Mali gold earrings mudcloth A pair of gold earrings from ancient Mali Mali mudcloth A griot (storyteller) present day Mali Lead-in to next slide: Mali is a very old country. It has had many kings but there were 2 especially important kings. mudcloth

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.

Improvements in Mali Mansa Sundiata improved agriculture (farming) Used the soldiers to clear farmland and organize the farmers. Raised beans, onions, rice, millet & sorghum Introduced cotton, used to make cool clothes.

What did Mali trade? Gold Salt The dotted lines are trade routes from Mali to other parts of Africa

What else did they trade? Camels, the ships of the desert, traveled in caravans bringing to Mali: Copper Ivory Cloth Kola Nuts Slaves Books Shells

Why was Salt Important? Mali often traded its gold for salt. Salt was sometimes more valuable than gold! People’s bodies need salt to live. In the desert heat, salt is lost through perspiration. Salt was used to preserve food. Salt was brought in large slabs (coins). The man is holding a slab of salt mined recently near Timbuktu MiniFact: The picture behind these words is also a slab of SALT!

Government To control his growing power, Sundiata took power away from the local leaders called Mansas. He also took the title of Mansa for himself. The Mansa of Mali had both religious and political power It was the Mansa’s responsibility to ensure the success of his people by keeping the ancestors happy!

Mansa Musa Several kings ruled after Sundiata’s death. Mansa Musa was grandson of Sundiata. He became the greatest king of Mali in 1312. Under Mansa Musa, Mali became a great trading center. Many people in Mali converted to Islam but Mansa Musa did not force them to. MiniFact: Mansa means Emperor or King

Mansa Musa’s Hajj Mansa Musa was a devout Muslim. He decided to make the ‘hajj’ to Mecca. Mansa Musa crossed Africa to reach Mecca. He took a huge caravan with him in 1324. He had 100 camels each carrying 300 lbs of gold. 60,000 men traveled with him. After that, everyone knew about the wealth of Mali.

Timbuktu A very important city in Mali Center of learning for Muslims Universities and schools Largest trading center in Mali On the Niger River Trade Food Washing Timbuktu 19th century traders in Timbuktu

Fall of Mali Weak leaders after the death of Mansa Musa. Empire was too large for government to control. Invaders attacked and seized Timbuktu. Gradually, people living on the edges of Mali’s empire broke away.