West Africans needed salt. North Africans had salt.

North African nomads crossed the Sahara desert to engage in trade with West Africans.

Of course, any kingdom strong enough to control this trade was prosperous and powerful.

By 1240 A.D., the West African kingdom of Mali had conquered the weakened kingdom of Ghana.

The kings of Mali brought the salt and gold mines under their control.

The West African kingdom of Mali truly was “the land of gold”!

Of course, trade increased cultural diffusion as the religion of Islam entered West Africa along trade routes.

Many West Africans converted to Islam.

The kings of Mali were good rulers but the greatest king of Mali was Mansa Musa.

Muslim and the most significant Mansa Musa was a pious Muslim and the most significant king of Mali.

Mansa Musa established a great center for learning in Timbuktu, the capital city of Mali.

He encouraged learning and invited Arab scholars to study at his great university.

As a pious Muslim, Mansa Musa made a pilgrimage to Mecca.

Mansa Musa fulfilled an important obligation of Islam by making the pilgrimage to Mecca.

Mansa Musa also fulfilled the pillar of charity by giving gold away on his journey.

Sadly, subsequent kings were not as capable as Mansa Musa and the empire declined after his death.