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: Nobles - Muslims Common People - Many gods and goddesses 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