The Empires of Mali and Songhai

12/6/10

I. Mali Builds on Ghana’s Foundation

A. Sundiata- chief of the Malinke people.

• Establishes Mali and pushes its borders through Ghana and beyond.

• Opens up gold for salt trade and expands trade routes.

• Established Timbuktu– Location– Important for Islam

• Supported growing of food crops and cotton.

• Mixed traditional beliefs with Islam.• The Lion King

I. Mali Builds on Ghana’s Foundation (continued)

B. Rise of Mansa Musa• 1307- Mali’s most famous ruler

comes to power, Mansa Musa.• Was Muslim, but allowed his

followers to practice their own religions.

• Name means King Moses.• Pilgrimage

– 12,000 slaves, 80 camels, 300 pounds of gold.

– In front of him on the pilgrimage, he had 500 slaves dressed in silk, carrying gold staffs.

II. Decline of Mali

A. Internal Problems• When Mansa Musa died,

family argued over who was next in line.

• Newly conquered regions began to rebel.

• In East, Songhai people gained strength.

• Songhai city of Gao is conquered by Mali and independent of Mali in a span of 40 years!

B. External problems

• Berber nomads came from the North and Eventually captured Timbuktu.

•In the south, bandits raid caravans and military outposts.

•By 1500, Mali had been pushed back into it’s original borders, no longer a strong empire.

III. The Empire of Songhai

A. Songhai expands• Berbers controlled the city of

Timbuktu since 1433.• In 1468, Muslim leaders asked

the Songhai king, Sunni Ali, to overthrow the Berbers.

• Ali does, killing many people and taking control of Timbuktu.

• Gets a reputation as a powerful king who rules harshly.

• Conquered neighboring land like Djenne, after 7 year siege.

III. The Empire of Songhai (continued)

B. Askia Muhammad• Empire expanded greatly

under Sunni Ali’s rule.• When he died in 1492, his son

was declared ruler.• Askia Muhammad wanted to

seize the crown though.• Felt that Sunni Ali did not

practice Islam the right way.• A year later, Askia defeated

Sunni Ali’s son and become ruler.

III. The Empire of Songhai (continued)

C. Askia’s Organization• Greatest achievement was

organizing the government.– Provinces– Governors

• Had directors of finance, agriculture, army, and navy.

• Set up a system of organized tax collection.

• Spread Islam throughout the empire using scholars.

• In rural areas, mostly Tradislam

III. The Empire of Songhai (continued)

D. Songhai Falls• Askia Muhammad’s son would

eventually remove his father from the throne.

• He was followed by a series of weak rulers.

• 1580’s- Moroccans take over the salt mines.

• 1591- Moroccans take over Timbuktu and Gao.

• Empire collapsed• Lives of kinship groups usually

stay the same no matter who is in charge.