1. 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

2. 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.

3. 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.

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

6. 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

7. 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!

8. 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!

9. 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

11. 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 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.

12. 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

13. 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.