Harry Green Early World History 6/7/24. The Mali Empire: Mansa Musa’s Leadership. The Mali Empire was a Western African civilization known for its vast amount of gold and one of its famous leaders, Mansa Musa. Through Musa’s leadership, he expanded the land of Mali, valued education, went on pilgrimage, and attracted different societies to his Empire. It’s said that during Mansa Musa’s reign, the Mali Empire reached the pinnacle of its power and greatness. However, Musa would behave selfishly, arrogantly and was not the best fit for the Mali Empire. Mansa Musa’s leadership positively and negatively impacted the Mali Empire because of his mixed actions and traits. Mansa Musa’s leadership positively impacted the Mali Empire due to the expansion …show more content…
Eager to help themselves to the wealth of the distant land, Portuguese sailors began making their way southward." 229. The. Musa drew explorers and traders into his Empire, strengthening the economy and enriching his Empire. Additionally, as a patron of the arts, Musa attracted poets and artists to Mali leading to a flourishing of cultural activities and advancements in Mali. These attractions improved diversity in Mali and helped and nourished the population. Mansa Musa’s leadership profoundly affected the Mali Empire, reflecting both his strengths and flaws. His ambitious expansions of the empire’s territories and civilians, plus his development of Timbuktu as a city of religion and education, brought significant benefits to the Mali Empire. However, his deep Islamic beliefs created tension, and his pilgrimage to Mecca, marked by his excessive spending, depleted Mali’s resources and poorly affected the economy. Musa’s selfish behavior overshadowed the needs of his people, but his welcoming nature and patronage of the arts attracted diverse societies to Mali. Outside of Mali, Mansa Musa’s actions had a global impact, and his legendary wealth changed the world, drawing in explorers and traders
In the 1300s Mansa Musa, king of Mali took his holy pilgrimage to the city of Mecca as a devout muslim, traveling through scorching deserts and bustling cities, although there might be other reasons he took his religious Hajj. The pilgrimage of Mansa Musa traveled all across Northern Africa and Arabia, stopping in cities along the way where Mansa Musa gave out gold to all he saw. The journey from the Empire of Mali to the city of Mecca was not only a faithful religious journey to the holy city, but also to create a name for Mali as the wealthy and powerful empire it was.
African society used bodies of water such as the Nile, the Red Sea, and many more to transport goods across the continent and generate profit. For example, the city of “Aksum reached its height between 325-360. Aksum’s location made it an important international trading center.” After analyzing the map of trade routes in Document 1, it is clear Aksum was strategically built to have ties to the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. These two bodies of water give the city the freedom to import and export goods. Additionally, this work of trade did not come without reward. Cities who succeeded in the business became overly wealthy and had surpluses of gold and other riches. A king, Mansa Mansa, who expanded the Mali kingdom to be twice the size of Ghana, was not afraid to show his wealth as he showered other cities in riches out of generosity. In Cairo, Egypt, “there was no person, officer of the court, or holder of any office of the Sultanate who did not receive a sum of gold from him.” This is just one of the many examples of wealth in african cities and empires. What is impressive is the fact that before European trade became an influence, African people had already created a successful and very profitable system of
There was also a Kingdom called Mali that broke off from the Ghana Empire. At this time they had embraced the religion of Islam and had been under the great rule of Mansa Musa. This empire had the job of protecting the caravans or shipments carrying the goods, so that they can trade. They helped towards the function of trade so that both the importer and exporter gained something. In document 3 it explains how their wealth was great because of their trade. The document also talks about the fact that they had exhibited the characteristics of an advanced divination like sufficient food to feed its people, a strong army equipped with advanced weapons and income derived from taxes. Even though the Mali Empire had wealth there was very little corruption if there was with the ruler. He did not go mad with power but he was generous. In document four it states they there was no person who did not receive a sum of gold from him.
