Mali Empire

A medieval West African empire that flourished from the 13th to 16th centuries. Its rulers controlled important trans-Saharan trade routes and included Timbuktu within its domains.

Trans-Saharan trade: A network of caravan routes linking North Africa and the Sahara with sub-Saharan African societies. Mali gained wealth and influence by taxing trade in gold, salt, and other goods.
Sundiata Keita: The founder of the Mali Empire, remembered for defeating the Sosso ruler Sumanguru at the Battle of Kirina. Tradition credits Sundiata with uniting Mandinka territories and establishing Mali's imperial power.
Mansa Musa: A 14th-century ruler of Mali whose pilgrimage to Mecca displayed the empire's wealth and strengthened its diplomatic ties. His reign became the best-known example of Mali's prosperity and international reach.
University of Sankore: A historic Islamic teaching center in Timbuktu, associated with the city's scholarly life. Its later prominence reflects the intellectual institutions that grew in Mali's urban centers.
Niger River: A major West African river that flows through the Sahel and forms an inland delta in Mali. Its waterways and fertile floodplains supported settlements and commerce within the empire.
Battle of Kirina: A battle traditionally dated to 1235 in which Sundiata Keita defeated the Sosso ruler Sumanguru. The victory marks the turning point in Mali's rise in traditional accounts.
Abu Bakr II: A ruler of Mali whom later accounts describe as abdicating to lead an expedition across the Atlantic. Stories about his alleged voyage illustrate the uncertain record of some imperial rulers.
Timbuktu manuscripts: A large collection of manuscripts from Timbuktu covering subjects including law, theology, history, and science. These manuscripts document the scholarly culture of the region shaped by Mali and its successors.
Mansa: A title used by rulers of the Mali Empire, including Sundiata Keita and Mansa Musa. Mansas led the empire and governed its political and military power.
Sosso Empire: A West African state that rose after the Ghana Empire and was defeated by Sundiata Keita's forces. Mali's emergence followed the defeat of the Sosso power that dominated the region.

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