The Ancient Civilization ofMali

By: Joao, Ryan, Tom

Today, Mali is a landlocked country in West Africa, but it’s history is rich and

vast, dating back to the 14th Century

Mali was once part of the three famed West African Empires, which included:

•Mali•Songhai•Ghana

A map of the 3 Western African Empires

The ancient civilization of Mali was located on the lower part of

Western Africa, near the Niger River

Under the powerful rule of the great Mali Empire, cities like

Djenne and Timbuktu developed

The Great Mosque of Djenne was built out of mud for weary traveler's who

wished to speak with God

During it’s peak, Mali controlled trans-Sahara trade along with Ghana and Songhai (Trans-Saharan Trade is any trade that goes through the Saharan

Desert)

The trans-Saharan trade route was Mali’s main income source, which gave

the region rich trade and powerful rulers

Mali was formed by Sundiata, it's most known leader. Mali also

greatly developed under Mansa Musa, who influenced Mali’s

Golden Age and many Africans to become Muslims

Beneath is a depiction of Sundiata, while on the right is a portrait of Mansa Musa

The rich trade allowed Mali to gain hold over the salt trade. Mali also

had many professional traders, who exported gold dust and agricultural produce north to

Europe

A caravan of camels with salt on their backs

Wherever there is trade, currency is needed. And for that they used Cowrie shells

which were also used for taxation

Mali became very important after 1235, but it’s first city (Jenne-Jeno)

developed in 200 B.C.

Mali’s decline started in the 14th century, when trans-Saharan trade

became worthless, due to European sea trade

Overall Mali was once a great empire of great wealth and filled

with riches, but decline was unavoidable when European sea

trade eliminated their biggest source of income