Many believe that the history of any civilized Africa before the arrival of Europeans is limited to ancient Egypt and the Islamic Maghreb. But this is not the case. Highly developed, civilized states also existed south of the Sahara. One of these powers was the Mali Empire, which existed in the VIII-XV centuries. Its power at the moments of its greatest greatness extended to the vast territories of modern Mauritania, Senegal, Gambia, Guinea, Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, Nigeria and Chad.
The peak of the development of this power fell on the reign of the Mansa (a West African title equal to the emperor) named Musa from the Keita dynasty, who ruled the Mali Empire from 1307 to 1332. This wise and just ruler is considered the richest man in history - his fortune in terms of modern money is estimated at about 400 billion dollars.
Way to the throne
The statehood of Mali existed for quite a long time - from about the 8th century A. D. Little is known about this period. We only know that until the beginning of the 13th century, Mali was in the position of a vassal of another major regional power - the empire of Ghana. But in 1076 the Berber state of the Almoravids destroys Ghana. It splits into many small tribal chiefdoms and principalities, none of which can claim absolute leadership. But around 1200, the talented Sundiata, the head of the clan of Keita's priests-blacksmiths, unites the Mandinke people around him, and creates a strong state. Mali conquers the surrounding states and turns into an empire.
Sundiata Keita is creating a dynamically developing power, the economy of which is built on the trans-Saharan trade in gold and salt, of which there were a lot in West Africa. Salt was a luxury item in those days and was sold for prices comparable to those of precious metals. From Mali, the Islamic and Christian worlds received two-thirds of the total volume of gold and half of the total volume of table salt. So the Mali empire had as many as two expensive goods, which the Arabs gladly bought and sold to distant countries.
After Sundiata, Mali was ruled by 8 kings. Many of them came to power through palace coups and conspiracies. But the country continued to develop. The ninth ruler of Mali Abubakar II abdicated the throne, built a fleet of many thousands, and sailed away to explore the Atlantic. But he never returned from the voyage. Some historians believe that he sailed to America, but there is no evidence for this. In 1312, his vizier, the grandson of Sundiata Musa Keita, ascended the throne, under whom Mali reached the peak of greatness.
Promotional video:
Golden journey
Researchers believe that Mansa Musa ruled wisely and justly, patronized scientists and poets. But he would not have gone down in history if in the 12th year of his reign he had not made a pilgrimage to Mecca. Many in the Islamic world knew about Mali's wealth, but Musa's Hajj revealed its true scope. The emperor took on the journey more than 12 tons of gold, which he generously distributed to everyone he met. According to various estimates, he was accompanied by from 60 to 80 thousand servants, soldiers and concubines.
The logistics of the trip were fine-tuned so that even in the very center of the Sahara, Musa every day dined on ocean fish and fresh fruits, which were served to him on ice and. Once the wife of the sovereign wanted to freshen up - and the servants dug a pool for her right in the desert, filled it with water from wineskins, in which the empress and 500 of her maids bathed.
In every city where the Sultan was on Friday, he gave orders to build a mosque. He freed one slave every day. Arab sources praise not only his wealth and generosity, but also his generosity and righteousness. But Mansa Musa brought problems to the Middle East. All this gold, which he handed out right and left, depreciated the value of the precious metal in the Islamic world for many years, due to which prices rose greatly.
Mali after Hajj
The journey back to Mali turned into misfortune. The expedition lost at least a third of all people and camels. But the emperor returned home safely. During the trip, Mansa Musa spent a huge part of the state treasury. But this was not a step of insane extravagance, but a meaningful contribution to prestige. The rulers who saw this magnificent expedition were happy to conclude a trade agreement with the emperor of Mali.
Musa also brought many valuable specialists from the Middle East: theologians, architects and poets. They formed the basis of the huge Islamic scientific complex that was built in Timbuktu. This city is becoming the cultural center of all of western Africa. The most famous of the specialists brought during this expedition to West Africa is the Andalusian architect of Spanish origin, As-Sahili. He built several magnificent mosques in Timbuktu and laid the foundations for the unique West African architectural style that is named after him.
But after the death of Mansa Musa in 1332, a period of stagnation began in Mali. Musa's children were not so talented and smart. Under his son, Magan I, the army of the Mosi people plundered and burned Timbuktu. Constant raids of neighboring tribes, dynastic squabbles, extravagance and depravity of the political elite lead to the decline of the empire.
By the end of the XIV century, the previously admired Arab geographers generally cease to mention this state in their writings. The provinces are separated from the empire and become independent states. One of these new states, Songhai, became a new regional leader by the 15th century. Songhai, Tuaregs, other hostile principalities and tribes surround the country from all sides. And although even in the 16th century the Sultan of Mali still ruled a small territory whose inhabitants exist quite prosperously, this is just a shadow of that great African state that Mansa Musa built.
Alexander Artamonov