The Empires of Mali and Songhai

The Empires of Mali and Songhai

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 roots.

Established Timbuktu Location - Niger River Important for Islam Supported growing of food crops and cotton. Mixed traditional beliefs with Islam. Mali continued: Sundiata

Map of Mali

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

Mansa Musa • Pilgrimage • As a Muslim, Mansa Musa made the Hajj. He arrived in Mecca and brought with him: • 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. • In 1325, Mali captured Songhai city of Gao. • 40 years later, Gao was independent of Mali • B.External problems • Beber 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. • Divided empire into provinces. • Put a governor in charge of each province. • 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, traditional beliefs were still mixed with Islam.

Example of mixing beliefs..

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 • Even with the fall of the Empire, those Africans who live in kinship groups will live much the same as they had before or during the empire.

Gallery Walk • With a partner, walk around the room and answer these questions by looking at the placards up on the wall.

The Empires of Mali and Songhai