Unit: West African Civilizations
Lesson Title: The Empire of Mali
(See textbook pages 136 –141)
The Empire of Mali
The Empire of Mali lasted from 1235 to 1500 AD.
The empire included the
former Ghana Empire
and other land along
the Niger River.
Its greatest city
was Timbuktu.
Why do you think the empire followed the Niger?
The Mali Empire arose for the same reasons the
Ghana Empire arose:
The Mali Empire had strong rulers who controlled the
trade in West Africa (gold, salt, and other goods).
The Mali rulers used the wealth from trade to create
strong armies.
The Great Rulers of the Mali Empire:
Sundiata and Mansa Musa
Sundiata, the “Lion of Princes”
According to legend, Sundiata was a great warrior and
magician who conquered Ghana and turned Mali
into an empire.
Why would we depend upon legends to learn the
history of a place and people?
Are legends good sources of information?
Do we Americans have legends?
Sundiata, the “Lion of Princes”
Sundiata took over control of the salt and gold trade.
Sundiata also improved agriculture in West Africa
and made conquered soldiers work in the fields. He
introduced cotton, which made people more
comfortable in the hot climate and brought more
wealth.
Mansa Musa—the Empire of Mali’s greatest ruler
Mansa Musa raised Mali to its greatest power as an
empire.
In earlier times the religion of the people of Mali
focused on the spirits of ancestors. Mansa Musa
helped spread Islam in Mali and West Africa. Mali
today is mostly Muslim.
In class reading activity
Read “Mansa Musa” on page 138.
Answer these questions:
1. Why did Mansa Musa travel to Mecca in 1324?
2. What impact did the trip to Mecca have on Mali?
3. How did Mansa Musa and Islam help develop
the culture of Mali?
Mansa Musa—the Empire of Mali’s greatest ruler
Mansa Musa’s trip to Mecca (hajj) brought the Empire
of Mali to the attention of people in many places in
the world.
Right Side Notebook Activity
Read the Biography of Mansa Musa on page 141.
Write a eulogy for Mansa Musa’s funeral. Write 2
paragraphs. The eulogy should:
1. Explain who Mansa Musa was, and when and where
he lived.
2. Include 3 important things he did in his life (also use
your notes and page 138).
3. Give one reason why he was important to the history
of West Africa.
Also draw a tombstone with an epitaph.