Name
Class
Ancient Civilizations of Africa—
Trading Kingdoms
Date
Primary Source
Emperors of Mali
ABOUT THE READING The Sundiata tells
the story of Mali’s first great emperor. Under
Sundiata, Mali grew into a prosperous empire
that played a key role in the region’s economy.
In 1307 the grandson of one of Sundiata’s
sisters became emperor. During Mansa Musa’s
reign, Mali thrived, and his influence helped
spread Islam through a large part of West Africa.
As you read, consider similarities and
differences between the two descriptions.
From the Sundiata
Some kings are powerful through their military
strength. Everybody trembles before them, but when
they die, nothing but ill is spoken of them. Others
do neither good nor ill, and when they die they are
forgotten. Others are feared because they have power,
but they know how to use it, and they are loved
because they love justice. Sundiata belonged to this
group. He was feared but loved as well. He was the
mother of Mali and gave the world peace. He made
the capital of the empire out of his father’s village,
Niana, and Niana became the navel of the earth. . .
Mali is eternal. To convince yourself of what I
have said, go to Mali.
From The Emperor of Mali by Carol Thompson. Copyright © 1998
by The Rosen Publishing Group, Inc. Reproduced by permission
of Franklin Watts, a division of Grolier Publishing, a division of
Scholastic Library Publishing.
WHAT DID YOU LEARN?
1. In this excerpt from the Sundiata, the emperor Sundiata is called the “mother of
Mali.” Why do you think a male emperor was referred to as a mother? Explain.
Copyright © Holt McDougal. All rights reserved.
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Name
Class
Date
Primary Source
Emperors of Mali, continued
2. The Sundiata was originally told by West African griots whose purpose was both
to inform and to entertain. Should the Sundiata be read as an objective account of
historical facts? Why or why not?
Impressions of Mali under Mansa Musa
The king pardons no one who is guilty. . . There is
complete and general safety throughout the land.
The traveler here has no more reason than the man
who stays at home to fear brigands, thieves, or
ravishers. . . The inhabitants do not confiscate the
goods of any North Africans who may die in their
country, not even when these consist of large treasures. On the contrary, they deposit these goods with
a trustworthy man until those who have the right to
the goods present themselves and take possession.
VOCABULARY
brigands outlaws who
ambush and rob travelers
ravishers outlaws who
seize and carry off
travelers
confiscate take or seize
property (by authority)
Quotes by Ibn Battuta from The Emperor of Mali by Carol
Thompson. Copyright © 1998 by The Rosen Publishing Group, Inc.
Reproduced by permission of Franklin Watts, a division of Grolier
Publishing, a division of Scholastic Library Publishing.
WHAT DID YOU LEARN?
1. What can you infer about Mansa Musa’s leadership from the description?
2. Does Ibn Battuta use figurative language or examples in his account?
MAKE A COMPARISON
1. What characteristics do Sundiata and Mansa Musa seem to have in common?
2. How do the accounts differ in the kind of language they use?
Copyright © Holt McDougal. All rights reserved.
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