Mahmud Keita, possibly a grandchild or great-grandchild of Mansa Gao Keita, was crowned Mansa Maghan Keita III in 1390. [90][91] His reign is considered the golden age of Mali. He has sometimes been called the wealthiest person in history. It was this pilgrimage that awakened the world to the stupendous wealth of Mali. Around 1610, Mahmud Keita IV died. Inside the world's wealthiest", "Mansa Musa (Musa I of Mali) | National Geographic Society", "The 25 richest people who ever lived inflation adjusted", "Civilization VI the Official Site | News | Civilization VI: Gathering Storm Mansa Musa Leads Mali", International Journal of African Historical Studies, "Searching for History in The Sunjata Epic: The Case of Fakoli", "chos d'Arabie. In the interregnum following Sunjata's death, the jomba or court slaves may have held power. "LEAD: International: The History of Guinea-Bissau", "Four People Who Single-handedly Caused Economic Crises", "Lessons from Timbuktu: What Mali's Manuscripts Teach About Peace | World Policy Institute", "Mossi (12501575 AD) DBA 2.0 Variant Army List", "The history of Africa Peul and Toucouleur", "Africa and Slavery 15001800 by Sanderson Beck", "How the Mali Empire in the 12th century revolved levels of governance", Trade, Transport, Temples, and Tribute: The Economics of Power, "Gold, Islam and Camels: The Transformative Effects of Trade and Ideology", "Power and permanence in precolonial Africa: a case study from the central Sahel", "Recherches sur l'Empire du Mali au Moyen Age", "Expansion and Contraction Patterns of Large Polities: Context for Russia", "East-West Orientation of Historical Empires", Metropolitan Museum Empires of the Western Sudan: Mali Empire, Ibn Battuta: Travels in Asia and Africa 13251354, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Mali_Empire&oldid=1142808910, Identification disputed; possibly no fixed capital, Yantaar or Kel Antasar: Located in the vicinity of the, Tn Ghars or Yantar'ras: Correspond to the modern, This page was last edited on 4 March 2023, at 13:53. The Royal Kingdoms of Ghana, Mali, and Songhay: Life in Medieval Africa By Patricia McKissack, Fredrick McKissack Page 60, "The richest person who ever lived had unimaginable wealth. Mansa Musa began extending the shores of the empire alongside amassing great wealth and riches. [104] He would only reign a year before a descendant of Mansa Gao Keita removed him.[70]. [91] Historians such as Hadrien Collet have argued that Musa's wealth is impossible to accurately calculate. Mansa Musa was a devout Muslim. He was the son of Niani's faama, Nare Fa (also known as Maghan Kon Fatta meaning the handsome prince). Research/Artwork: From Nothing Team. In Ibn Khaldun's account, Sundjata is recorded as Mari Djata with "Mari" meaning "Amir" or "Prince". The ancient kingdom of Mali spread across parts of modern-day Mali, Senegal, the Gambia, Guinea, Niger, Nigeria, Chad, Mauritania, and Burkina Faso. Mansa Musa (Musa I of Mali) was the ruler of the kingdom of Mali from 1312 C.E. Mansa Musa even built the Great Mosque of Djenn, one of the most famous mosques in Mali, to recognize his pilgrimage. Imperial Mali's horsemen also used iron helmet and mail armour for defence[146] as well as shields similar to those of the infantry. However, many believe Mansa Musa's wealth outdoes that of all modern billionaires. Many houses were built by hand and during the hot weather some houses would melt so they had to be very secure, The dating of the original Great Mosque's construction is obscure (the current structure, built under French Colonial Rule, dates from 1907). Rulers of West African states had made pilgrimages to Mecca before Mansa Ms, but the effect of his flamboyant journey was to advertise both Mali and Mansa Ms well beyond the African continent and to stimulate a desire among the Muslim kingdoms of North Africa, and among many of European nations as well, to reach the source of this incredible wealth. [122] Their forces marched as far north as Kangaba, where the mansa was obliged to make a peace with them, promising not to attack downstream of Mali. While spears and bows were the mainstay of the infantry, swords and lances of local or foreign manufacture were the choice weapons of the cavalry. Mansa Ms probably died in 1332. [44] Niani's reputation as an imperial capital may derive from its importance in the late imperial period, when the Songhai Empire to the northeast pushed Mali back to the Manding heartland. CREDITS: Chart/Narration: Matt Baker Research/Artwork: From Nothing Team Editing: Jack Rackam Intro