Mansa Musa, a devout Muslim, was the emperor of Mali during the fourteenth century. In 1324, Mansa Musa’s pilgrimage in the Muslim holy city of Mecca allowed him to meet up with the rulers in the Middle East and Europe. This allowed him to become allies with these two regions, benefiting him during his reign. The kingdom of Mali during the fourteenth century was abundantly equipped with luxury items such as gold, salt, cola nuts and ivory, all of which were greatly in demand in the markets of the Mediterranean (Mansa). Because these luxury items were in such high demand, this allowed the kingdom of Mali to thrive and become a very successful place. Without the gifted ruler Mansa Musa, this Mali empire would not have been half of what it was. …show more content…
As he encouraged trade and protected trade routes, he stabilized the organization of the state. He brought education, trade, and the Muslim religion to the empire (Mansa). Without these factors, the empire would have no means of schooling for its people, limited contact with the other countries, and a weak religion by which to follow. As he communicated with these foreign places, diplomatic relations were established between the different areas and ambassadors were exchanged between Mali and Morocco (The Mansa). In addition, the men in Mali were sent to study in Morocco to get a higher education to bring back to the great Mali empire. This allowed the community to learn new things that they were not familiar with, which allowed them to become more accustomed with the outside world to become more successful. Without Mansa Musa, the territory of Mali would not have been as great as it was. He extended the Mali Empire from the Atlantic coast in the west all the way over to the gold mines of Wangara in the south and many more areas. Mansa Musa also increased the influence of the Islamic culture by spreading Islamic Law and civilization throughout the Mali empire region. He created a judicial system based on Islamic beliefs, allowing the civilization to become more organized and live with less
He decided to improve the status of his land on his arrival from a pilgrimage from Mecca in 1324. Furthermore, he transformed his trading city of Timbuktu to a center of learning and religion and built a mass, which set a new style of architecture in West Africa. “Caravans of Gold” underlines the importance of Timbuktu because it concentrated on African scholarship, politics, teaching theology, and Islamic law. Timbuktu was a significant place in Africa during this time because it became a market right after and made a profit for the region. Likewise, it was a religious, cultural, and profitable center whose people traveled north across the Sahara through Morocco and Algeria to other parts of Africa, Europe, and Asia. According to The History of Africa, “Because of his devotion to Islam, Mansa Musa strengthened Islam and promoted education, trade, and commerce in Mali” (Asante, 2014, pg. 135). It was a successful center for the trans-Saharan gold and salt trade and grew as the center of Islam. This statement launches the truth that Timbuktu supported Islamic values and knowledge because it was a city most well-known for the education of important scholars whose backgrounds were of Islam. Asante supports the fact that Mansa Musa was effective in reforming the city of Timbuktu and the trade in that area. Asante also states that “Musa did not forget the control of the gold and salt; it was fundamental for the
Before the arrival of Islam, Segu and its people, the Bambaras, were extremely different world from what they became under Islamic rule. The Bambaras were proud people with a long history in farming, and the wealthy ones worked with hundreds of slaves and planted millet, cotton and fonio (p. 4). Their currency was cowrie shells and gold dust, and they hadn't even heard of money, which came with the white man. With the coming of Islam, manufactured goods from Europe and North Africa were making their way into Bambara households (p. 324). Conde described it: "It was not unusual to see well-born young men in boots bought from some trader. Many families had silver dishes in their huts, and the Mansa proudly displayed to his friends a service of fine Chinese porcelain that he never actually used." Fetishists, they turned to all manner of objects and all manner of gods to assure their good fortune. For example, Dousika used a tooth twig to increase his physical strength and sexual potency (p. 3). As Sira gave birth, Nya ordered plants be burned to drive away the evil spirts and help the milk come (p. 11).
Art has been the reflection, interpretation and representation of artists' beliefs and morals eternally. Various artists stand for different matters that quite possibly affect their lives, or might be of an interest to them. Norval Morrisseau is an artist that I was intrigued by his portrayal and the techniques used in his paintings. In this paper, we are going to look at the implementation of Morrisseau's painting style used to expose his philosophies of different aspects in his life.
Such as items like gold,salt,and copper to offer many nations. Second, Mali took the Islamic faith as its official religion, which strengthened bonds with other Islamic nations in Africa. Third, Mali had a great leader with the name of Mansa Musa, who ensured peace and order, and enhanced the economy, and also promoted academic excellence. Lastly, Mali had a strong military that was able to protect its borders and thrive in expansion. The Mali Kingdom was a truly great empire.
As the world of trade developed over time, goods were not the only things that were traded throughout these routes. With the merchants that traveled the world, were the ideals and religions that had learned from foreign lands, and the major religions of Christianity, Islam, and Buddhism, spread like wildfire throughout the regions of Eurasia and Africa because of this. The spread of Islam throughout the continent of Africa acted as a major influence both politically and socially. After 1600, Islam began to make its mark on the newly centralized states in Africa and was spread through western land trade, and through merchants on the Swahili coast. The major gold trading center of the Kingdom of Ghana, attracted merchants, and was a center for the Muslim community . By the 10th century, the kings of Ghana had converted to Islam in order to improve the relation between the kings and merchants. The early converts of Central and West Africa did not e...
