The Kingdom of Mali was founded in the 13th century by Sundiata, who united the Mandinka people and conquered the Ghana Empire, establishing a centralized state that stretched across West Africa and included major cities like Timbuktu. In 1312, Mansa Musa came to power and expanded Mali's territory and influence while promoting religious tolerance; during his pilgrimage to Mecca in 1324, his immense wealth and spending power had significant economic and diplomatic impacts across the Muslim world. Mansa Musa's rule marked the peak of Mali's power and wealth, though internal disputes later led to its decline in the 15th century

1. MANSA MUSA &
THE KINGDOM OF
MALI
Social Studies for 10th
Teacher: Mauricio Torres

2. The Kingdom of Mali
 In the upper Niger river, there was
a nation called the Mandinka.
 They had suffered defeat in a war.
 The king and his family were
slaughtered, except for one of his
sons, who was considered too
weak and sickly to pose a threat.
 By 1235, he had crushed his
enemies, he was in control of the
gold trade routes and founded the
Kingdom of Mali.
 His name was Sundiata

3. Sundiata’s Achievements
 He conquered the
decaying Empire of
Ghana.
 He improved
agriculture and
introduced cotton.
 He took power away
from local leaders, in
order to centralize it.

4. Mali
 Mali is an Arab version of the Mandinka word.
 Their kings were called Mansas.
 They stretched their dominions to the south.
 Cities like Timbuktu boomed into civilized centers.

5. The Greatest King
 In the year 1312, the greatest ruler of the
kingdom, came to the throne.
 His name was…

6. MANSA MUSA

7. MANSA MUSA
• He expanded Mali’s borders:
• To the north and towards
the Atlantic
• He made sure that peace was
kept within his kingdom.
• He converted to Islam and
adopted the Muslim justice
system.
• But, he promoted
religious tolerance and
did not impose his
religion on his subjects.

8. Mansa Musas’ Travels

9. Mansa Musas’ Travels
 His entourage:
 12000 servants for the King.
 500 for his wife.
 14000 slaves carrying fine silk clothes and the
luggage.
 500 carrying golden staffs
 His fortune spent is estimated to be 100 million
USD if he had done the trip today.
 For the only time in history, one man controlled
the price of gold.

10. The Hajj
 In 1324 he made the
hajj, or pilgrimage to
the Mecca.
 He showed his
devotion towards his
religion.
 On the way he made
a few diplomatic and
economic ties with
other Muslim states.

11. Buildings for life
 Afterwards, he brought back with him many different
scholars, architects and teachers who helped promote
Islamic education.
 He built a university in Timbuktu, which still exists
today!

12. Decline of Mali
 In the
1400s, internal
disputes weakened
Mali.
 Subject nations
broke away, and
little by little, it all
collapsed.
 The power vacuum
was filled by
Songhai

13. Homework: Being a Herald
 You are travelling with Mansa Musa on your
way to Mecca.
 You are his herald, and it is your job to
announce him every time you arrive to a
new city.
 Write a paragraph describing you king to
your hosts in order to announce his coming.
 Remember:
 His kindness.
 His wealth.
 His devotion to his religion.
 His abilities as a leader.
 Etc.
 Be eloquent!

14. Ask Yourself
 Identify: After conquering neighboring
kingdoms, what did Sundiata focus on?
 Infer: Why do you think Mansa Musa traveled
in such an opulent manner?
 Analyze: What kind of leader was Mansa
Musa?

15. Bibliography
 Ellis, E. G., & Esler, A. (2009). World History.
(P. Hall, Ed.) Upper Saddle River, New
Jersey, US: Pearson Education INC.
 Burstein, S. M., & Shek, R. (2012). World
History (Teacher´s Edition) (1st Edition ed.).
(H. McDougal, Ed.) Orlando, Florida, US.:
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing
Company.
 Images taken from Google.