Mali Empire
The Mali empire existed in West Africa from the 13th to 16th centuries. The empire was founded by Sundiata Keita and was known for the immense wealth of its rulers. It was the largest empire in West Africa and continues to have an influence on West African culture today.
The height of the Mali Empire was around 1350, when it was a confederation of three states and 12 provinces. The emperor (or mansa as he was called) was the ruler of over 400 cities, towns, and villages of a range of ethnicities. In total the empire had a population of 20 million and an army that numbered 100,000 men, including 10,000 cavalry. It was the mansa that had the power to dispense justice and tax local and international trade.
The empire of Mali depended on trade for their riches, namely the trade of gold and salt. Mali’s trade focused around three major cities, Timbuktu, Djenne, and Gao. In 1324 the Mali empire became known around the world because of a pilgrimage made by Emperor Musa to Mecca in Arabia. He brought with him thousands of followers and camels laden with gold. The pilgrimage was very publicized, and an accompanying gold trade reached the capitals of Europe and Asia, which put the name of Mali on everyone’s lips.
However, it would be political intrigue that would be the downfall of the empire. There was no rule for orderly succession of the throne and the smaller states decided they wanted to break free so as to stop sending their riches to an emperor. A rebellion in Gao led to the rise of Songhai, which gradually took control of large areas of Mali including the gold and copper mines and the eastern sites for the commercial exchange. While Mali was never completely conquered, by 1545 the empire largely fell out of power and importance.