Mali and Songhai

Chapter 5, Lesson 3: The Empires of Mali and Songhai (pp. 118-122)

I. Mali Develops a Prosperous Trade

A. In 1235, King Sundiata of Mali defeated King Sumanguru of Ghana and established his capital at Niani, on the Niger River.
B. Sundiata improved agriculture and restored the region's gold and salt trade, making Mali the most powerful kingdom in Africa.

II. Mansa Musa Enriches the Empire
A. Mali's greatest ruler, Mansa Musa, expanded trade, encouraged Islam, and enlarged the empire.
B. In 1324, Mansa Musa made a famous pilgrimage to Mecca.

C. Under Mansa Musa, rich trading cities such as Timbuktu and Niani became centers of culture and learning.

III. Power Shifts to Songhai

A. Mali gradually weakened and eventually was taken over by neighboring Songhai, a former province of Mali.
B. Under Muslim kings, Songhai became the greatest trade empire of West Africa by the late 1500s.

IV. Songhai Collapses

A. Eventually, Songhai was weakened Songhai by the local people's resentment of the Muslim ruling class.
B. Morocco's military campaign to capture Songhai's salt and gold mines also contributed to Songhai's collapse.