Cities of the Mali Empire
History: KS3, topic 4.1.5
Geography of the Empire of Mali: Cities
The Empire of Mali covered most territory between the Sahara desert and the coast of West Africa. It was once one of the richest places in the world.
Key facts
- The empire spanned over the area known today as Burkina Faso, Nigeria, Chad, Ghana and many others. Its area was over 2,000 miles!
Main cities
- Its main cities were:
- Timbuktuis (or Timbuktu): a regional trading centre for gold, ivory, and slaves. It had a huge part in the cultural and intellectual life of the Empire.
- Jenne: a major centre that focused on long-distance trade.
- Gao: an important trading area that became even more important over time. Its significance was most apparent during the final few years of the empire.
Governance
- The empire had more than one leader. The king, known as a Mansa, was the one who collected taxes but each region had its own system of government.
- Each region could choose how to make its own government work. Such positions could be elected or inherited.
- The central powers of the empire were Niani. Local representatives would convene there to discuss issues.
- Opposition against the Mansa was less likely when localities were well represented.
The city of Gao
- Gao was a largely independent and incredibly wealthy city in the empire.
- The Tuareg people ransacked the city in the late 1330s. They were nomads, which meant they moved from place to place instead of settling in one area.
End of empire
- The Tuareg people started keeping the taxes that were meant for the Mansa. This led to a decline in the empire's wealth.
- Gao later became the capital of the Songhay Empire, a rival to the Mali Empire.
- The Songhay Empire would completely take over their rival by 1600.
Test yourself on Cities of the Mali Empire
In which city were the central political powers of the Mali Empire located?