The West African kingdom of Mali rose to power as the West African kingdom of Ghana declined

The WestAfrican kingdom

of Malirose to poweras the West

African kingdomof Ghanadeclined

and collapsed.

And like Ghana before it, the WestAfrican kingdom of Mali took controlof the Trans-Saharan trade routes.

North African salt

for West Africangold

But unlike Ghana, the “land of gold”with no gold fields, Mali took controlof the gold fields. Mali truly was the

“land of gold.”

The rulers of Mali taxed traders enteringand exiting Mali as well as sold gold

from its gold fields. The kingdom of Maliwas phenomenally wealthy.

Mansa Musa was the West Africankingdom of Mali’s greatest and most

significant ruler.

Mansa Musa was a devout Muslim. Islam had entered West Africa alongtrade routes. To fulfill the Five Pillars

of the Faith, Mansa Musa took apilgrimage to Mecca.

Mansa Musa expanded his empire,built a great center for learning in

Timbuktu, and made a pilgrimage toMecca!

Ibn Battuta was a great Arab traveler, much like Marco Polo. He visited

Mansa Musa’s court and wrote abouthis experiences in this land of wealth.

Mansa Musa ruled Mali from 1312-1337.

Though Mansa Musa was a superb ruler,his successors were not as capable.

The West African kingdom of Malideclined and eventually collapsed

after the death of Mansa Musa.

The West African kingdom of Songhaireplaced Mali and dominated the salt

for gold trade.

The Big Five• How did the West African kingdom of Mali

differ from the West African kingdom of Ghana?

• Who was Mansa Musa and how did he improve the West African kingdom of Mali?

• Why did Mansa Musa take a pilgrimage to Mecca?

• Who was Ibn Battuta and why was he important?

• Why did the West African kingdom of Mali decline?