The Mali Kingdom of West Africa first arose in the 13th century. Its founder, Sundiata, was the sole survivor of a massacre at the hand of an enemy king. Sundiata soon grew up to be a military genius and by 1250, reconquered all of the trade routes and former lands of Ghana and founded the kingdom of Mali (Mali means “where the king’s dwell”). The kings of Mali or “mansas” would continue to expand and strengthen the kingdom long after Sundiata dies.
Mansa Musa: Mansa Musa was the greatest king of Mali and reigned from 1312-1337. He expanded Mali’s borders north and west and made his empire safe and peaceful. He also converts to Islam and adopted Sharia law. Along with Mansa Musa, many higher class citizens of the empire also converted to Islam, however many commoners still retained their traditional animistic religion. Mansa Musa’s hajj to Mecca, was probably a large turning point in African history for several reasons covered below. Mansa Musa also invites many Arab scholars to his capital city of Timbuktu, as well as architects to help beautify the city by building mosques out of dried mud that are still standing today.
