Mali is located on top of the Niger River. The areas location s fertile site helped Mali grow. Its allowed them to control trades on the river. Mali rose to power under a leader named Sundiata. Mali is located on top of the Niger River. The areas location s fertile site helped Mali grow. Its allowed them to control trades on the river. Mali rose to power under a leader named Sundiata. According to legend, Sundiata was a mighty warrior and a magician. Sundiata was the son of the previous king who treated the people of Mali poorly. When he grew into an adult he Sundiata built up an army and gain his countrys independence. Then he started conquering other kingdoms like Ghana. According to legend, Sundiata was a mighty warrior and a magician. Sundiata was the son of the previous king who treated the people of Mali poorly. When he grew into an adult he Sundiata built up an army and gain his countrys independence. Then he started conquering other kingdoms like Ghana. After Sundiata conquered Ghana he took over the salt and gold trades. He worked to improve agriculture and farmlands were cleared for beans, onions, rice and other crops. He introduced a new crop called cotton that was used to make comfortable and warm clothing. He put soldiers in the fields to raise the food production since there was no wars. After Sundiata conquered Ghana he took over the salt and gold trades. He worked to improve agriculture and farmlands were cleared for beans, onions, rice and other crops. He introduced a new crop called cotton that was used to make comfortable and warm clothing. He put soldiers in the fields to raise the food production since there was no wars. Under Sundiatas guidance, Mali grew into a prosperous kingdom. To keep order Sundiata took power away from local leaders called Mansa. Mansas had both political and religious roles in society. He took the title Mansa for himself. The Mansas were to believed to have made a deal with the spirits of the land, the spirits were to make sure that the land produced plenty food. Sundiata died in His son became ruler after him and also took the title of Mansa. Under Sundiatas guidance, Mali grew into a prosperous kingdom. To keep order Sundiata took power away from local leaders called Mansa. Mansas had both political and religious roles in society. He took the title Mansa for himself. The Mansas were to believed to have made a deal with the spirits of the land, the spirits were to make sure that the land produced plenty food. Sundiata died in His son became ruler after him and also took the title of Mansa. Questions: 1. Who was Sundiata? 2. What did Sundiata do before becoming emperor? 3. What title did Sundiata give himself and what did it get him? 4. When did Sundiata die? 5. Who took over when he died? Questions: 1. Who was Sundiata? 2. What did Sundiata do before becoming emperor? 3. What title did Sundiata give himself and what did it get him? 4. When did Sundiata die? 5. Who took over when he died? 1.The first strong ruler of Mali who made it into an empire. 2.He was a magician and mighty warrior. 3. Mansa and it got him both more political power and religious power His son took over and took the title mansa also. 1.The first strong ruler of Mali who made it into an empire. 2.He was a magician and mighty warrior. 3. Mansa and it got him both more political power and religious power His son took over and took the title mansa also.