animation: Syawish Rehman Intro music: "Lord of the Land" by Kevin MacLeod and licensed under Creative Commons Attribution license 4.0. Any interactives on this page can only be played while you are visiting our website. [93] Gold mines in Boure, which is located in present-day Guinea, were discovered sometime near the end of the 12th century. Text on this page is printable and can be used according to our Terms of Service. Mansa Musa brought architects and scholars from across the Islamic world into his kingdom, and the reputation of the Mali kingdom grew. [93] In 1514, the Denianke dynasty was established in Tekrour. Kankoro-sigui Mari Djata, who had no relation to the Keita clan, essentially ran the empire in Musa Keita II's stead. [78] Nehemia Levtzion regarded 1337 as the most likely date,[72] which has been accepted by other scholars. Most West African canoes were of single-log construction, carved and dug out from one massive tree trunk.[144]. [71] However, Ibn Khaldun also reports that Musa sent an envoy to congratulate Abu al-Hasan Ali for his conquest of Tlemcen, which took place in May 1337, but by the time Abu al-Hasan sent an envoy in response, Musa had died and Suleyman was on the throne, suggesting Musa died in 1337. [137], Copper was also a valued commodity in imperial Mali. The army of the Mali Empire during the 14th century was divided into northern and southern commands led by the Farim-Soura and Sankar-Zouma, respectively. Still, throne names do not usually indicate blood relations. [71] The tiny kingdom of Niani was one of several in the Kri area of Manden. [124] Following this disastrous set of events, Mansa Mama Maghan abandoned the capital of Niani. After unsuccessful attempts by Mansa Mama Maghan to conquer Bamana, the Bamana in 1670 sacked and burned the capital, and the Mali Empire rapidly disintegrated and ceased to exist, being replaced by independent chiefdoms. In 1307, Mansa Musa came to the throne after a series of civil wars and ruled for thirty years. Nobody lived in the area except the Musafa servants who worked to dig the salts and lived on dates imported from Sijilmasa and the Dar'a valley, camel meat and millet imported from the Sudan. Therefore, Arabic visitors may have assigned the "capital" label merely to whatever major city the mansa was based out of at the time of their visit. Gold dust was used all over the empire, but was not valued equally in all regions. [76] The latter possibility is corroborated by Ibn Khaldun calling Suleyman Musa's son in that passage, suggesting he may have confused Musa's brother Suleyman with Musa's son Maghan. [16], Al-Yafii gave Musa's name as Musa ibn Abi Bakr ibn Abi al-Aswad (Arabic: , romanized:Ms ibn Ab Bakr ibn Ab al-Aswad),[17] and Ibn Hajar gave Musa's name as Musa ibn Abi Bakr Salim al-Takruri. Under his leadership, Mali conquered new territories and trade with North Africa increased. In his attempt to justify the importance of the Keita and their civilisation in early Arabic literatures, Adelabu, the head of Awqaf Africa in London, coined the Arabic derivatives K(a)-W(e)-Y(a) of the word Keita which in (in what he called) Arabicised Mandingo language Allah(u) Ka(w)eia meaning "Allah Creates All" as a favourable motto of reflection for Bilal Ibn Rabah, one of the most trusted and loyal Sahabah (companions) of the Islamic prophet Muhammad, whom he described (quoting William Muir's book The Life of Muhammad) as 'a tall, dark, and with African feature and bushy hair'[64] pious man who overcame slavery, racism and socio-political obstacles in Arabia to achieve a lofty status in this world and in the Hereafter.[65]. [73], Prince Sundjata was prophesied to become a great conqueror. [60] Other scholars whom Musa brought to Mali included Maliki jurists. During Musa's 25-year-rule the Mali Empire more than tripled in size and had significant influence in several modern day countries including Mauritania, Senegal, Nigeria, Burkino Faso and Chad. From 1389 onwards Mali gained a host of mansas of obscure origins. The reign of Mari Djata Keita II was ruinous and left the empire in bad financial shape, but the empire itself passed intact to the dead emperor's brother. Traveling from his capital of Niani on the upper Niger River to Walata (Oualta, Mauritania) and on to Tuat (now in Algeria) before making his way to Cairo, Mansa Ms was accompanied by an impressive caravan consisting of 60,000 men including a personal retinue of 12,000 enslaved persons, all clad in brocade and Persian silk. The empire began as a small Mandinka kingdom at the