Question

Place the following events in the correct chronological order. Songhai overtook Mali. Sundiata took over Ghana. Mansa Musa brought Muslim scholars, artists, and teachers to Mali. Mali became the center of trans-Saharan trade.

Answer 1

Question: Place the following events in the correct chronological order.

• Songhai overtook Mali.
• Sundiata took over Ghana.  
• Mansa Musa brought Muslim scholars, artists, and teachers to Mali.
• Mali became the center of trans-Saharan trade.

Answer: The correct order is:    

1. Sundiata took over Ghana.  
2. Mansa Musa brought Muslim scholars, artists, and teachers to Mali.  
3. Mali became the center of trans-Saharan trade.  
4. Songhai overtook Mali.

Explanation: Sundiata Keita was the founder of the Mali Empire in West Africa, who ruled from 1235 to 1255 CE. The Mali Empire was established as the dominant power in the region. Sundiata went to the Soso kingdom and took total control. He established the Mali Empire, conquering much of the Empire of Ghana as well. Mansa Musa impacted the culture of Mali by bringing back experts, architects and scholars with him from his pilgrimage to Mecca. Later on, the ancient empire of Mali became the most important in the gold industry. Because of this, much of their gold was traded through the Sahara Desert. Mali became the center of trans-Saharan trade because they traveled across the Sahara to reach sub-Saharan Africa from the North African coast, Europe, to the Levant in order to trade with the countries on the North African coast. They would travel by caravans, on camels. In the 1500s, the Songhai Empire rose to power, while with the death of the last Mansa, Mahmud IV, the Mali Empire came to an end in 1610.

Answer 2

Sundiata took over Ghana.
Mansa Musa brought Muslim scholars, artists, and teachers to Mali.
Mali became the center of trans-Saharan trade.
Songhai overtook Mali.