Mali and Songhai

Mali •  In 1235, King Sundiata of

Mali conquered Ghana and built an even larger empire.

•  Sundiata improved farming and restored the region's gold and salt trade.

•  Mali’s control of the gold-salt trade made it the most powerful kingdom in Africa.

•  Mali’s leaders accepted Islam and under their � rule, the Muslim faith became even more� influential in West Africa.

•  Mali's greatest ruler, Mansa Musa, expanded trade, encouraged Islam, and enlarged the empire.

•  Under Mansa Musa, rich trading cities such as � Timbuktu and Niani became centers of culture� and learning.

•  In 1324, Mansa Musa made a famous pilgrimage to Mecca which brought news of Mali’s great wealth to the Middle East and Europe.

Islam in Africa

Songhai

•  Mali gradually weakened from invasions by the Berbers from the north and the Songhai from the south.

•  A Songhai prince named Sunni Ali rebelled against the rulers of Mali and started a new dynasty.

•  Songhai rulers founded many Islamic� learning centers throughout West Africa.

•  Under Muslim kings, Songhai became the greatest trade empire of West Africa by the late 1500s.

•  Morocco's military campaign to capture the salt and gold mines also contributed to Songhai's collapse.

•  Ultimately, Songhai was defeated by Moroccan Muslims and Spaniards who had guns.

•  Eventually, Songhai was weakened by� the local people's resentment of the� Muslim ruling class.

African Trading Empires