Mali
The empire of Mali thrived as a
dominant power from the 13th to the 15th century. The Mande – speaking Mandinken people,
founded Mali. At that time early Mali
was governed by a council of caste – leaders who chose a “Mansa,” To rule.
However, that position evolved into a more powerful role similar to a king or
emperor.
The story goes that Mali was
suffering a fearful drought when a visitor told the king, Mansa Barmandana,
that the drought would break if he converted to Islam. The king converted and
as predicted the drought ended. When the king did this others converted as
well, but the mansa did not force a total conversion. Many retained their
Mandinkan (Muslim) beliefs. This religious freedom remained through out the
centuries as Mali emerged into a powerful state.
The mansa’s responsible for Mali's
rise to a powerful state is Sundiata Keita. He was a talented military leader.
He led a successful rebellion against the oppressive rule of Sumanguru, the
Susu leader who had taken control of the Ghanian Empire. After their downfall,
Sundiata laid claim to the lucrative gold and salt trade that brought Ghana to
prosperity.
The borders of Mali were similar
to the former borders of Ghana because it was ounce a feudal territory that
rose after Ghana fell to the Susu. In other words Mali occupied Ghana’s former
borders. In there early history they continued to extend there borders west to
the Atlantic. North to the upper portions of the Sahara. South they extended
down the Niger River past the city of Djenne. Originally they started expanding
from the top of the Niger River from the city of Timbuktu. Then steadily they
conquered the lands down stream including the towns of Djenne and Kawkaw,
thought to be the modern day city of Gao. Controlling the Niger and the cities
along its banks were important for trade and travel. The Niger was the main
artery of commerce for both west and north African trade routes. Mali’s control
of the Niger, and these important cities helped it grow and prosper.
Important elements that held
together the government of Mali were there power in military and trade. Much
like Ghana, Mali was organized into a series of feudal states ruled by a mansa.
A large cavalry helped enforce the rule of the mansa. Their horsemen were armed
with steel armor and weapons, which included chain mail, spears, and iron
swords. The empire was split into 12 different districts. A sultan ruled each
district and he answered to the Mansa. There were also 2 generals who commanded
the vast armies, 1 in the northern half and the other in the southern half. The
ability of the king to rule effectively came from his wealth and military
power.
As Mansa, Sundiata,
established a cultural exchange system whereby the sons and daughters would
spend time in foreign courts, promoting understanding and a better chance of
peace among nations.
After Sundiata's died in 1255
his son, Wali, continued his work and made great strides in agricultural
development. He also encouraged competition among trading centers like Timbuktu
and Djenne.This strengthened their economic positions and allowed them to
develop into important centers of culture.
Possibly the greatest ruler of
Mali was Mansa Musa. During his twenty-five year reign, Musa doubled the
territory of the empire and tripled the trade. Musa was a devout Muslim; in
1324 he made a pilgrimage to Mecca. The people where astonished by his wealth
and generosity. Musa introduced so much gold into circulation into the Middle
East that it took almost a dozen years for the economy to recover.
After Musa's death Mali went
into a slow decline in the 1400`s until Songhay established its self as a
dominant force.