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Mali began as one of the districts in the Kingdom
of Ghana. Around 1230 CE, Ghana collapsed and Mali took
over. In time, they grew to be larger than Ghana!
The new king, Sundiata,
was young and clever. He was a very good king. One of the
first things he did, when he became king after Ghana collapsed, was to
restore trade with the neighbors. He recognized that
trade was critical to Mali's survival and growth.
He expanded Mali so that Mali controlled some of
the gold mines to the south and some of the salt mines in the north. His
son Wali continued his good works, and expanded the borders of the
empire even more.
His
grandson, Mansa
Musa, has intrigued people for hundreds of years. His
adventures are legendary!
Mansa
Musa loved knowledge and poetry.
Under the direction of Mansa Musa, a university was built at
Timbuktu, a city on the Trans-Sahara
Trade Route, in ancient Mali.This university became a famous center of learning. People came
from all over to study there.
Quick
Look
Time Period: The
empire of Mali had its heyday from 1200 CE through
the late 1400's.
Major Export: Gold
and Salt
Natural
resources: Niger River, Gold Mines, Salt Mines
Industries:
Farming, mining, trading, defense (army)
Agricultural
crops: Beans, rice, onions, sorghum, millet, papaya,
gourds,
cattle, sheep, goats, poultry, cotton, and peanuts.
Economic
specialization: Traders, miners, farmers, blacksmiths,
soldiers
Famous
People: Sundiata,
Mansa
Musa
People:
Happy. The common people worked very hard. Nobles were
more comfortable. Everyone made time for music,
art, and the
griots.
Education:
University
at Timbuktu
Religion:
Clothing:
Colorful, cotton
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