The Rise of Mali

A power-point presentation by Jake Kelsoe, Andy Rusinek, and Trevor

The past of Mali…

Mali was previously owned by a kingwho treated the people of Mali badly.

So, when Sundiata reached hisadulthood he built an army and won his

countries independence.

In the beginning….

First emperor = Sundiata Sundiata was son of

prev. king Sundiata conquered

neighbooring cities

This is the range of Mali’s empire

Some improvements in Mali… Sundiata took over trades of salt/gold

Introduced new crop, cotton Worked to improve agriculture in Mali

Cleared lands to so that could farm onions/beans/rice

To help feed his people…

He would…. Force soldiers to farm in the fields

Force conquered people to farm

Consolidation of Power… Mali quickly grew

Defeated local rulers/claimed rights Took name mansa from a local ruler

Sundiata = mansa

The death of Mansas

Sundiata died in 1255 His son took over for him as soon as

he died. His son was a Muslim, and so were

the later rulers Mansa Musa took the title of Mansas

from his father

Religious and Political roles

Religious Roles Mansas gained religious power by taking this

title He brought the mansa out of tradition According to the mansa tradition, if you kept in

touch with your ancestors, then you were able to keep in touch with the ancient spirits

Political Roles

Performed duties Controlled salt/gold trade

Spread farming land