The Mali Empire was one of the greatest and richest empires in African history. It was located in West Africa and ruled from the 1200s to the 1500s. Its success came from gold, trade, and strong leadership.
How It Started
The empire began with a leader named Sundiata Keita in 1235 CE. He united many small kingdoms after defeating a powerful ruler named Sumanguru of the Sosso people. Sundiata built a strong army and created a system of government that brought peace and order.
The Power of Trade
Mali became rich through trans-Saharan trade. Gold and salt were the main goods. Gold was mined in the south, and salt came from the desert. Traders from North Africa and the Middle East crossed the Sahara to trade with Mali.
Mansa Musa – The Wealthiest Man in History
The most famous ruler of Mali was Mansa Musa, who ruled from 1312 to 1337. He is known for being possibly the richest person in world history.
In 1324, he made a famous journey (Hajj) to Mecca, giving away so much gold along the way that it caused inflation in cities like Cairo. His trip made Mali famous across the world.
Timbuktu – City of Learning
Under Mansa Musa, the city of Timbuktu became a center for learning and culture. The Sankoré University had thousands of books and manuscripts on science, religion, and history. Students came from many parts of Africa and the Islamic world to study there.
The Fall of the Empire
After Mansa Musa died, the empire became weaker due to wars and leadership problems. In the late 1400s, the Songhai Empire took over much of Mali’s land. But the influence of Mali’s culture and history remained strong.
Why It Matters
The Mali Empire proves that Africa had great civilizations with wealth, education, and power long before colonial times. Its history shows a proud legacy of African strength and leadership.