The kingdom rose to power and used its resources to become wealthy and prominent. Mali used its central trading location and surplus of valuable goods such as gold, salt, and copper to become the strongest and most powerful trading nation in Africa and Southern Europe. The nation had a strong leader in Mansa Musa who brought order, the Islamic faith, great economics, and an emphasis of scholarship to Mali, all of which were crucial to the country's success. Mali became an Islamic nation which brought a sense of togetherness for the citizens of Mali but gave Mali strong ties with other Islamic Nations. This togetherness helped Mali obtain peace and civility and helped in diplomacy. Mali’s Military also served as valuable asset in its rise to power. The army protected trade routes, helped keep peace and order in the country, expanded its borders and secured tribute from other countries. Mali’s success as a nation can be attributed to many different factors all of which were crucial in the development of the empire. Mali rose to great heights and flourished as nation. Their success should be respected and admired by
He decided to improve the status of his land on his arrival from a pilgrimage from Mecca in 1324. Furthermore, he transformed his trading city of Timbuktu to a center of learning and religion and built a mass, which set a new style of architecture in West Africa. “Caravans of Gold” underlines the importance of Timbuktu because it concentrated on African scholarship, politics, teaching theology, and Islamic law. Timbuktu was a significant place in Africa during this time because it became a market right after and made a profit for the region. Likewise, it was a religious, cultural, and profitable center whose people traveled north across the Sahara through Morocco and Algeria to other parts of Africa, Europe, and Asia. According to The History of Africa, “Because of his devotion to Islam, Mansa Musa strengthened Islam and promoted education, trade, and commerce in Mali” (Asante, 2014, pg. 135). It was a successful center for the trans-Saharan gold and salt trade and grew as the center of Islam. This statement launches the truth that Timbuktu supported Islamic values and knowledge because it was a city most well-known for the education of important scholars whose backgrounds were of Islam. Asante supports the fact that Mansa Musa was effective in reforming the city of Timbuktu and the trade in that area. Asante also states that “Musa did not forget the control of the gold and salt; it was fundamental for the
The Mughal Empire was ruled by Pakistan and India. The mughal Empire brought many differences changes to India. They brought art and culture also a style of architecture.They led a style of education for the kids around ( The Mughal Empire). The empire was founded by a Chagatai Turkic (Mughal Dynasty).The Mali Empire was one of the greatest Empires in South Africa during the 1500’s. It was one of the most important trading center at this time. It was very wealthy ( African Kingdoms, Mali Empire). The Mali Empire government emerged in with the grasslands of the savannah. This began their trading which was very successful. They were right near the Niger river floodplain. Mansa Musa ruled the Mali Empire, He was there for 25 years and he made a impact on the empire. They were very wealthy at this time. The leader of the Mali Emporer would take care of
Imagine being the richest man in North Africa. Mansa Musa was not only this but a ruler and a very religious muslim. Mansa Musa was a very rich African emperor who walked all the way from his Kingdom of Mali to Cairo then eventually to Mecca with the goal to follow his religious guidelines of giving away 2.5 percent of his whole wealth and completing his holy pilgrimage.
Mansa Musa was a wealthy man with much wealth to give. Gold and wealth for him could be a key to success or a key to disaster. Mansa Musa went on the trek through Africa to convert people to Islam and to establish trade partners. He wanted to show his wealth but also he was forced to almsgive. In other words he had to share his wealth.
