MALI EMPIRE Unit 2: Lesson 1

DO NOW: What does this image make you think about African empires? Unit 2: Mali Empire: Lesson 1

SUCCESS CRITERIA: MUST: Know what the Mali Empire was Be able to explain who Mansa Musa was SHOULD: Understand how the Mali empire grew to be the major power in West Africa Understand why Mansa Musa was important COULD: Understand how the spread of Islam affected Africa

Background: When Berber tribes started using camels for trade across the Sahara, areas in West Africa were able to become more wealthy. The first empire in the area was Ghana. The Empire of Ghana became rich through trading gold in exchange for salt. The empire was well-established by 800 AD. Islam spread into the region because of trade. Muslim merchants and teachers settled into the region and introduced their religion. The rulers of Ghana converted to Islam, but many of the ordinary people continued to practise traditional African religions.

The Empire of Mali: By 1235, the kingdom of Mali had begun. It was in an area south of Ghana. Mali also became wealthy through trading gold. The Ghana Empire had become weak, which allowed the Mali kingdom to start taking over control of areas which had been under control of Ghana. The first mansa (emperor) was Sundiata. He took over kingdom of Ghana and made Mali into a stable and wealthy empire. He made his capital city, Niani, an important centre for trade and business. After the death of Sundiata, the next emperors of Mali were Muslim. The most famous of these leaders is Mansa Musa.