upper reaches of the Niger River, centered around the Manding region. Mansa Musa (Musa I of Mali) was the king of the ancient empire of Mali in West Africa. The Mali Empire began in and was centered around the Manding region in what is now southern Mali and northeastern Guinea. Free warriors from the north (Mandekalu or otherwise) were usually equipped with large reed or animal hide shields and a stabbing spear that was called a tamba. If no button appears, you cannot download or save the media. [96], According to some Arabic writers, Musa's gift-giving caused a depreciation in the value of gold in Egypt. One of the greatest caravans to ever cross the Sahara was led by Mansa Musa, the legendary ruler of the vast West African empire of Mali. The fame of Mansa Musa and his phenomenal wealth spread as he traveled on his hajjto Mecca. The video and its description text are provided by Youtube. [140], The Mali Empire maintained a semi-professional, full-time army in order to defend its borders. [80] Ibn Khaldun regarded Wali as one of Mali's greatest rulers. Mansa Musa was an important ruler of the golden age of the Malink kingdom, based on the upper Niger River in Mali, West Africa. [9] Upon Leo Africanus's visit at the beginning of the 16th century, his descriptions of the territorial domains of Mali showed that it was still a kingdom of considerable size. While in Mecca, conflict broke out between a group of Malian pilgrims and a group of Turkic pilgrims in the Masjid al-Haram. After the victory, King Soumaoro disappeared, and the Mandinka stormed the last of the Sosso cities. We all know of Mansa Musa, possibly the richest man to ever exist. [86], The name "Musa" has become virtually synonymous with pilgrimage in Mand tradition, such that other figures who are remembered as going on a pilgrimage, such as Fakoli, are also called Musa. Gold dust had been weighed and bagged for use at least since the time of the Ghana Empire. Rather, authority would rest with the mansa and his court, wherever he went. He ruled the nation for nearly 25 years until his death in 1337 and is . Stories of his fabulous wealth even reached Europe. Mansa Ms, either the grandson or the grandnephew of Sundiata, the founder of his dynasty, came to the throne in 1307. Al-Umari's list, which is quoted with slight differences by al-Qalqashandi, is as follows: Al-Umari also indicates that four Amazigh tribes were subjects of Mali: Gomez instead suggests that these tribes would have inhabited territory in the vicinity of Mema, Ghana, and Diafunu. "[96], Contemporary sources suggest that the mounts employed by this caravan were one hundred elephants, which carried those loads of gold, and several hundred camels, carrying the food, supplies and weaponries which were brought to the rear.[97]. He stopped in Cairo along the way, and his luxurious spending and gift giving was so extensive that he diluted the value of gold by 10 to 25 percent and impacted Cairos economy for at least 12 years afterward. Corrections? But more reasoned analysis suggests that his role, if any, was quite limited. Mansa Musa (1280-1337) Mansa Musa, fourteenth century emperor of the Mali Empire, is the medieval African ruler most known to the world outside Africa. After Ibn Khaldun's death in 1406, there are no further Arab primary sources except for Leo Africanus, who wrote over a century later. The historian al-Umar, who visited Cairo 12 years after the emperors visit, found the inhabitants of this city, with a population estimated at one million, still singing the praises of Mansa Ms. No single Keita ever ruled Manden after Mahmud Keita IV's death, resulting in the end of the Mali Empire. However, his riches are only one part of his legacy, and he is also remembered for his Islamic faith, promotion of scholarship, and patronage of culture in Mali. They founded the first village of the Manding, Kirikoroni, then Kirina, Siby, Kita. by Spanish cartographers, shows West Africa dominated by a depiction of Mansa Musa sitting on a throne, holding a nugget of gold in one hand and a golden staff in the other. Not only do we pay for our servers, but also for related services such as our content delivery network, Google Workspace, email, and much more. [40] In fact, there is a conspicuous absence of archaeological samples of any kind from Niani dated to the late 13th through early 15th centuries, suggesting that Niani may have been uninhabited during the heyday of the Mali Empire. A kl-koun led free troops into battle alongside a farima ("brave man") during campaign. This is one of the main factors to the fall of the kingdom. World History Encyclopedia. The other major source of information comes from Mandinka oral tradition, as recorded by storytellers known as griots.