Week 1: Welcome to West Africa
Hello and welcome to this weeks Fan Dev Diary, the first in a series where we’ll be looking at the (suggested) changes that will happen in the proposed upcoming West Africa update. Proposed by whom, you say? Well, by me! Obviously. I’m doing it right now.
West Africa is rather underrepresented and underdeveloped in the current game, considering the strength and wealth of its nations in the time period. Huge empires spanned the savannahs and rich trading opportunities attracted European explorers and merchants to defy the often fatal conditions of its tropical shores, where gold, ivory and fine African cloth were on offer. Early European arrivals stood in awe of the splendor of native cities and kingdoms, bowed down to powerful African kings and had to negotiate fiercely and on equal footing with savvy local merchants.
It was only later, as the extraction of raw materials and labour in exchange for manufactured goods increased economic disparities between Europe and Africa, that these relations began to shift. Cowry beads, highly prized by Africans for its use as currency and in rituals, were imported en masse from the Indian Ocean as mere ballast on European vessels, and cheap European and Indian textiles supplanted locally produced African cloth.
As rich mineral deposits were discovered in the Americas the African gold trade was gradually overtaken by slave trade. The extraction of labour, as well as the carrying off of vast amounts of locally grown food that was needed to transport the enslaved across the ocean, left Africa economically stunted.
The increase in wars and raids to meet the growing European appetite for slaves further scarred the region. Finally, powerful jihadi states grew in the interior, with many flocking to its cause as Islam’s tenets protected believers from slavery. Ancient empires fell and entire ethnic groups were uprooted as centuries of tolerance towards traditional practices ended. All of West Africa was destabilized, and left ripe for outside interference and dominion.
In short: EU4’s time period saw many developments in West Africa, and saw it go from being relatively on equal terms with early European contacts to wildly unequal relations.
None of this, not the initial wealth and power of West African states, nor the countless dynamic developments that took place throughout the centuries, is well represented in the current version of the game. This suggested update seeks to remedy that, at least to a small extent.
Now, without further ado, let’s have a look at the regions new map:
A lot of provinces have been added. Areas that were particularly well developed at the game’s timeframe: the banks of the Niger, the coast of the Bight of Benin, Hausaland and Senegambia have gotten special attention.
This has also allowed for many more nations to be added. ‘Empires’ that were closer to confederacies, like the Jolof and Mossi empires now have their constituent states as playable tags. Most of the Hausa city states are also playable now.
Furthermore, some nations have been added in what was previously unsettled land: particularly around the Bight of Benin and its hinterland. These are mostly small, OPM fetishist nations that will have to contend with greater powers such as Nupe, Oyo and Benin to survive, representing the countless native kingdoms that existed in these areas throughout the game’s timeframe. They also offer a way for fetishist players in the region to build up strength before confronting the more powerful muslims states of the Sahel.
Many uncolonized provinces have been added, particularly on the Gold/Slave Coast, which will allow for a better representation of the string of forts that countless European nations build along these shores, establishing small trading posts and slave entrepôts. We’ll be taking a closer look at all of these as we zoom in on the particular region.
Coastal Gateway: Senegambia
As a little appetizer, today we’ll be taking a closer look at the Senegambia region, that region of Sub-saharan Africa that would make first contact with European explorers coming down the coast from Iberia.
The westernmost provinces of the Mali empire lay here, as well as its smaller rival: the powerful empire of Jolof. Settlements are clustered however around the great rivers that give the region its name: the Gambia and Senegal. Other areas are largely devoid of organised states and can be easily settled by newcomers.
Of particular interest to potential colonizers will be the provinces of N’dar (St. Louis), Banjul and Cacheu, as well as Lebu, better known as Cape Vert, which a wealthy nation might be able to charter. Wherever one settles along these shores, however, be mindful to pay proper respect to the powerful Bur, ruler of the Empire of Jolof.
The Empire of Jolof was a confederacy of states; a string of coastal realms dominated by the inland kingdom of Jolof itself. Five kingdoms are traditionally mentioned as vassals to Jolof: Waalu, Cayor, Baol, Sine and Seyoum, four of which are now represented in game. The coastal kingdoms share Serer culture, and are fetishist, whereas their overlord is of the Wolof culture and was Islamic.
It was through their access to horses and thus powerful cavalry, that the rulers of Jolof were able to dominate their neighbours and keep them paying tribute. With the arrival of European traders on the shores of Senegambia however, the Serer states too gained access to horses and became increasingly independent. Horses were in such high demand here that the Portuguese started breeding them on the Cape Verde islands for this reason specifically. Though initially textiles from the region were traded, cheap European cloth increasingly flooded the market, and slaves became the dominant commodity offered in return.
