History ( The Mali Empire and Timbuktu)

Trade across the Sahara Desert:

During the medieval period, the Sahara Desert was a crucial trade route connecting the Mediterranean world, Europe, and West Africa. Camels and caravans were vital for transporting goods, with camels, known as "ships of the desert," being particularly well-suited to the harsh desert conditions. The Mali Empire, a significant center of wealth and power in West Africa, greatly benefited from trans-Saharan trade with North Africa, particularly the Mediterranean region.

The Sahara Desert as a trade route

• The Sahara Desert was a vital trade route during the medieval period

• It linked the Mediterranean world, Europe, and West Africa

Role of camels and caravans

• Camels and caravans, known as "ships of the desert," were essential for carrying goods across the desert

• They were perfect for crossing the Sahara's harsh conditions

Trade routes and regions

• These trade routes connected North Africa, particularly the region around the Mediterranean, with West Africa, notably the Mali Empire

The Mali Empire and trans-Saharan trade

• The Mali Empire, at its heights in the 14th century, was a major center of wealth and power in West Africa

• Its prosperity was greatly influenced by trans-Saharan trade

Key trade goods:

The trans-Saharan trade in the Middle Ages involved key commodities such as salt from the Mediterranean and North Africa, gold from the Mali Empire, slaves from southern regions, ivory from elephants, and ostrich feathers, primarily for decorative use. 2. Timbuktu, located in Mali on the edge of the Sahara, emerged as a major trading hub, attracting North African and European merchants exchanging goods and ideas. 3. This trade facilitated cultural, economic, and technological exchanges between North Africa and sub-Saharan Africa, contributing to Mali's wealth but also involving slave exploitation and potential resource conflicts.

Major Commodities

• Salt: brought from the Mediterranean and North Africa, it was essential for food preservation and health

• Gold: sourced from Mali, it was one of the richest sources of gold in the medieval world

• Slaves: unfortunate part of the trade, with captives from the Southern regions being taken North

• Ivory: sourced from elephants, it was used for intricate carvings and ornaments

• Ostrich Feathers: prized for decorative qualities, particularly in the Middle East and Europe

Impact of the trade

• Timbuktu became a major trading hub and centre of cultural exchange

• Encouraged cultural, economic, and technological growth

• Transformed Mali into one of the richest kingdoms in Africa

• Brought new ideas, technologies, and religious beliefs

• Had negative aspects like slavery and potential resource conflicts

Camels (1-6):

Camels are uniquely adapted for desert travel due to their ability to store water and fat, efficiently use water, and protect themselves from harsh temperatures and terrain. They can quickly rehydrate by drinking large quantities of water and tolerate dehydration through water conservation methods. Their fat storage in humps provides energy and water, while their tough feet withstand varied surfaces. A specialized circulatory system and thick fur help regulate body temperature and reduce water loss.

Camel adaptations for desert life

• Water storage: Camels can drink large quantities of water quickly and tolerate dehydration

• Efficient use of water: Camels produce concentrated urine and reabsorb water in their kidneys

• Fat storage: Camels have energy-storing humps that also produce water

• Tough feet: Camels have broad, padded feet for long-distance travel on varied surfaces

• Heat dissipation: Camels have an efficient circulatory system for temperature regulation

• Dense fur: Camels have a thick coat that protects from sunlight, insulates from cold, and reduces water loss

These adaptations make camels ideal for transporting goods across the desert.

Camels (7-13):

Camels have a specialized digestive system to extract nutrients from tough desert vegetation, making them adaptable to various food sources. They also possess physical traits such as a strong skeletal structure, long eyelashes, thick eyelids, horizontal pupils, and large nasal openings that aid in protecting them from harsh desert conditions and regulating their body temperature.

