Muslim Empires of West Africa Rise of Mali Triumph of Sundiata – After Ghana fell, the small...
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Transcript of Muslim Empires of West Africa Rise of Mali Triumph of Sundiata – After Ghana fell, the small...
Muslim Empires of West AfricaRise of Mali
• Triumph of Sundiata– After Ghana fell, the small kingdoms it once
ruled competed for power– In 1203, Sumanguru took over– The Malinke people grew tired of Sumanguru’s
rule and Sundiata created a new empire in 1235, Mali
• A New Empire– Sundiata was a wise ruler that called himself
mansa, or emperor– He ruled with an assembly of kings– The assembly put forth a set of laws that dealt
with social classes, property rights, environment, and personal conduct
Mali at its Height• Mansa Musa’s Hajj
– Mansa Musa was emperor of Mali during its prosperous time from 1312-1337 CE
– Mansa Musa went on a hajj, or religious journey, to the holy city of Mecca• He brought 12,000 officials and slaves and
more than 80 camels loaded with bags of gold dust
• He spent so much gold in Cairo that it upset the economy of Egypt for years
• Brought attention to his empire
• Muslim culture in Mali– Mansa Musa brought home Muslim
scholars, artists, and teachers– Tombouctou became center for Islamic
scholarship• Expansion of Mali
– At its height, covered an area about the size of Western Europe
– Population of roughly 50 million
Rise of the Songhai Empire• Conquests of Ali– Rulers of Mali began losing
control in the 1400’s– When they lost control of Gao,
Songhai grew in power under the Muslim leader Sunni Ali
– Sunni Ali was a great military leader• Conquered Tombouctou and
Djenne• Took control of the Trans-Saharan
trade routes
• The Largest Empire• Songhai became the largest of
West Africa’s trading empires
• Islamic Law and Scholarship– “Salt comes from the north, gold
from the south, and silver from the country of white men, but the word of God and the treasures of wisdom are only to be found in Tombouctou.”
– Arabic was and remains the language of scholarship for millions of people
– Commercial success soared through the use of a common language
• Decline of Songhai– Sons of the ruler Askia Muhammad
fought for power and weakened the empire
– Songhai came to end in 1591 CE when Morocco invaded, armed with guns
• Family, Agriculture, and Religion– Millions of Africans speak
the languages of Mali and Songhai
– Griots still sing about the achievements of great kings
– Families still form the basis of society
– Markets and farming remain key parts of the economy
– Islam continues to be a major influence