In comparison to other slaves that are discussed over time, Olaudah Equiano truly does lead an ‘interesting’ life. While his time as a slave was very poor there are certainly other slaves that he mentions that received far more damaging treatment than he did. In turn this inspires him to fight for the abolishment of slavery. By pointing out both negative and positive events that occurred, the treatment he received from all of his masters, the impact that religion had on his life and how abolishing slavery could benefit the future of everyone as a whole; Equiano develops a compelling argument that does help aid the battle against slavery. For Olaudah Equiano’s life journey expressed an array of cruelties that came with living the life of an
Maus is a graphic memoir by Art Spiegelman, about a father, Vladek, survivor of the Holocaust and a son, Arty, who wants to know what was it like living during the Holocaust era. During the holocaust years, Vladek was advised by a rabbi that his tattooed number will bring him luck. Throughout the story, he continues to personify the luck his number represents by being persistent and hardworking. Despite suffering starvation, thirst, and not feeling well, Vladek continues to remain humble by helping his fellow inmates. Many years passed after the war ended, Vladek was portrayed as this conservative man, but there was a reason behind that mask. Vladek did not want people to step over him like he was stepped on before; he wanted to teach Arty
When I found out I qualified to be a candidate for the NJHS, I knew I had to take this chance. This group is made up of people who depict leadership, character, citizenship, academic success, and service and I would love to join. These characteristics wouldn't just be valuable for a candidate to have, but for everyone to have to exceed in life. If I were to be in the National Junior Honor Society, it would give me an opportunity to ameliorate my future and motivate me to do better.
In Document E it states that "...he told me of the opulence [luxury; extreme wealth], manly virtues, and piety of his sultan [king]." This means that while Mansa was
Mansa Musa was one of the most prestigious and wealthiest emperors of all time. As the emperor of the Mali Empire, Central West Africa of what is now known as Mauritania from 1312 to 1337, Mansa Musa ascended the kingdom into decades of prosperity and stability. During his reign, Mansa Musa conquered immense territories and stretched the Mali Empire from the Atlantic Ocean to the present-day states of Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger. Mansa Musa was best known for his affluent, flamboyant lifestyle filled of over-the-top extravagances and lavish. To this day he is said to be the richest man of all time. Mansa Musa also played a significant role in the spread of education and Islamic Law to the people of Mali. During his earlier years of rule, his devotion to the religion of Islam put him at odds with groups who maintained traditional African religions, but he was able to avoid conflict being
Mansa Musa was such a good king to his people and always represented himself as one too. Every time he left his palace it could be seen as a parade in the kingdom. When leaving “he took about 300 guards, musicians, and acrobats with him” (Mansa Musa the Muslim King of Mali). People would rush to the street just to see the presence that Mansa Musa would bring to streets. He would hand out goods, small gold nuggets, and would give the elders of every town. People had no choice but to love Mansa Musa due to the grace he would bless upon his
African society used bodies of water such as the Nile, the Red Sea, and many more to transport goods across the continent and generate profit. For example, the city of “Aksum reached its height between 325-360. Aksum’s location made it an important international trading center.” After analyzing the map of trade routes in Document 1, it is clear Aksum was strategically built to have ties to the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. These two bodies of water give the city the freedom to import and export goods. Additionally, this work of trade did not come without reward. Cities who succeeded in the business became overly wealthy and had surpluses of gold and other riches. A king, Mansa Mansa, who expanded the Mali kingdom to be twice the size of Ghana, was not afraid to show his wealth as he showered other cities in riches out of generosity. In Cairo, Egypt, “there was no person, officer of the court, or holder of any office of the Sultanate who did not receive a sum of gold from him.” This is just one of the many examples of wealth in african cities and empires. What is impressive is the fact that before European trade became an influence, African people had already created a successful and very profitable system of
Moroccan traveler, Ibn Battuta, is well-known for being one of the greatest travelers of his time. Battuta’s descriptive account of his travels to East and West Africa in the fourteenth century provides important insight into African Islamic life at that point in time. Although Battuta and the peoples in black Africa shared the same religion, he comes to realize that sharing a religion is not enough to completely relate to a different group of people. The story of Ibn Battuta in Black Africa illustrates the difficulties he faced in relating to these peoples due to the non-traditional role of women, different religious customs, and frequent misinterpretation of situations.
There was also a Kingdom called Mali that broke off from the Ghana Empire. At this time they had embraced the religion of Islam and had been under the great rule of Mansa Musa. This empire had the job of protecting the caravans or shipments carrying the goods, so that they can trade. They helped towards the function of trade so that both the importer and exporter gained something. In document 3 it explains how their wealth was great because of their trade. The document also talks about the fact that they had exhibited the characteristics of an advanced divination like sufficient food to feed its people, a strong army equipped with advanced weapons and income derived from taxes. Even though the Mali Empire had wealth there was very little corruption if there was with the ruler. He did not go mad with power but he was generous. In document four it states they there was no person who did not receive a sum of gold from him.
The Kingdom of Mali was an African hub of wealth, trade and education for over 225 years. Mali is an Arab version of the Mandinka word that means, “Where the king dwells”, and was vitally important in spreading trade, education, religion and culture along the Niger River. The rise of Mali into an Empire occurred in the early 13th century, when Sundiata defeated his enemies and won control of the West African gold mines. In 1312 Mansa Musa became ruler of Mali. During his reign which was known as Mali’s, “Golden Age”, he introduced Islamic beliefs to many communities along the Niger and enhanced education after his historic pilgrimage to Mecca. Mali’s rise was attributed to the Trans-Saharan Trade routes leading to and from Western and Eastern Africa. These trade routes contributed to the rise and fall of powerful African Kingdoms for hundreds of years, but for 250 years, Mali was the crown jewel of Africa.