The mission tree for Jolof consists of two seperate branches. One is focused on keeping its coastal vassals in line and integrating them. Securing the coast and moving the capital there, as the historical prince Bemoi did, will lead Jolof to become an Atlantic trade power. The other branch focuses on securing the borders against looming threats; the Mali Empire, the increasing strenght of Kaabu, and the rising power of Fulo. Doing so will lead to eventual expansion into the former heartland of Ghana, and eventually the Mandinge core territories.
*because I am a historian and not a game designer, I’m merely suggesting bonuses based on historical features of the nation and am leaving particular percentages to the professionals.
To the east of Jolof lays the fertile lands of Futa Tooro along the Senegal river. Here and in surrounding regions the Fulani tribes make their home. They look increasingly set to organise into a powerful kingdom of their own, and their realm of Fulo will spawn here not too far from the start date of the game. Fiercely islamic, these herdsman are driven to expansion by a continuous search for new grazing grounds and the fickle climatic conditions of the region. Fulo spawns with cores on the former heartland of the Ghana empire, now part of Mali, around Wagadu and stretching towards Baghana. Conflict with the Mali empire therefor seems inevitable.
To simulate the diffusion of Fulani around the region, and their employ as herdsman throughout the many states of the Sahel, there will be dynamic events that can happen after 1450. Any savannah provinces (and ones that produce livestock or wool in particular) in the region will have a chance of having their culture changed to Fulani. This might seem destabilizing, but could actually prove an asset to a player, as West African sunni nations that have Fulani as an accepted culture can later form one of the powerful Fulani Jihadi states, Macina for nations in the Mande-culture group and Sokoto for Hausa-states.
That is all for now, next week we’ll have a look at Jolof and Fulo’s big, scary neighbor: the regional powerhouse of Mali as well as its rival, the up and coming empire of Songhai.
See you then!
Hello and welcome to this weeks Fan Dev Diary, the first in a series where we’ll be looking at the (suggested) changes that will happen in the proposed upcoming West Africa update. Proposed by whom, you say? Well, by me! Obviously. I’m doing it right now.
I’ll be using the lull in dev diary activity, to churn out some ‘dev’ diaries of my own, and hopefully keep you guys entertained and interested throughout. These are not necessarily concrete gameplay suggestions as such, more of an inspiration and a gateway to further exploration of the region. What I hope to illustrate is that there is a whole lot more to African history than you’d think, and maybe inspire people to google a term or two. 
West Africa is rather underrepresented and underdeveloped in the current game, considering the strength and wealth of its nations in the time period. Huge empires spanned the savannahs and rich trading opportunities attracted European explorers and merchants to defy the often fatal conditions of its tropical shores, where gold, ivory and fine African cloth were on offer. Early European arrivals stood in awe of the splendor of native cities and kingdoms, bowed down to powerful African kings and had to negotiate fiercely and on equal footing with savvy local merchants.
It was only later, as the extraction of raw materials and labour in exchange for manufactured goods increased economic disparities between Europe and Africa, that these relations began to shift. Cowry beads, highly prized by Africans for its use as currency and in rituals, were imported en masse from the Indian Ocean as mere ballast on European vessels, and cheap European and Indian textiles supplanted locally produced African cloth.
As rich mineral deposits were discovered in the Americas the African gold trade was gradually overtaken by slave trade. The extraction of labour, as well as the carrying off of vast amounts of locally grown food that was needed to transport the enslaved across the ocean, left Africa economically stunted.
The increase in wars and raids to meet the growing European appetite for slaves further scarred the region. Finally, powerful jihadi states grew in the interior, with many flocking to its cause as Islam’s tenets protected believers from slavery. Ancient empires fell and entire ethnic groups were uprooted as centuries of tolerance towards traditional practices ended. All of West Africa was destabilized, and left ripe for outside interference and dominion.
In short: EU4’s time period saw many developments in West Africa, and saw it go from being relatively on equal terms with early European contacts to wildly unequal relations.
None of this, not the initial wealth and power of West African states, nor the countless dynamic developments that took place throughout the centuries, is well represented in the current version of the game. This suggested update seeks to remedy that, at least to a small extent.
Now, without further ado, let’s have a look at the regions new map:
A lot of provinces have been added. Areas that were particularly well developed at the game’s timeframe: the banks of the Niger, the coast of the Bight of Benin, Hausaland and Senegambia have gotten special attention.
This has also allowed for many more nations to be added. ‘Empires’ that were closer to confederacies, like the Jolof and Mossi empires now have their constituent states as playable tags. Most of the Hausa city states are also playable now.
Furthermore, some nations have been added in what was previously unsettled land: particularly around the Bight of Benin and its hinterland. These are mostly small, OPM fetishist nations that will have to contend with greater powers such as Nupe, Oyo and Benin to survive, representing the countless native kingdoms that existed in these areas throughout the game’s timeframe. They also offer a way for fetishist players in the region to build up strength before confronting the more powerful muslims states of the Sahel.