[5]. [83] He is criticized for being unfaithful to tradition, and some of the jeliw regard Musa as having wasted Mali's wealth. Contemporary sources claim 60 copper bars traded for 100 dinars of gold. A Golden Age: King Mansa Musa's Reign. These conflicts also interrupted trade. The Portuguese decided to stay out of the conflict and the talks concluded by 1495 without an alliance.[110]. [86] As Fajigi, Musa is sometimes conflated with a figure in oral tradition named Fakoli, who is best known as Sunjata's top general. And so the name Keita became a clan/family and began its reign.[70]. [23] Numbered individuals reigned as mansa; the numbers indicate the order in which they reigned. Mansa means (King or Emperor) and he was ruling the Mali kingdom from C.E 1312 to 1337 for around 25 years. Eventually, due to Muhammad's failure to return, Musa was recognized as mansa.[89]. Imperial Mali is best known through three primary sources: the first is the account of Shihab al-'Umari, written in about 1340 by a geographer-administrator in Mamluk Egypt. Timbuktu became a major Islamic university center during the 14th century due to Mansa Musas developments. [69] The Kangaba province, free of Sonink influence, splintered into twelve kingdoms with their own maghan (meaning prince) or faama. The kingdom of Mali was relatively unknown outside of West Africa until this event. Ag-Amalwal. . An army was required to guard the borders to protect its flourishing trade. Different oral traditions conflict with each other, as well as Ibn Khaldun, about the transfer of power following Sunjata's death. Mansa Souleyman Keita died in 1360 and was succeeded by his son, Camba Keita. The entire nation was mobilised, with each clan obligated to provide a quota of fighting-age men. Through the oral tradition of griots, the Keita dynasty, from which nearly every Mali emperor came, claims to trace its lineage back to Lawalo, one of the sons of Bilal,[60] the faithful muezzin of Islam's prophet Muhammad, who was said to have migrated into Mali and his descendants established the ruling Keita dynasty through Maghan Kon Fatta, father of Sundiata Keita.[61]. Constant civil war between leaders led to a weakened state. [147][148], The Sudano-Sahelian influence was particularly widely incorporated during the rule of Mansa Musa I, who constructed many architectural projects, including the Great Mosque of Gao and Royal Palace in Timbuktu, which was built with the assistance of Ishaak al-Tuedjin, an architect brought by Musa from his pilgrimage to Mecca. During the peak of the kingdom, Mali was extremely wealthy. Gold, copper, and salt were a major source of income in the 12th century and the empire happened to be blessed with it, even more as it expanded. The Sahelian and Saharan towns of the Mali Empire were organised as both staging posts in the long-distance caravan trade and trading centres for the various West African products. [95] When he passed through Cairo, historian al-Maqrizi noted "the members of his entourage proceeded to buy Turkish and Ethiopian slave girls, singing girls and garments, so that the rate of the gold dinar fell by six dirhams.". Ibn Khaldun in Levtzion and Hopkins, eds. In 1481, Fula raids against Mali's Tekrur provinces began. While Mansa Musa's grandfather, Abu-Bakr, was a nephew of Sundiata Keita, the founder of the Malian Empire, neither he nor his descendants had a strong claim to the throne. . Mali flourished especially when Timbuktu came under Mansa Musa's control. The Wangara, an Old Soninke Diaspora in West Africa? Musa is known for his wealth and generosity. Ms Is hajj left a lasting impression of Malis splendour on both the Islamic and European worlds. To Westerners, he seems to have been the greatest of Mali rulers, as visible in games like Civilization. Mansa Musa brought the architect back to Mali to beautify some of the cities. The only real requirement was that the mansa knew he could trust this individual to safeguard imperial interests. [111] This envoy from the Portuguese coastal port of Elmina arrived in response to the growing trade along the coast and Mali's now urgent request for military assistance against Songhai. You cannot download interactives. Mansa Ms, either the grandson or the grandnephew of Sundiata, the founder of his dynasty, came to the throne in 1307.
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