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Ancient Kingdom of Mali

 

 

 

 

 

 

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 strong and courageous. He was also very clever. He was a very good king. He kept the drums and storytellers busy with tales of his achievements and accomplishments. The first thing he did was to restore trade with the neighbors. 

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. He was such a neat guy.  When Mansa Musa became king, he did more than expand trade with the neighbors. He traveled across Africa, in search of new places to trade and new people to meet. His adventures are the stuff of legends! 

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

Religions:

Clothing: Colorful, cotton

Map of Ancient Mali: Ancient Mali (King's Park School) 

 

Mali Interactive

Free Africa Presentations in PowerPoint format 


 To learn more about Africa, click on Anansi

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

Illustrated by Phillip Martin  - All rights reserved
We're Published! See Mr Donn & Maxie at SocialStudies.com 

Counter start date January 2006