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The Empires of Mali and Songhai

The Empires of Mali and Songhai. 12/6/10. I. Mali Builds on Ghana’s Foundation. A . Sundiata- chief of the Malinke people. Establishes Mali and pushes its borders through Ghana and beyond. Opens up gold for salt trade and expands trade routes. Established Timbuktu Location

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The Empires of Mali and Songhai

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  1. The Empires of Mali and Songhai 12/6/10

  2. I. Mali Builds on Ghana’s Foundation A. Sundiata- chief of the Malinke people. • Establishes Mali and pushes its borders through Ghana and beyond. • Opens up gold for salt trade and expands trade routes. • Established Timbuktu • Location • Important for Islam • Supported growing of food crops and cotton. • Mixed traditional beliefs with Islam. • The Lion King

  3. I. Mali Builds on Ghana’s Foundation (continued) B. Rise of Mansa Musa • 1307- Mali’s most famous ruler comes to power, Mansa Musa. • Was Muslim, but allowed his followers to practice their own religions. • Name means King Moses. • Pilgrimage • 12,000 slaves, 80 camels, 300 pounds of gold. • In front of him on the pilgrimage, he had 500 slaves dressed in silk, carrying gold staffs.

  4. II. Decline of Mali A. Internal Problems • When Mansa Musa died, family argued over who was next in line. • Newly conquered regions began to rebel. • In East, Songhai people gained strength. • Songhai city of Gao is conquered by Mali and independent of Mali in a span of 40 years! • B. External problems • Berber nomads came from the North and Eventually captured Timbuktu. • In the south, bandits raid caravans and military outposts. • By 1500, Mali had been pushed back into it’s original borders, no longer a strong empire.

  5. III. The Empire of Songhai A. Songhai expands • Berbers controlled the city of Timbuktu since 1433. • In 1468, Muslim leaders asked the Songhai king, Sunni Ali, to overthrow the Berbers. • Ali does, killing many people and taking control of Timbuktu. • Gets a reputation as a powerful king who rules harshly. • Conquered neighboring land like Djenne, after 7 year siege.

  6. III. The Empire of Songhai (continued) B. Askia Muhammad • Empire expanded greatly under Sunni Ali’s rule. • When he died in 1492, his son was declared ruler. • Askia Muhammad wanted to seize the crown though. • Felt that Sunni Ali did not practice Islam the right way. • A year later, Askia defeated Sunni Ali’s son and become ruler.

  7. III. The Empire of Songhai (continued) C. Askia’s Organization • Greatest achievement was organizing the government. • Provinces • Governors • Had directors of finance, agriculture, army, and navy. • Set up a system of organized tax collection. • Spread Islam throughout the empire using scholars. • In rural areas, mostly Tradislam

  8. III. The Empire of Songhai (continued) D. Songhai Falls • Askia Muhammad’s son would eventually remove his father from the throne. • He was followed by a series of weak rulers. • 1580’s- Moroccans take over the salt mines. • 1591- Moroccans take over Timbuktu and Gao. • Empire collapsed • Lives of kinship groups usually stay the same no matter who is in charge.

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