Specialised digestive system

• Camels have a specialized digestive system that allows them to extract nutrients from tough, thorny vegetation

• They can eat a variety of plants that might be available in the desert, making them adaptable to different food sources

Strong Skeletal Structure

• Camels have a long, flexible spine which enables them to carry heavy loads without experiencing excessive stress on their back

• The knee joints of camels are designed to lock into place, allowing them to stand comfortably for extended periods without expending too much energy

Unique Eye Features

• Camels have long, slender eyelashes which act as a barrier to protect their eyes from the blowing sand and dust commonly found in the desert environments

• Camels have thick double-layered eyelids that provide protection against harsh sunlight and blowing sand

• Camels have horizontal, slit-shaped pupils that can be partially closed to help them cope with the intense brightness of the desert environment

• Camels have well-developed tear glands that produce a thick, viscous fluid. This fluid helps prevent their eyes drying out in the arid conditions and act as a further defense against irritants

Nose Adaptations

• Camels have large nasal openings allowing efficient cooling. This adaptation helps them regulate their body temperature in the extreme heat if the desert

The Spread of Islam Across Africa:

Islam, introduced through traders in the 7th century, spread across Africa, reaching West African savannah by the 9th century. This spread significantly influenced West African societies, including governance, education, and architecture. In Mali, Islam shaped the development of universities, libraries, and institutions of higher learning, with Mansa Musa promoting the religion by building mosques and supporting scholars. The Great Mosque's Djingareyber, built in the 14th century, remains the oldest mosque in Timbuktu.

Spread of Islam across Africa

• Islam began spreading across North Africa after the 7th century

• It reached the West African savannah by the 9th century, largely due to the influence of traders traveling along the trans-Saharan trade routes

• Many people in Mali converted to Islam

Cultural and religious influence

• The spread of Islam had a profound effect on West African societies, influencing everything from governance to education and architecture

• Islam introduced new religious texts, legal systems, and educational traditions

• In Mali, Islam helped shape the development of universities, libraries, and institutions of higher learning

Impact on Culture and governance

• Islam played a vital role in shaping the governance, culture, and legal systems of Mali

• Mansa Musa, the most famous ruler of Mali, promoted Islam by building mosques and supporting scholars who studied the Quran and Islamic law

• Mali became a significant culture and intellectual hub, with Islam influencing everything from architecture to governance

• Djingareyber of the Great Mosque was built in the early 14th century and is the oldest mosque in Timbuktu.

The Kingdom of Mali at its Height:

The Mali Empire, from 1235 to 1670, reached its height under Mansa Musa (1312-1337). Musa's reign was marked by wealth from gold mines and trade, encouraging agriculture, mining, and trade, maintaining a strong army, and reorganizing the government. His famous pilgrimage to Mecca in 1324 showcased his wealth, building mosques and giving lavish gifts, enhancing Mali's reputation in the Islamic world.

The Empire of Mali under Mansa Musa

• The Empire of Mali was in Western Africa from around 1235 to 1670

• Mansa Musa ruled from 1312 to 1337 and transformed Mali into one of the wealthiest and most powerful empires in Africa

• His leadership is known as Mali's Golden Age

Achievements of Mansa Musa

• Encouraged the people to grow cotton, beans, rice and onions

• Encouraged the mining of gold

• Started the trading of kola nuts

• Ensured Mali had a strong army to protect and expand the empire

• Changed the way Mali was governed by dividing his empire into provinces and appointing governors to rule each one

• Made sure that he had friendly relationships with the neighbouring African states and rulers

Pilgrimage to Mecca

• In 1324, Mansa Musa set off across the desert on a pilgrimage to Mecca

• He travelled with a group of around 60,000 soldiers, official, merchants, servants and enslaved people

• He gave gold to the poor villages he came across on his journey

• He stopped every Friday and paid for a new mosque to be built wherever he had stopped

• His lavish spending and gifts during his journey through Egypt and the Arabian Peninsula drew the attention of the wider Islamic world, cementing Mali’s reputation as a wealthy and powerful kingdom.

Mansa Musa of Mali undertook a pilgrimage to Mecca in 1324, bringing back scholars, architects, and books, which helped make his empire a centre of learning. He commissioned the Great Mosque of Timbuktu, a symbol of Mali's commitment to Islam and cultural development, which was built in 1327. Following Musa reign, the Mali Empire began to decline, losing control of its borders and being overtaken by the Songhai Empire in the 1500s, ultimately collapsing in 1670.

Mansa Musa's Hajj Pilgrimage

• Mansa Musa hired scholars and architects during his Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca

• He gathered a large collection of books to take back to Mali

• These actions helped make Mali, especially Timbuktu, a center of learning

The Great Mosque of Timbuktu

• Construction began in 1327 when Mansa Musa returned from Mecca

• Designed with two minarets and made from locally sourced materials

• A symbol of Mali's commitment to Islam and cultural development

• An example of Sudano-Sahelian architecture

Mansa Musa's Lasting Legacy

• Mali prospered economically and became an important cultural and intellectual center

• Timbuktu became one of the most renowned cities in the Islamic world

The Fall of the Kingdom of Mali

• The Mali Empire began to weaken in the 1400s

• The nearby Songhai Empire rose to power in the 1500s

• The last Mansa in Mali, Mansa Mahmud Keita IV, died in 1610

• Mansa's three sons fought over the kingdom's remains until the empire finally collapsed in 1670.

