The Emirate of Brakna was a pre-colonial state in what is today southern Mauritania. Its name is shared with the modern Region of Brakna.
History As the Maqil Arabs began moving into the Sahara Desert in the 14th century, they split into various clans. Brakna and Trarza are both subgroups of the Banu Hassan.
The Brakna and Trarza allied to face the forces of Nasr ad-Din (Lamtuna) in the Char Bouba war of 1673-77. Their victory gave both tribes control over the Gum arabic trade and strengthened them enough to establish the emirates.
Brakna and Trarza fought a war from 1720-22 competing to obtain influence in the kingdoms of Waalo and Futa Toro, with a shifting set of alliances. Brakna, under Emir Hamet Mokhtar, also allied with Abdul Kader during his revolution that established the Imamate of Futa Toro.
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