MANSA MUSA &THE KINGDOM OF MALISocial Studies for 10th

Teacher: Mauricio Torres

The Kingdom of Mali

In the upper Niger river, there was a nation called the Mandinka.

They had suffered defeat in a war. The king and his family were

slaughtered, except for one of his sons, who was considered too weak and sickly to pose a threat.

By 1235, he had crushed his enemies, he was in control of the gold trade routes and founded the Kingdom of Mali.

His name was Sundiata

Sundiata’s Achievements

He conquered the decaying Empire of Ghana.

He improved agriculture and introduced cotton.

He took power away from local leaders, in order to centralize it.

Mali

Mali is an Arab version of the Mandinka word. Their kings were called Mansas. They stretched their dominions to the south. Cities like Timbuktu boomed into civilized centers.

The Greatest King

In the year 1312, the greatest ruler of the kingdom, came to the throne.

His name was…

MANSA MUSA

MANSA MUSA

• He expanded Mali’s borders:• To the north and

towards the Atlantic• He made sure that peace

was kept within his kingdom.

• He converted to Islam and adopted the Muslim justice system.• But, he promoted

religious tolerance and did not impose his religion on his subjects.

Mansa Musas’ Travels

Mansa Musas’ Travels

His entourage: 12000 servants for the King. 500 for his wife. 14000 slaves carrying fine silk clothes and

the luggage. 500 carrying golden staffs

His fortune spent is estimated to be 100 million USD if he had done the trip today.

For the only time in history, one man controlled the price of gold.

The Hajj

In 1324 he made the hajj, or pilgrimage to the Mecca.

He showed his devotion towards his religion.

On the way he made a few diplomatic and economic ties with other Muslim states.

Buildings for life

Afterwards, he brought back with him many different scholars, architects and teachers who helped promote Islamic education.

He built a university in Timbuktu, which still exists today!

Decline of Mali

In the 1400s, internal disputes weakened Mali.

Subject nations broke away, and little by little, it all collapsed.

The power vacuum was filled by Songhai

Homework: Being a Herald

You are travelling with Mansa Musa on your way to Mecca.

You are his herald, and it is your job to announce him every time you arrive to a new city.

Write a paragraph describing you king to your hosts in order to announce his coming.

Remember: His kindness. His wealth. His devotion to his religion. His abilities as a leader. Etc.

Be eloquent!

Ask Yourself

Identify: After conquering neighboring kingdoms, what did Sundiata focus on?

Infer: Why do you think Mansa Musa traveled in such an opulent manner?

Analyze: What kind of leader was Mansa Musa?

Bibliography

Ellis, E. G., & Esler, A. (2009). World History. (P. Hall, Ed.) Upper Saddle River, New Jersey, US: Pearson Education INC.

Burstein, S. M., & Shek, R. (2012). World History (Teacher´s Edition) (1st Edition ed.). (H. McDougal, Ed.) Orlando, Florida, US.: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.

Images taken from Google.