Leo Africanus:

Leo Africanus, born in Spain, traveled to Fez and studied at its university. He made trips to Timbuktu, journeying through the Sahara Desert, and wrote "Description of Africa" (1550), revealing West Africa's large cities, cultures, and societies to Europe. Although valuable, his account's reliability is not guaranteed as it's one of the few sources from that era.

Background of Leo Africanus

• Born in Spain in 1483

• Moved with his family to Fez in Morocco on the North African coast

• Studied at the university in Fez and practiced the religion of Islam

Travels of Leo Africanus

• Became an adventurous traveler

• Made two visits from Fez to Timbuktu

• Traveled on the trade route in a camel caravan through the Sahara Desert

Leo Africanus's book

• Wrote a book about his travels called Description of Africa (1550)

• The book was read by many people in Europe

• Helped Europeans learn about West Africa and its people

Timbuktu during Leo Africanus's time

• At the time he visited Timbuktu, it was a thriving Islamic city famous for its learning

• He wrote about the large cities and empires, complex cultures and societies in West Africa

Importance of Leo Africanus's book

• The book is one of the very few written sources that we have from that time

• Even though he was an eyewitness, and his book is very useful for historians, it does not mean that his account is always reliable

Europeans' perception of Africa

• At the time, Europeans called Africa the ‘dark continent’ because they knew very little about it

Timbuktu- The Heart of Trade:

Timbuktu, located at the crossroads of trans-Saharan trade routes, was a thriving commercial hub where goods from the Mediterranean and North Africa were exchanged for gold and other valuable commodities from Mali. The city's prosperity was mainly due to its gold trade, with salt, ivory, and slaves being traded for this precious resource. Additionally, Timbuktu's economy was further enriched by the import of luxury goods, textiles, and ceramics from North Africa and the Mediterranean.

Timbuktu - The Heart of Trade

• Timbuktu was an important commercial hub due to its location at the crossroads of the trans-Saharan caravan routes

• Goods from the Mediterranean and North Africa were exchanged for gold and other valuable commodities from Mali

• Timbuktu was a popular trading center for the whole region

Mali's gold and Timbuktu's wealth

• Until the discoveries of the Americas, Mali was the main producer of gold in the world

• Timbuktu became a major trading post for gold, which was abundant in Mali

• The city's wealth was built on this precious resource

Imported goods and their value

• Imported goods like textiles, ceramics, and luxury items came from North Africa and the Mediterranean

• These goods further enriched Timbuktu’s economy

Strategic location and trade goods

• Salt was essential for preserving food and maintaining health, and it was brought from North Africa and traded for gold, ivory, and slaves

• Gold was abundant in Mali and was traded for salt, ivory, and slaves

Trade routes

• Imported goods were shipped across the Mediterranean Sea to the ports in Morocco, then on camelback to Timbuktu

• Salt was taken from the mines in Taghaza back to Europe

Timbuktu as a Centre of Learning:

Timbuktu was a significant center of learning during the medieval period, renowned for its advancements in various fields such as Islamic theology, mathematics, astronomy, medicine, and science. The city's wealth, generated through trade, was used to establish 180 schools, three universities, and numerous mosques, with Sankore University being the most notable. Sankore University, founded by a wealthy Muslim woman, attracted scholars from around the world and became a hub for the production of books and other related products. Scholars at Timbuktu made substantial contributions to subjects like mathematics, astronomy, optics, medicine, history, and geography.

