The Kingdom of Mali and the Mali Empire

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms, concepts, government structures, figures, and geographical items from the Mali Empire reading materials.

Manden Kurufa

The native name for the Mali Empire, meaning 'Manden Federation,' which was a prosperous confederation of Mande-speaking peoples.

Gbara

The assembly of various tribal chiefs that formed the government structure of the Mali Empire and met to delineate rights and responsibilities under its constitution.

Kouroukan Fouga

The oral constitution of the Mali Empire consisting of forty-four edicts divided into social classes, property rights, environmental relations, and personal responsibility.

Mansa

A title meaning 'king of kings,' first proclaimed by Sundiata at the inaugural assembly of chiefs near Kangaba.

Djon-Tan-Nor-Woro

The sixteen clans known as 'carriers of quiver' responsible for defense and regional administration of the tinkurus (provinces) and kafos (counties) in the Mali Empire.

Mori-Kanda-Lolou

The five clans known as 'guardians of the faith' that supervised religious life in the Mali Empire.

Nyamakala

The seven clans in the Mali Empire with jurisdiction over specialty trades, such as tanning, smelting, and oral history.

Twelve Doors of Mali

The territorial outline of the Mali Empire, consisting of lands belonging to twelve kingdoms whose chiefs or kings pledged allegiance to Sundiata.

Farba

A title meaning 'great commander' given to ruling chiefs of provinces, who were responsible for collecting tribute.

Sundiata

The Mandinka chief (d. 1255) who won a series of wars in 1235, conquered the old Ghana Empire in 1240 AD, and proclaimed himself mansa.

Mansa Mūsā

The 10th king of Mali (r. 1307–1337) who doubled the empire's territory, oversaw its golden age, built major structures, and conducted a famous pilgrimage to Mecca in 1324–1325.

Sankore Madrasah

Also known as the University of Sankore, a major center of education in Timbuktu built and equipped with scholars by Mansa Musa.

Hall of Audience

A building constructed by Mansa Musa in Niani adjacent to the Royal Palace, described by Arab writers as an 'admirable monument.'

Seita Clan

The ruling clan of the Mali Empire until 1670 that claimed ancestry back to Bilal ibn Ribah, the muezzin of the prophet Muḥammad.

Sub-Saharan Kingdoms and Caravan Routes

Historical West African civilizations (including Ghana, Mali, and Songhai) interconnected with North African states via trans-Saharan trade networks.

Territory of the Mali Empire

The West African empire bisected by the Niger River, encompassing major urban, trade, and religious centers such as Koumbi Saleh, Jenne, Timbuktu, and Gao.

Catalan Map (1375)

A map drawn by Abraham Cresques for King Charles V depicting Mansa Musa seated on a throne holding a gold nugget and a golden sceptre.