The Empire of Mali - The Twang of a Bow - Extra History - Part 1

Summary

In 1235, amidst global turmoil, Prince Sundiata of Mali defeated the Sorcerer King Soumaoro Kante, establishing the Mali Empire. Born into a fallen Ghana Empire, Sundiata overcame physical disability and political challenges to unite tribes and expand his empire, securing vast gold mines. His decentralized governance and strategic military ensured trade prosperity, laying the foundation for Mali's Golden Age. However, after his tragic death, dynastic struggles and a failed exploratory expedition marked the empire's transition into a new era.

Takeaways

• 🏺 The traders of Morocco spoke of a southern kingdom rich in gold, which was a significant motivator for the dangerous journey through the Sahara.
• 📆 In 1235, the world was in turmoil with the Mongols, the Holy Roman Empire, and the papacy involved in conflicts, while West Africa was determining the fate of the Ghana Empire.
• 🤴 Prince Sundiata, born in the ruins of the Ghana Empire, overcame physical disability and family strife to become a leader.
• 🛡 Sundiata's victory over the Sorcerer King Soumaoro Kante marked the beginning of the Mali Empire and the rise of the Mandinka people.
• 🏰 The Mali Empire expanded beyond the borders of the Ghana Empire, gaining control over three immense gold mines and becoming a hub for trans-Saharan trade.
• 🔱 Sundiata's rule established a decentralized government, fostering unity among diverse tribes and creating a stable foundation for the empire.
• 💼 By revitalizing trade and instituting taxes on merchants, Sundiata ensured a steady revenue stream that supported a full-time military to protect trade routes.
• 🏟️ Sundiata chose Niani as the new capital, strategically positioned for agriculture and less vulnerable to external threats compared to the old capital.
• 🌐 After Sundiata's death, the Mali Empire faced dynastic struggles and civil wars that threatened its stability.
• ⛵ The Mali Empire's exploration and trade initiatives, including an expedition led by Mansa Abubakari Kieta II, demonstrated its ambition and reach beyond African borders.

Q & A

What is the significance of the year 1235 in the context of the Mali Empire?

In 1235, the exiled Prince Sundiata fought against the Sorcerer King Soumaoro Kante, which led to the beginning of the Mali Empire. This victory was pivotal as it marked the end of the Ghana Empire's fall and the rise of a new era of power and prosperity in West Africa.

What geographical challenges did traders face when traveling to the Mali Empire?

Traders faced a treacherous journey across the Sahara, which involved 70 days of travel through the dune seas with scarce water and few oasis towns between them.

What were the main trade goods that traders brought to the Mali Empire?

Traders brought spices, silk, ivory, and slaves to the Mali Empire, in exchange for the vast quantities of gold that the empire had access to.

How did the Empire of Ghana contribute to the rise of the Mali Empire?

The Empire of Ghana had been a wealthy state due to its control over the trans-Saharan trade routes. Its decline and eventual collapse led to the emergence of smaller fiefdoms, one of which was the birthplace of Sundiata, who would later unite these fiefdoms and establish the Mali Empire.

What was the role of Sundiata in the formation of the Mali Empire?

Sundiata, born in the ruins of the Empire of Ghana, united various smaller kingdoms against the Sorcerer King Soumaoro Kante, leading to a decisive victory that marked the beginning of the Mali Empire.

What was Sundiata's physical disability during his childhood, and how did it affect his early life?

Sundiata was born unable to walk, which led to him being mocked and mistreated by his royal family. Despite this, he persevered and took his first step at the age of seven.

How did Sundiata manage to unite a coalition of smaller kingdoms against Soumaoro Kante?

Sundiata united the smaller kingdoms through a combination of his force of will, personality, and the shared hatred of Soumaoro's cruelty, which allowed him to form a coalition that opposed Soumaoro.

What was the structure of governance in the Mali Empire under Sundiata's rule?

Sundiata ran the Mali Empire more as a federation than as an absolute despot, with each tribe sending a chiefly representative to court. This allowed for a decentralized yet stable government.

What economic strategies did Sundiata employ to strengthen the Mali Empire?

Sundiata reinvigorated the trade in salt, slaves, and gold, taxing every merchant who passed through his lands. He also organized a sizeable full-time military to guard the caravan routes, ensuring the continuity of trade.

How did Sundiata's death impact the Mali Empire, and what challenges did it face in the following years?

Sundiata's death led to dynastic struggles that threatened the empire's stability. His biological son was too young to rule, leading to an adopted son seizing the throne. This initiated a series of power struggles and civil wars that nearly undid the peace Sundiata had established.

What was the significance of Mansa Abubakari Kieta II's expedition, and what was its outcome?

Mansa Abubakari Kieta II led an exploratory expedition into the Atlantic with a fleet of 2000 ships, seeking to find and settle new lands. However, neither the Emperor nor any of his ships were ever heard from again, marking a mysterious end to the expedition.