When I was finished reading both Sundiata and God’s Bits of Wood I had a better understanding of the strong relationship between the African people and their leaders. Even though Sundiata and Ihamim Bakayoko became leaders by different means, they displayed a lot of similarities. Sundiata was a king, so the people had to obey him because of his status. However his subjects did not follow him for that reason, they listened to Sundiata because he was a good leader. As a wise African leader, Sundiata ruled in consultation. Sundiata’s number one consultant was his griot, Balla Fasseke. As D.T. Niane said griots know the history of kings and their kingdoms, which is why they are the best advisors of kings because whoever knows the history of a country can read its future. This could be seen when Sundiata and his family were preparing to leave Mali in exile. Sundiata’s mother who, also served as a consultant, had warned him that the queen mother was preparing to harm his family and that it would be in their best interest to leave the kingdom and return at a later time. Balla Fasseke counseled Sundiata by preparing for his departure in detail and informing him of his destiny. Balla Fasseke’s influence could be seen again on the eve of Krina before Sundiata went into battle with Soumaoro. That evening Balla Fasseke sat down with Sundiata and discussed everything with him from the history of the Mali to his role as a leader. Finally Sundiata’s dedication to consultation was obvious when the fighting finally ceased. Instead of keeping all the land he acquired for himself, Sundiata returned it to the leaders. He also set a system up whereby all the leaders would get together and discuss their problems.
The Mali Empire lasted from 700 AD to 1600 AD which consisted of the Ghana Empire (700-1100 AD), Mali Empire (800-1550 AD), and the Songhay Empire (1300-1600 AD). At the peak of the Malian Empire it stretched from the east coast to the middle of Niger. The empire was founded by Sundiata Keita and was most well-known for its great wealth for the time. One such example is Mansa Musa who was the wealthiest person during his time and is believed to be the wealthiest person ever. He got his wealth from harvesting salt, selling slaves and mining for gold.
Based off of the human continuum scale, Mali should be placed as an empire because of their accomplishments as an empire during the ruling of Mansa Musa. According to source 2, sheet 2 (B), Mansa Musa was the greatest Muslim king of the Sahel. Complexity in the empire was shown in Mali’s history when Mansa Musa moved the capital to Timbuktu, allowing Mali to be in complete control of all important trade routes. This resulted in the economy and trade prospering tremendously, especially in their salt and gold trade. All of the prosperity in the empire was due to the king, Mansa Musa, who led his empire to be the richest and wealthiest empire Africa had ever seen.
He was not offered his usual elite treatment upon arrival, and upon appearing to protest this alleged slight, the sultan did not even recognize him. Accordingly, he describes the sultan as “miserly” (Gibb, et al. 957). In constrast, however, he appreciated the devoutness of those Malians who were Muslim (Levtzion and Pouwels 67), and generally praised the region’s wealth and gold reservers (which had, under Musa I, literally placed the region on the Catalan map).
The history of Africa would contain a lot about religion, natural goods, and trade routes and trade. Mansa Musa was a man who was known as a leader and often thought as kind. He was a dedicated Muslim and a very important role for the kingdom of Mali. He was a great trader and was in an area where there was a lot of gold and salt. He was also known for having a good reputation. Mansa Musa had a social impact on Africa. In medieval Africa, Mansa Musa had a social impact on Africa because he impacted on the roles that people played and how many thought of him. He also was known for having a great and caring heart.
The Kingdom of Mali was an African hub of wealth, trade and education for over 225 years. Mali is an Arab version of the Mandinka word that means, “Where the king dwells”, and was vitally important in spreading trade, education, religion and culture along the Niger River. The rise of Mali into an Empire occurred in the early 13th century, when Sundiata defeated his enemies and won control of the West African gold mines. In 1312 Mansa Musa became ruler of Mali. During his reign which was known as Mali’s, “Golden Age”, he introduced Islamic beliefs to many communities along the Niger and enhanced education after his historic pilgrimage to Mecca. Mali’s rise was attributed to the Trans-Saharan Trade routes leading to and from Western and Eastern Africa. These trade routes contributed to the rise and fall of powerful African Kingdoms for hundreds of years, but for 250 years, Mali was the crown jewel of Africa.
Strive for Dominance The obtention of dominance is a motivator that drives rivalry among people. People strive for dominance, the ability to influence others, through wealth and leadership, but this status is only achieved by those who earn it. Anne Rice’s Novel Interview With The Vampire explores the positions of characters in a hierarchy of dominance that transforms as the non-dominant characters evolve.