Many uncolonized provinces have been added, particularly on the Gold/Slave Coast, which will allow for a better representation of the string of forts that countless European nations build along these shores, establishing small trading posts and slave entrepôts. We’ll be taking a closer look at all of these as we zoom in on the particular region.
Coastal Gateway: Senegambia
As a little appetizer, today we’ll be taking a closer look at the Senegambia region, that region of Sub-saharan Africa that would make first contact with European explorers coming down the coast from Iberia.
The westernmost provinces of the Mali empire lay here, as well as its smaller rival: the powerful empire of Jolof. Settlements are clustered however around the great rivers that give the region its name: the Gambia and Senegal. Other areas are largely devoid of organised states and can be easily settled by newcomers.
Of particular interest to potential colonizers will be the provinces of N’dar (St. Louis), Banjul and Cacheu, as well as Lebu, better known as Cape Vert, which a wealthy nation might be able to charter. Wherever one settles along these shores, however, be mindful to pay proper respect to the powerful Bur, ruler of the Empire of Jolof.
The Empire of Jolof was a confederacy of states; a string of coastal realms dominated by the inland kingdom of Jolof itself. Five kingdoms are traditionally mentioned as vassals to Jolof: Waalu, Cayor, Baol, Sine and Seyoum, four of which are now represented in game. The coastal kingdoms share Serer culture, and are fetishist, whereas their overlord is of the Wolof culture and was Islamic.
It was through their access to horses and thus powerful cavalry, that the rulers of Jolof were able to dominate their neighbours and keep them paying tribute. With the arrival of European traders on the shores of Senegambia however, the Serer states too gained access to horses and became increasingly independent. Horses were in such high demand here that the Portuguese started breeding them on the Cape Verde islands for this reason specifically. Though initially textiles from the region were traded, cheap European cloth increasingly flooded the market, and slaves became the dominant commodity offered in return.
The mission tree for Jolof consists of two seperate branches. One is focused on keeping its coastal vassals in line and integrating them. Securing the coast and moving the capital there, as the historical prince Bemoi did, will lead Jolof to become an Atlantic trade power. The other branch focuses on securing the borders against looming threats; the Mali Empire, the increasing strenght of Kaabu, and the rising power of Fulo. Doing so will lead to eventual expansion into the former heartland of Ghana, and eventually the Mandinge core territories.
Wolof Ideas:*
Traditions:
-Liberty desire in subjects
+Cavalry combat ability
Legacy of Ndiadiane Ndiaye: +diplomatic reputation
Early adherents of Islam: +religious unity
Tribute of the Five Kingdoms: +income from vassals
Ambassadors abroad: +diplomat
Qadi tribunals: -national unrest
Wolof Griots: +yearly legitimacy
Paying the Waref: +tax modifier
Ambition:
+ Provincial trade power
*because I am a historian and not a game designer, I’m merely suggesting bonuses based on historical features of the nation and am leaving particular percentages to the professionals.
Serer Ideas:
Traditions:
+Diplomatic relations
-national unrest
Descendents of Jamboon & Againe: +light ship trade power
Worship of the Pangool: -stability cost modifier
laamb wrestling: +discipline
Wassu Stone Circles: +yearly prestige
The Sacred Point of Sangomar: +naval tradition
Jola brethren: +max accepted culture
Settlers of Sayoum: +settler increase
Ambition:
-shock damage recieved
To the east of Jolof lays the fertile lands of Futa Tooro along the Senegal river. Here and in surrounding regions the Fulani tribes make their home. They look increasingly set to organise into a powerful kingdom of their own, and their realm of Fulo will spawn here not too far from the start date of the game. Fiercely islamic, these herdsman are driven to expansion by a continuous search for new grazing grounds and the fickle climatic conditions of the region. Fulo spawns with cores on the former heartland of the Ghana empire, now part of Mali, around Wagadu and stretching towards Baghana. Conflict with the Mali empire therefor seems inevitable.
Fulani Ideas:
Traditions:
+Looting speed
+Cavalry combat ability
Followers of Tenguella: +morale of armies
Early adopters of the Faith: +missionary strength
Code of Munyal: +discipline
Code of Gacce: +diplomatic reputation
Code of Hakkile: -aggressive expansion impact
Code of Sagata: +production efficiency
The Fula Diaspora: -culture conversion cost
Ambition:
-advisor cost
To simulate the diffusion of Fulani around the region, and their employ as herdsman throughout the many states of the Sahel, there will be dynamic events that can happen after 1450. Any savannah provinces (and ones that produce livestock or wool in particular) in the region will have a chance of having their culture changed to Fulani. This might seem destabilizing, but could actually prove an asset to a player, as West African sunni nations that have Fulani as an accepted culture can later form one of the powerful Fulani Jihadi states, Macina for nations in the Mande-culture group and Sokoto for Hausa-states.
That is all for now, next week we’ll have a look at Jolof and Fulo’s big, scary neighbor: the regional powerhouse of Mali as well as its rival, the up and coming empire of Songhai.
See you then!
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