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Empire of Mali

The Big Idea

The wealthy and powerful Mali Empire ruled West Africa after the fall of Ghana.

Main Ideas

• A ruler named Sundiata made Mali into an empire.

• Mali reached its height under the ruler Mansa Musa.

• Mali fell to invaders in the late 1400s.

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• • Mansa Musa made Mali and its great  wealth famous throughout world when he went on a pilgrimage to Mecca accompanied by thousands of servants and gold.

  
  

  • Mansa Musa wanted to spread Islam across Africa. He encouraged his people to learn Arabic and set up schools in Timbuktu and other cities.

  
  

  • When Mali fell to invaders, the Songhai Empire came into power and helped strengthen Islam in West Africa.

The End