Mali Empire - History

Mali Empireeee

Where was the Mali Empire located?

The Mali Empire was in West Africa including modern Mali Senegal The Gambia Burkina Faso and northern Ghana.

What key geographical features surrounded Mali?

The Atlantic Ocean the Sahara Desert and the River Niger.

Who founded the Mali Empire and when?

Sunjata Keita founded it around 1240.

What nickname was Sunjata Keita given?

He was called the Lion King.

When did the Mali Empire reach its peak?

Under Mansa Musa from 1312 to 1337.

Why was Mansa Musa famous?

He was known as the richest man who ever lived and took a lavish pilgrimage to Mecca in 1324.

What made Mali extremely wealthy?

Access to two major goldfields and control of trans Saharan trade routes.

How did the Sahara Desert help Mali?

It acted as a natural barrier making invasion difficult.

What is the Sahel and why was it important?

It is the region between desert and savanna with fertile land for farming and grazing.

Why did trade increase under Sunjata Keita?

He united Mande chiefdoms creating stability and larger trade networks.

What goods did Mali trade?

Gold salt copper ivory cereals fish and slaves.

How was Mali connected to the wider world?

Through trans Saharan routes linking to North Africa and the Silk Roads.

What were oases and why were they important?

They were water stops across the Sahara that made long distance trade possible.

Why was Mali powerful militarily?

Sunjata Keita united the chiefdom armies into one strong force.