Origins and Foundation
The Mali Empire emerged in the early 13th century, succeeding the Ghana Empire, which had declined due to internal strife and external pressures. The founding of the Mali Empire is traditionally attributed to Sundiata Keita, a legendary warrior and leader who united several smaller kingdoms and ethnic groups under his rule.
Sundiata’s rise to power was chronicled in the Epic of Sundiata, a famous oral tradition of the Mandinka people. Born into a royal family but initially disabled and exiled, Sundiata overcame adversity to defeat the powerful Sosso king, Soumaoro Kanté, at the Battle of Kirina around 1235 CE. This victory marked the birth of the Mali Empire and the beginning of a powerful West African state.
Geographic Extent
At its height, the Mali Empire stretched across a vast territory covering parts of modern-day Mali, Senegal, Gambia, Guinea, Niger, Nigeria, Mauritania, and Burkina Faso. The empire's strategic location allowed it to control important trans-Saharan trade routes, connecting the gold-rich forests of West Africa to the markets of North Africa and the Mediterranean.
The empire was centered around key cities such as Niani (the capital), Timbuktu, Gao, and Djenné, which became hubs of commerce, learning, and culture. shutdown123