Mali A Story In Pictures

The nation was called Mali. Mali became a legendary empire- a place of power and great wealth!

The Country Of Mali Mali is located in western Africa. Many people think the outline of the country looks like a “toilet.” A variety of regions can be found in west Africa.

Regions Of West Africa The region farthest north is the Sahara Desert. South of the Sahara is a region called the Sahel. (this is much like a desert, but with more grasses) Below the Sahel is the savanna, a large grassland. South of the savanna is the rainforest region.

The Empire of Mali Africa was home to several great empires. One of the most prosperous (wealthy) countries was Mali. Mali was a wealthy trading empire before Columbus sailed to America in 1492.

Salt was mined in the deserts of the Sahara. The Sahara Desert Salt was mined in the deserts of the Sahara.

The Niger River The Niger River runs through the Empire of Mali, and brings water for drinking. The Niger River also gave farmers plenty of good soil called, SILT, in which to grow their crops.

Physical Characteristics Mali is located in West Africa. It is near rivers. The climate is desert-like. There are gold mines.

Camels Camels were Mali’s treasures. They helped make Mali rich, because they carried the GRAND cargo. Camels preparing to make their slow, steady way across the Sahara loaded down with goods on their way to the great markets. Camels carrying Mali’s finest treasures.

Buildings were created from sun dried mud made from sand. Architecture in Mali Buildings were created from sun dried mud made from sand.

Human Characteristics The people were: farmers miners traders

A king was called a MANSA. The mansas became rich and powerful kings. They collected taxes from the citizens of their empire. Sundiata, better known as the “Lion King,” saved Mali and brought back peace. Under his rule, Mali became rich. Mansa Musa, another great king, helped Mali grow in size. He was known as, “the King of Africa.”

Sundiata: The Lion King Prince of the Mandinka people, who were conquered by cruel Susu In 1230, he conquered the Susu people Under Sundiata, Mali prospered Died in 1255

A camel caravan A caravan is a group of camels that travel together carrying goods. They were often traveling to trade centers. Camels were the trucks and trains of Mali often bringing goods from far away lands to trade. However, camels were well adapted for life in the desert. They have special eyes and feet, and they can drink lots of water at a time!

A griot was a storyteller. Most of Mali’s history was told as stories. Griots often told stories using music and dance. “The instrument that I play is called a KORA. I strum the strings like a guitar.”

I am a griot. I am a teller of stories, and a singer of songs. I am the keeper of memories and laws. I am the teacher of kings and children. I hold the whole story of my country in my head and in my heart. I want to share it with you!

A Mud Cloth Each piece of mud cloth tells a story. No two pieces are alike and each pattern or color combination has a meaning. The symbols used, their color and shape, as well as the arrangement reveal the secrets of the story.

More Mud Cloths Adding the symbols to the cloth. A completed “mud cloth”

Trade Mali was between the trade routes of the Sahara Desert where there was salt, and West Africa which had gold mines. Salt was a natural resource found in the desert. People used salt for preserving food and for their health. Miners found gold in West Africa. Salt was traded for gold.

Salt Salt was mined in the Sahara. The slabs were loaded onto camels and sent to trading centers.

Miners mining salt. These are slabs of salt ready to be exported by camels to a trading center.

Trading Routes in Mali

Off to TIMBUKTU!

Timbuktu Mali citizens on their way to the markets in Timbuktu to trade their goods.

Malians trade their goods at the markets. Trading in Timbuktu Malians trade their goods at the markets.

I will let you trade in our country. Leaders of Mali The kings of Mali were rich and powerful men who controlled trade in West Africa. Mali became one of the largest and wealthiest empires and was an important trade center. I will let you trade in our country.

Religion The people of Mali were “Muslims” and followed the ways of ISLAM, their religion. The worshipped at temples called “mosques.”

Mecca Mansa Musa, a famous king, took the Islam religion very seriously. One thing they wanted every Muslim to do was to journey to Mecca once in his or her lifetime. Mecca is a holy city in Saudi Arabia. The journey, called a hajj, was a trip that was more than 3,000 miles from Mali. Can you imagine riding a camel that far?