Transcript What does it mean to be a Muslim

Aim:
Describe how Mansa Musa
advanced Mali
Empire of Mali

1235 CE: Kingdom of Mali emerged
Wealth built on gold
 Most important trade routes move
east


Sundiata: Mali’s first great leader
Came to power by crushing unpopular
leader
 Became Mali’s mansa (Emperor)
 Proved to be a great leader in peace & war
 Promoted agriculture & reestablished goldsalt trade

Mansa Musa Expands Mali

1255: Sundiata died

Mali’s next rulers became Muslim
Most famous was Mansa Musa
 Was Sundiata’s grandnephew
 Ruled from 1312-1332

Mansa Musa was a skilled military
leader

Exercised royal control over gold-salt trade
 Empire expanded 2 times size of Ghana

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Considered a devout Muslim
Went on hajj to Mecca
 After his return, Mansa built new mosques
and universities in city of Timbuktu
 Considered center for trading education

Travels of Ibn Battuta

1352: Ibn Battuta comes to Mali
Traveler & historian
 Visited countries of Islamic world for 27
years

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Was a Devout Muslim
Praised people for study of Qur’an
 Criticized them for not strictly practicing
Islam
 Was impressed with Mali’s justice system
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1353: Ibn Battuta left Mali
Within 50 years, Mali began to
weaken

Mansa Musa’s successors lacked ability to
govern well
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