Transcript Mansa Musa - Jenks Public Schools

The History of Sundiata and Mansa Musa
Sundiata & Mansa Musa

 Sundiata: of Mande people; Founder of Mali Empire- Griots have been telling the Epic of Sundiata for
over 900 years (mix of history & legend)
 He took political power from local leaders, mansa’s, and took the
name with it
 Mansa Musa: most famous ruler who brought
wealth, fame, and power to the kingdom of Ghana
 Grandson of one of Sundiata’s sisters (matrilineal tradition)
Mali Empire

Strengths of Mali

1. Trade: Conquered nearby kingdoms
o Controlled the Salt and Gold Trade
2. Agriculture: Improved and introduced new
crops; cotton used for clothing & trade
o Increase of slavery in order to work the newly
developed lands
o Sundiata first est. this system and Mansa
Musa continued its prosperity
Spread of Islam- The Hajj

 Mansa Musa 1st devout Muslim ruler in W. Africa
 Spread of Islam led to popularity of the pilgrimage
 60,000-80,000 people (servants) accompanied Mansa
on his journey to Mecca (1324)
 100 camel loads of gold
Outside Views of Mali

 Mansa Musa’s elaborate journey sparked interest in
Mali and many people from Asia, Egypt, and other
parts of Africa visited
 Created greater wealth, popularity, interest, and
overall cultural diffusion
 By 1375 Mali appeared on a European map of West
Africa

Map from 1375 shows King Mansa Musa enthroned in the kingdom of Mali.
Cultural Significance of Islam in W. Africa

 Sent scholars to study in Morocco in order to set up school in
Mali studying the Qur’an
 Wanted Muslims to read/write in Arabic
 Arabic as main language in government, & trade
 Hired architects from other Muslim countries to build mosques
throughout his empire
Timbuktu: The City of Gold

 Tuareg nomads from Sahara first est. Timbuktu in 11th c.
 Once conquered by Mali became an important location
as a link between N. and W. Africa.
 Important center for trade: salt, gold, cloth, sugar, kola
nuts, glass beads, and shells, slaves, books…
 Several mosques were built by Mansa Musa & later
rulers=center of Islamic learning
Fall of Empire

 Weak leadership: Maghan took over after Mansa
Musa’s death, could not stop raiders who set fire to
Timbuktu’s great schools & mosques
 Mali grew too large for gov’t to control, parts began to
break away and declare independence
 Invaders: Tuareg nomads seized Timbuktu in 1431
 By 1500’s Mali empire was dismantled