of course of lesser station.

Snippets from sources of the era. The first is from the Tarikh al-Sudan, an historical chronicle written by a member of the Timbuktu elite.

At the end of the year 919lFeb. 1514 the askiya campaigned against Katsina, returning in Rabi I 920/26 April-25 May 1514. Towards the end of 921 he campaigned against al-'Adala, the sultan of Agades, returning in 922. On his way back Kuta, who bore the title Kanta, ruler of Leka, broke with him for the following reason. [...] The Kanta refused to give in, and cast off his allegiance to the amir Askiya al-hfijj Muhammad, a situation which endured down to the demise of the dynasty of the Songhay folk. The Kanta thus gained his independence.


The second is a letter sent by Mulay Ahmad al-Mansur in the 1590's to the ruler of Kebbi protesting his continued support for Songhay after the battle of Tondibi

To the ruler of the Kebbi kingdom within the borders of our Sudanese dominions, Dawud Kantah-may God inspire you with right guidance and lead you by the forelock to that which you will find praiseworthy today, tomorrow and yesterday. Peace be upon you and the mercy of God and His blessings.

Kebbi would under Kanta Kuta repulse Songhay efforts to reestablish their authority, and then under Kanta Kotal would become the hegemonic power in the Hausalands and a mighty kingdom of its own, rebuffing Songhay and Bornu forays. Its status dimished by the late 1500's, and it became friendly with Songhay, thus helping them after Tondibi.