Mali and Songhai
Mali • In 1235, King Sundiata of
Mali conquered Ghana and built an even larger empire.
• Sundiata improved farming and restored the region's gold and salt trade.
• Mali’s control of the gold-salt trade made it the most powerful kingdom in Africa.
• Mali’s leaders accepted Islam and under their � rule, the Muslim faith became even more� influential in West Africa.
• Mali's greatest ruler, Mansa Musa, expanded trade, encouraged Islam, and enlarged the empire.
• Under Mansa Musa, rich trading cities such as � Timbuktu and Niani became centers of culture� and learning.
• In 1324, Mansa Musa made a famous pilgrimage to Mecca which brought news of Mali’s great wealth to the Middle East and Europe.
Islam in Africa
Songhai
• Mali gradually weakened from invasions by the Berbers from the north and the Songhai from the south.
• A Songhai prince named Sunni Ali rebelled against the rulers of Mali and started a new dynasty.
• Songhai rulers founded many Islamic� learning centers throughout West Africa.
• Under Muslim kings, Songhai became the greatest trade empire of West Africa by the late 1500s.
• Morocco's military campaign to capture the salt and gold mines also contributed to Songhai's collapse.
• Ultimately, Songhai was defeated by Moroccan Muslims and Spaniards who had guns.
• Eventually, Songhai was weakened by� the local people's resentment of the� Muslim ruling class.
African Trading Empires