The Mali Empire was a West African empire that thrived from the late 13th to the 17th century. It was renowned for its wealth, particularly in gold and salt, and its influence extended across modern-day countries such as Mali, Senegal, Gambia, Guinea, Niger, Nigeria, and Mauritania.
The Mali Empire was founded by Sundiata Keita, whose legendary life inspired the epic "Epic of Sundiata". Sundiata unified the Mande people and expanded the empire through military conquests, establishing a formidable state around the year 1235. Under his rule, the empire gained control over key trade routes that linked the gold fields of Bambuk and Bure to the Trans-Saharan trade routes.
The empire was structured with a central authority in the hands of the mansa (emperor), who ruled with the assistance of a complex bureaucracy. Governance was decentralized with provinces ruled by governors or generals who were often members of the royal family or powerful nobles. The empire's legal system was based on Mande law, which included aspects of customary law, Islamic law, and local traditions.
Islam became prominent during the reign of Mansa Musa, who made a famous pilgrimage to Mecca in 1324, distributing gold widely, which helped to put the empire on the map of the known world. Despite this, traditional Mande religion continued to coexist alongside Islam. The empire was also known for its scholarly centers like Timbuktu, which became a hub for learning and culture due to the wealth brought by trade.
The economy of the Mali Empire was primarily based on agriculture, with crops like millet, rice, and sorghum being staples. However, its wealth stemmed from the control of trade routes. Gold was mined in the empire and traded for salt, cloth, and other goods from the north. The empire's currency was the gold dinar, which facilitated trade across a wide region.
The decline of the Mali Empire began in the 15th century due to several factors including internal strife, the rise of Songhai Empire, and external pressures from the Portuguese Empire establishing coastal trade posts. By the 17th century, the empire had fragmented into smaller states.
The legacy of the Mali Empire includes its contributions to African architecture, particularly the Sudano-Sahelian architecture, its role in spreading Islam, and its impact on the development of trade in West Africa. The empire's wealth and cultural achievements left a lasting imprint on the region's history.