1. Kingdom of Mali
A.D

2. Location Upper Niger Valley West African savanna
Present-day Mali, Mauritania and Senegal

3. Where we locate the Kingdom of Mali

4. The Rise of Mali Factor One: Fall of Ghana
The decline of the Ghana Empire allowed for new leadership.
Factor Two: Invasion
Sundiata’s Rebellion in

5. Sundiata Declared himself Mansa (Ruler)
Conquered surrounding areas and increased the size of the kingdom
Took control of the salt and gold trade
Developed a set of laws for the people to follow

6. Mansa Musa Musa became mansa after his grandfather’s (Sundiata) death.
Expanded the kingdom further.
Made Islam the official religion.

7. Musa’s Hajj Mansa Musa made a pilgrimage to Mecca in 1324.
When he travelled, with him came…
Soldiers whose swords hung from gold chains and rode horses decorated with gold.
Thousands of slaves, each dressed in silk and carrying a staff made of gold.
Dozens of camels, each carrying 300 pounds of gold.

8. Mansa Musa’s Gold Mansa Musa’s pilgrimage made Mali famous.
People were amazed by the amount of gold that he and his officials traded and gave away.
So much gold was distributed that its value actually decreased, especially in Egypt.

9. Mali: Center of Learning
Mansa Musa’s hajj also created new ties between Mali and other Muslims
Mansa Musa used these ties to make Mali a center of learning

10. Mali: Center of Learning
Built universities, libraries and mosques
Attracted poets, writers and scholars
Taught religion, mathematics, medicine and law

11. Mali’s Decline When Mansa Musa died, Mali’s power faded
No other leader was powerful or influential enough to hold the kingdom together
Raiders attacked from the north and fighting broke out within the kingdom
Several provinces broke away and became independent

12. Review
How did Sundiata help Mali become the most powerful kingdom in West Africa?
What was the result of Mansa Musa’s trip to Mecca?
How did Mansa Musa help make Mali a center of learning?
Why do you think Mali’s power began to fade after Mansa Musa died?