IntroductionIn 1240, the people of Mali conquered the old capital of Ghana and established a new empire.
Mali's first great leader, Sundiata (Sun•JAHT•ah) took over the Kingdom of Ghana and other trading cities through a series of military victories. The rulers brought both gold and salt mines under their direct control. Mali's rulers converted to Islam, although most of their people did not. |
Achievement and Advancements
Under the leader Mansa Musa a flourishing trading city emerged on the Niger River, this city, Timbuktu, became a center of learning.
The city attracted students from Europe, Asia, and Africa. Because of the importance of studying the Qu'ran (the holy book of Islam) many more West Africans learned to read and write. Arab travelers like Ibn Battuta were impressed by Mali's wealth, its inhabitants respect for law, and the power of its rulers. |
Leadership |
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The most famous, and most important leader of Mali was Mansa Musa who ruled from 1312 to 1332. Mansa Musa was a skilled military leader who kept control over the gold-salt trade and put down rebellions. His 100,000 man army kept order and protected Mali from attack. Under his rule, the Empire of Mali grew to roughly twice the size of the empire of Ghana.
Not only was Mansa Musa a great military leader, but a smart political leader. In order to control this large empire he divided it into provinces and appointed governors to rule these sections of the empire. |
Culture (Language, Religion, Art)
One of the main things that gave fame to Mansa Musa was his work in the field of Islam. Mansa Musa was himself a very pious Muslim and wanted to use Islam for the spiritual well being of his people. He devoted a great deal of his time purifying, strengthening and spreading Islam in Mali, especially after his famous pilgrimage to Mecca.
After his pilgrimage to Mecca he returned to Mali filled with a determination to purify and strengthen Islam, to promote Islamic education and to introduce some of the new things he had seen on his journey.
As a pious Muslim Musa made the end of Ramadan a national ceremony and built imposing mosques in several cities. He also gave generous patronage to Muslim scholars to encourage them in their study and teaching of the Islamic sciences. The Sankore mosque built in Timbuktu became an internationally known center of scholarship, equivalent to the Medieval universities of Europe. This had a number of practical advantages. Literacy in Arabic facilitated (helped) the transaction of government business and also improved political and commercial (business) dealings with North Africa.
After his pilgrimage to Mecca he returned to Mali filled with a determination to purify and strengthen Islam, to promote Islamic education and to introduce some of the new things he had seen on his journey.
As a pious Muslim Musa made the end of Ramadan a national ceremony and built imposing mosques in several cities. He also gave generous patronage to Muslim scholars to encourage them in their study and teaching of the Islamic sciences. The Sankore mosque built in Timbuktu became an internationally known center of scholarship, equivalent to the Medieval universities of Europe. This had a number of practical advantages. Literacy in Arabic facilitated (helped) the transaction of government business and also improved political and commercial (business) dealings with North Africa.
Sankore Mosque is also home to the Sankore University. This Islamic school prospered and became a very significant seat of learning in the Muslim world, especially under the reign of Mansa Musa (1307-1332).
Economics
Mali's major trade product is gold, which was used as currency as well as their main trade item. Only gold dust was used in trade, as all of the gold pieces or solid nuggets in the kingdom were property of the king.
Salt being the main desirable product of the people because of its preservative and nutritional properties. Copper, salt, gold, and slaves were traded for not only salt or fruits, but for cloth as well. Trade was built upon the navigable Niger River. It allowed for much easier trade of bulk with little to no effort to the people, thanks to the gentle current of the Niger River. When trade was restricted to land, camels were the main vessels for travel through the deserts, traveling in large groups surrounded by the Mali’s army. |
Demise
Mali's fall was due to the weakness of the leader that took the place of Mansa Musa, Mali's most powerful leader who died in 1337. After this, invaders and uprisings tore apart the Mali Empire. Not only were the rulers after Mansa Musa less capable, the gold trade which was the basis for the wealth of Mali shifted eastward as new goldfields were discovered in other locations.
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"They (Mali's people) are seldom unjust, and have a great abhorrence (hatred) of injustice than any other people. Their sultan (leader/king) shows no mercy to anyone who is guilty of the least act of it. These is complete security in their country. Neither traveler nor inhabitant in it has anything to fear from robbers."
Ibn Battuta, quoted in Africa in the Days of Exploration
"They (Mali's people) are seldom unjust, and have a great abhorrence (hatred) of injustice than any other people. Their sultan (leader/king) shows no mercy to anyone who is guilty of the least act of it. These is complete security in their country. Neither traveler nor inhabitant in it has anything to fear from robbers."
Ibn Battuta, quoted in Africa in the Days of Exploration