The Empire of MaliThe Empire of Mali

Sundiata Makes Mali an EmpireSundiata Makes Mali an Empire Like Ghana, Mali lay Like Ghana, Mali lay

along the upper Niger along the upper Niger RiverRiver

The area had very fertile The area had very fertile soilsoil

Consider the geographic Consider the geographic advantages of Mali’s advantages of Mali’s location. How might location. How might these factors contribute these factors contribute to the growth of Mali? to the growth of Mali?

Sundiata Makes Mali an EmpireSundiata Makes Mali an Empire

Mali’s rise to power began under a Mali’s rise to power began under a ruler named ruler named SundiataSundiata

Sundiata was a son of the king of Sundiata was a son of the king of MaliMali

A cruel ruler conquered Mali when A cruel ruler conquered Mali when Sundiata was a boySundiata was a boy

How do you think Sundiata took How do you think Sundiata took over and made Mali an empire?over and made Mali an empire?

Sundiata Makes Mali an EmpireSundiata Makes Mali an Empire

When he got older, When he got older, Sundiata gathered a Sundiata gathered a huge army and won huge army and won Mali’s independenceMali’s independence

Sundiata conquered Sundiata conquered nearby kingdoms, nearby kingdoms, including Ghanaincluding Ghana

Sundiata Makes Mali an EmpireSundiata Makes Mali an Empire

He also took over the salt and gold He also took over the salt and gold tradestrades

Sundiata made Mali an empireSundiata made Mali an empire

Improvements in MaliImprovements in Mali Sundiata’s improvements: Sundiata’s improvements:

– Rebuilt overgrazed farmlandsRebuilt overgrazed farmlands– Cleared new farmlands for cropsCleared new farmlands for crops– Introduced new crops like cottonIntroduced new crops like cotton– Put soldiers to work in the fieldsPut soldiers to work in the fields

Draw a picture that Draw a picture that demonstrates what Sundiata demonstrates what Sundiata did to improve Mali.did to improve Mali.

Sundiata’s Consolidation of PowerSundiata’s Consolidation of Power

Sundiata took power away from local Sundiata took power away from local leadersleaders

These leaders had been called These leaders had been called MansasMansas

Sundiata took the title “Mansa” for Sundiata took the title “Mansa” for himselfhimself

Wrap it UpWrap it Up

ReviewReview: What steps did Sundiata : What steps did Sundiata take to turn Mali into an empire?take to turn Mali into an empire?

PredictPredict: What do you think happened : What do you think happened to Mali when Sundiata died?to Mali when Sundiata died?

InferInfer: Given what we know about : Given what we know about African history, how do you think we African history, how do you think we came to know about Sundiata?came to know about Sundiata?

Mansa MusaMansa Musa Mali’s greatest and most Mali’s greatest and most

famous ruler was a Muslim famous ruler was a Muslim named named Mansa MusaMansa Musa

Under his leadership, Mali Under his leadership, Mali reached the height of its reached the height of its wealth, power, and famewealth, power, and fame

Mansa Musa ruled for Mansa Musa ruled for about 25 years, and about 25 years, and captured many important captured many important trading citiestrading cities

Mansa MusaMansa Musa

Religion was very important to Religion was very important to Mansa MusaMansa Musa

Because of Mansa Musa’s influence, Because of Mansa Musa’s influence, Islam spread through a large part of Islam spread through a large part of West AfricaWest Africa

Mansa MusaMansa Musa In 1324, he left on a pilgrimage to MeccaIn 1324, he left on a pilgrimage to Mecca He brought with him:He brought with him:

– 100 camels loaded with 300 pounds of gold nuggets100 camels loaded with 300 pounds of gold nuggets– 100 camels loaded with 300 pounds of gold dust100 camels loaded with 300 pounds of gold dust– 100 camels loaded with 300 pounds of gold flakes100 camels loaded with 300 pounds of gold flakes– 60,000 servants to help him along the way60,000 servants to help him along the way

Mansa Musa’s pilgrimage put Mali and West Mansa Musa’s pilgrimage put Mali and West Africa on the mapAfrica on the map

Draw a picture that represents Mansa Musa’s Draw a picture that represents Mansa Musa’s pilgrimage to Meccapilgrimage to Mecca

Mansa MusaMansa Musa

Mansa Musa also supported Mansa Musa also supported educationeducation

He sent scholars to study the Qur’an He sent scholars to study the Qur’an and Arabic in Moroccoand Arabic in Morocco

He established Arabic schools in MaliHe established Arabic schools in Mali

Mansa MusaMansa Musa

The Mali capital of Timbuktu became The Mali capital of Timbuktu became a great center of Islamic culturea great center of Islamic culture

Arabic became the main language of Arabic became the main language of both religion and governmentboth religion and government

Mansa MusaMansa Musa

Mansa Musa built mosques in Mali’s Mansa Musa built mosques in Mali’s cities, but he did not force Islam on cities, but he did not force Islam on anyone who chose not to practice it.anyone who chose not to practice it.

Infer: Do you think Mali under Mansa Infer: Do you think Mali under Mansa Musa was a free society? Why or Musa was a free society? Why or why not?why not?

The Fall of MaliThe Fall of Mali

After Mansa Musa died, there were After Mansa Musa died, there were no more strong leadersno more strong leaders

Invaders and uprisings tore apart the Invaders and uprisings tore apart the large and unwieldy empirelarge and unwieldy empire

Invaders destroyed the great schools Invaders destroyed the great schools and mosques of Timbuktuand mosques of Timbuktu

By 1500, Mali had lost most of its By 1500, Mali had lost most of its land and powerland and power

Predict: What do you think is going to Predict: What do you think is going to happen in West Africa after Mali happen in West Africa after Mali falls?falls?