The document summarizes the rise and fall of the Mali Empire in West Africa between 1240-1500 CE. It describes how the Mali Empire emerged after the fall of the Ghana Empire and was founded by Sundiata who defeated Sumanguru in battle in 1235. Mansa Musa expanded the Mali Empire greatly during his rule from 1307-1332 through expanding trade routes and establishing Timbuktu as a center of learning. However, internal problems like weak rulers after Musa and rebellions, as well as external threats, contributed to the decline of the Mali Empire by 1500.

1. Do Now:
 Find your note sheet on the back table
 Answer the first question on the note sheet

2. Introduction
 The kingdom of Mali emerged as a
dominant power in the Western Sudan
after the fall of Ghana. Mali took control
of the salt and gold trades from 1240 to
1500.

3. The Fall of Ghana
 After the Almoravids fell from power in
1087 competing clans fought for control
of the gold and salt trade. The region
was so unstable eastern caravans
avoided Koumbi Saleh, which pushed
Ghana to ruin.

4. Sumanguru
 Sumanguru became king of Ghana shortly after the
Almoravids fell. He declared himself emperor of all
Ghana.
 Presided over a reign of terror. He levied high taxes,
ordered his opponents killed, and brutally enslaved the
women he captured.
 He did not protect trade routes or enforce any laws

5. The Empire of Mali
 Sundiata led the
Mandinka people
against the emperor
Sumanguru in 1235
in the Battle of Kirina
 Empire of Mali
formed in 1240—
southern area of
Ghana’s empire
 Sundiata became
Mansa or King

6. Mali Builds
on Ghana’s



an Empire
Foundation
Sundiata—great chief of
Malinke people; frst Mali leader
- his powerful army captured
Ghana capital; he extended
empire
- reestablished gold-salt trade;
expanded trade route
- supported development of
crops, cotton farming, weaving
trade
Like Ghana kings, Sundiata
balanced Islam with traditional
religion
Sundiata was popular; still
considered a hero by Africans
today

7. Mansa Munsa Expands
the Empire
• Mansa Musa takes power in
1307—devout Muslim, Mali’s
most famous king
- allowed subjects to practice
other religions
 Musa’s elaborate pilgrimage
to Mecca in 1324 was
legendary
- caravan attracted many
merchants to Mali; gold trade
boomed
- gold trade with Europe
helped support European
Renaissance

8. Timbuktu
 Musa returned to Mali with an
architect, Arab scholar
 Timbuktu became
international hub of
scholarship, art, architecture
- Musa’s architect designed
Sankore mosque built in
Timbuktu
- city attracted poets, artists
from Africa, Asia
 Musa continued to expand
empire until his death, in 1332

9. T he Decline of
Mali
Essential Question:
How did weak rulers lead to Mali’s
Decline?

10. Internal Problems
 Battle for rule after Musa
weakened empire;
Timbuktu raided, burned
 Songhai—rebels in east
Mali empire, near bend
of Niger River
- In 1365, recaptured the
city Gao from Mali;
declared independence

11. External Problems
 North African Berbers
seized Mali lands,
captured Timbuktu in
1433
 Bandits in south raided
trade caravans, military
outposts
 By 1500, Mali Empire
reduced to original
Mandinke people area

12. Review Question
What internal problems led to the
decline of Mali’s Empire?