The Mali Empire
Read this article on the Mali Empire. What enabled its rise to power? And what territory did it control?
Mali Empire
The Mali Empire or Manding Empire, or Manden Kurufa, was a medieval West African state of the Mandinka from c. 1235 to c. 1600. The empire was founded by Sundiata Keita. It became renowned for the wealth of its rulers, especially Mansa Musa I. The Mali Empire had many profound cultural influences on West Africa, allowing the spread of its language, laws and customs along the Niger River. It has been described as "the most potent empire of Old Africa."[1]
The kingdom included the ancient city of Timbuktu, which was a flourishing center of Islamic learning. In the early 19th century, Timbuktu became the destination of several European expeditions spurred on by its reputation for prosperity. Indeed, the Mali Empire combined traditional African and Islamic cultures in what has been called a "remarkable synthesis."
When Musa I made the pilgrimage (hajj) at Mecca, he traveled "with an entourage of 60,000 people, 80 camels carrying over two tons of gold for distribution to the poor and the pious." There is evidence that Abubakari II may have launched successful cross-Atlantic expeditions in (1305-1312 C.E.) before Christopher Columbus sailed in 1492.[2]
The Mali Empire was a sophisticated polity with well-organized military and administrative systems and a Great Assembly of clan leaders and delegates to advise the Emperor in its governance. While Europeans would soon begin to depict Africa as backward, wild, and disorganized in need of a supervising, colonial hand, the evidence is that as European contact with Africa began in the 15th century, the difference between Africa and Europe in terms of governance and technology was minimal with the exception that Europeans had guns and gunpowder. The Mali Empire can be regarded as a constitutional monarchy from before this political system had developed in the European space.[3]
The kingdom included the ancient city of Timbuktu, which was a flourishing center of Islamic learning. In the early 19th century, Timbuktu became the destination of several European expeditions spurred on by its reputation for prosperity. Indeed, the Mali Empire combined traditional African and Islamic cultures in what has been called a "remarkable synthesis."
When Musa I made the pilgrimage (hajj) at Mecca, he traveled "with an entourage of 60,000 people, 80 camels carrying over two tons of gold for distribution to the poor and the pious." There is evidence that Abubakari II may have launched successful cross-Atlantic expeditions in (1305-1312 C.E.) before Christopher Columbus sailed in 1492.[2]
The Mali Empire was a sophisticated polity with well-organized military and administrative systems and a Great Assembly of clan leaders and delegates to advise the Emperor in its governance. While Europeans would soon begin to depict Africa as backward, wild, and disorganized in need of a supervising, colonial hand, the evidence is that as European contact with Africa began in the 15th century, the difference between Africa and Europe in terms of governance and technology was minimal with the exception that Europeans had guns and gunpowder. The Mali Empire can be regarded as a constitutional monarchy from before this political system had developed in the European space.[3]
Source: New World Encyclopedia, https://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Mali_Empire
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