Timbuktu as a center of learning

• Timbuktu was a world-renowned center of learning where scholars gathered to study Islamic theology, mathematics, astronomy, medicine, and other scientific fields

• The city had libraries filled with manuscripts on a wide range of subjects, making it one of the world’s most advanced cities in the world at the time

• The wealth Mansa Musa created from trade was used to build 180 schools, three universities and many mosques all teaching the Quran

Sankore University

• Sankore University in Timbuktu was the first university in the world

• It was named after a very wealthy Muslim woman who wanted to do good deeds for other people

• The university could accommodate about 25,000 students and attracted scholars from around the world

Manufacture of books and other products

• The manufacture of books and other products used for books became an important business with many people writing and copying books, making ink, making paper, and illustrating and binding books

Subjects of study

• Scholars in Timbuktu studied the stars, created mathematical calculations and made advancements in optics and medicine

• They also explored history and geography, creating detailed maps and records of the world

The Timbuktu Manuscripts:

The Timbuktu Manuscripts, ancient texts from the Kingdom of Mali, offer insights into the city's intellectual and cultural life across subjects like mathematics, law, medicine, and history.

After Mansa Musa's death in the 14th century, the Mali Empire's Golden Age ended with Morocco's invasion, leading to the loss of Timbuktu Manuscripts. The manuscripts, which were valuable for understanding Mali's history and contributing to global knowledge, were burned to steal in the Northern Mali conflict between 2012 and 2013. The Timbuktu Manuscripts Project aims to preserve these precious texts, which are housed in libraries and private collections. The South Africa-Mali scrolls project, started in 2003, aims to collect, conserve, and catalogue the documents, build a special library, train researchers and librarians, and make digital copies for future generations.

Timbuktu as a World Heritage Site:

To guarantee the preservation of its architecture, culture, and history, Timbuktu was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1988 in honour of its historical and cultural significance. This designation recognizes the city's function as a hub for learning, culture, and trade. Preservation efforts: Timbuktu's historical sites are still being preserved in spite of obstacles like political unrest and environmental deterioration. The city's World Heritage Status includes protection for its mosques, colleges, and libraries.

The Legacy of Mali and Timbuktu:

In the areas of commerce, culture, and education, the Kingdom of Mali and its capital, Timbuktu, have left a lasting legacy. Timbuktu was turned into a center of intellectual activity by Mali's wealth, which was fueled by the trade in salt and gold, as well as its dedication to education and Islamic scholarships. The world benefits greatly from the contributions of the Kingdom of Mali and its capital, Timbuktu. West Africa and the Islamic world were shaped in part by the kingdom's wealth from gold and its function as a hub of culture and thought. Timbuktu is still a representation of Africa's rich cultural and intellectual legacy today. Timbuktu's history is preserved as a World Heritage Site, guaranteeing that future generations will continue to gain knowledge from its extraordinary past.

Key Terms:

Sahara desert:

A vast desert in North Africa, serving as a geographical barrier and a challenging terrain for trans-Saharan trade.

Trans-Saharan trade:

The exchange of goods and commodities across the Sahara Desert between North Africa and West Africa, facilitated by trade routes.

Trade Routes:

Established paths or channels used to transport goods between regions

Mali Empire:

A powerful West African empire known for its wealth, especially in gold, and its participation in trans-Saharan trade.

Timbuktu:

A prominent city in Mali, serving as a major trade and cultural centre during the trans-Saharan trade period.

Djenne:

An ancient city in Mali, known for its significance in trade, commerce and intellectual development.

Hub:

A centre or focus of activity, such as a major trading hub where goods and people converge.

Caravans:

Group of travellers, especially merchants or pilgrims, journeying through together for safety and companionship through difficult or hostile terrain.

Economic Prosperity:

The state of being successful and thriving economically, often associated with regions participating in lucrative trade.

Commodity:

A raw material or primary agriculture product that can be bought and sold, such as salt, gold, or ivory.

Adornments:

Decorative items or ornaments used to enhance the appearance of something, such as carvings, jewellery, or feathers.

Salt:

A valuable commodity traded in the trans-Saharan routes; essential for food preservation and health.

Gold:

A precious metal abundant in West Africa, particularly in Mali, and highly sought after in the trans-Saharan trade.

Ivory:

Hard, off white\ cream material from elephant tusks traded for carvings and ornaments.

Ostrich Feathers:

Feathers from ostriches, traded for decorative purposes, often used in fashion and ornamentation.

Slaves:

Individuals traded as commodities, often captured in West Africa and sold in North Africa and Europe.

Cultural Exchange:

The sharing and blending of cultural elements between different regions as a result of trade and interaction.

Decline:

The diminishing or weakening of the trans- Saharan trade routes, leading to changes in the economic and cultural dynamics.

Cultural flourishing:

The period during which cities like Timbuktu and Djenne experienced growth and development in cultural and intellectual activities.