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Early African Civilizations
Section 3
MAIN IDEAS
1. The empire of Mali reached its height under the ruler Mansa Musa, but the
empire fell to invaders in the 1400s.
2. The Songhai built a new Islamic empire in West Africa, conquering many of
the lands that were once part of Mali.
3. Great Zimbabwe was a powerful state that developed in southern Africa.
Key Terms and People
ruler that led the Mali Empire’s rise to power
Mansa Musa Muslim king who ruled the Mali Empire at the height of its power and
spread Islam through a large part of Africa
Sunni Ali first leader of Songhai, the last of the great West African empires
Askia the Great Muslim ruler who led Songhai to the height of its power
Sundiata
Section Summary
MALI
Like Ghana, Mali (MAH-lee) lays along the upper
Niger River. Mali’s location on the Niger River
allowed its people to control trade on the river.
Mali’s rise to power began under a ruler named
Sundiata (soohn-JAHT-ah).
A cruel ruler conquered Mali when Sundiata was
a boy. When Sundiata grew older, he raised an army
and won Mali’s independence. Sundiata conquered
nearby kingdoms, including Ghana, and took over
the salt and gold trades. He also took over religious
and political authority held by local leaders.
Mali’s greatest and most famous ruler was a
Muslim named Mansa Musa (MAHN-sah moo-SAH).
Under his leadership, Mali reached its peak. Musa
ruled Mali for about 25 years and captured many
important trading cities. He also made the Islamic
world aware of Mali on his pilgrimage to Mecca.
Mansa Musa stressed the importance of learning
Arabic in order to read the Qur´an. He spread Islam
through West Africa by building mosques in cities.
What river flowed through both
Ghana and Mali?
Name three important things
Mansa Musa did as leader of Mali.
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Section 3, continued
After Mansa Musa died, invaders destroyed the
schools and mosques of Timbuktu. Rebel groups
seized the city. By 1500 nearly all of the lands the
empire had once ruled were lost.
SONGHAI
As Mali declined, a people called the Songhai
(SAHNG-hy) grew in strength. In the 1300s, the
Songhai lands lay within the empire of Mali. As
Mali weakened, the Songhai broke free. Songhai
leader Sunni Ali (SOOH-nee ah-LEE) strengthened
and enlarged the Songhai empire.
After Sunni Ali died, his son Sunni Baru became
ruler. He was not Muslim. But most of the people of
the empire’s towns were Muslim. They feared that if
Sunni Baru did not support Islam they would lose
trade and power, so they rebelled. After overthrowing
Sunni Baru, the leader of that rebellion became
known as Askia the Great.
Muslim culture and education thrived during
Askia’s reign. Timbuktu’s universities, schools,
libraries, and mosques attracted thousands.
Morocco invaded Songhai and destroyed Gao
and Timbuktu. Songhai never recovered and trade
declined. Other trade centers north and south of the
old empire became more important. The period of
great West African empires came to an end.
Why was Sunni Baru overthrown?
Do research on the Internet or in
a library and find the population
of Timbuktu today. Write that
figure here:
GREAT ZIMBABWE
In southern Africa, a great kingdom arose in the
late 1000s called Great Zimbabwe. Farming, gold
mining, and trading made the rulers wealthy and
powerful. But in the 1400s, the gold trade declined,
and by 1500, Great Zimbabwe was no longer a
political and trading center.
CHALLENGE ACTIVITY
Critical Thinking: Drawing Inferences You are reporter who does not
know much about Africa. One day, the ruler of Mali or Songhai comes
through your city. Write an article about this person.
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