The Mali Empire Begins
The Mande-speaking people living south of Ghana founded Mali, a kingdom that emerged in 1235 right after the Ghana Empire. The Mali Empire was formed when the Mande-speaking people broke away from Ghana and began to live independently; they broke away from Ghana because Ghana was becoming weaker and weaker. Their miners found more gold deposits in the east and important trade routes made Mali wealthy; Mali now trades gold, salt, and copper.
Government Organization
Mansa Musa
One of Mali's great leaders was Mansa Musa. Mansa Musa was the grandnephew of Sundiata, another great leader. Mansa Musa was an excellent military leader and his army kept order within and around Mali. He was also a devout Muslim; he went to Mecca in 1324. Upon his return, Mansa Musa ordered more mosques to be built. He also built and designed amazing buildings, including mosques in Timbuktu and Gao, trading cities. This is significant because it made Timbuktu the most important city in the Mali Empire. It also attracted many Muslim doctors, judges, religious leaders, and scholars to stay there and attend the mosques and universities.
Trade Affects and Influences Mali
Trade affected Mali greatly. Mali traded gold, salt, and copper. Trading these items made Mali's wealth increased. Mali used it's wealth to build learning centers for Muslim scholars.
The Fall of the Mali Empire
The Mali Empire weakened after Mansa Musa's reign ended. The rulers following him didn't know how to govern Mali, thus making Mali weaker. As the Mali Empire weakened, a new empire, the Songhai Empire, emerged. The Songhai Empire was the last powerful empire to exist in West Africa, ending the 1,000-year period of powerful empires and kingdoms in West Africa.
Islam Affects and Influences Mali
All the rulers of the Mali Empire were Muslim. Therefore, they built many mosques, influencing it's people to become Muslim. These people also studied the Qur'an. However, Mali didn't strictly practice Islam moral code.