The Malinke Empire In Africa And The Empire Of Africa
explanatory Essay
960 words
Centered along the Malian-Mauritanian frontier the empire of Ghana, one of Africa’s first empires, was prospering. As Ghana continued to reign over western Africa another empire was beginning to emerge. Under the leadership of Sundjata Keita the Malinke Empire, otherwise known as the empire of Mali, was being formed around the upper area of the Niger River. When the empire of Ghana was overtaken by Muslim Almoravids during the 11th century, the Malinke Empire was more than ready to take it’s place.
Sundjata’s empire continued to develop through conquests and unions of several smaller states. The empire used Mande culture, ideology and language to dominate the rapidly expanding territory. Sundjata’s reign of the Malinke Empire was cemented by the idea of Mande cultural superiority. Sundjata proved to be a powerful ruler continuing to stretch the Malinke Empire from the Atlantic coast south of Senegal River to Gao on the east of the middle Niger bend (mali.pwnet.org).
At this time the Malinke Empire was producing and transporting copper, salt and kola nuts along the Niger River and establishing itself as the world’s largest producer of gold. As these material goods disseminated so did the Mande language, technology and culture.
After Sundjata’s death Mansa Musa came to power during the 14th century. Mansa embraced Islam and brought his religion to the empire. It was believed Islam would open up the international commercial world and it did. At the height of the 14th century the Malinke Empire peaked under Mansa’s reign, covering nearly 9000 square miles of western Africa, establishing itself as the controller of the trans-Saharan gold trade. Mansa made the pilgrimage to Mecca, otherwise known has haji. Traveling from Niani, the M...
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...e (cia.gov). In 2012 Mali exported about 2.756 billion dollars in goods, however that is just a small fraction compared to a country like the United States or Germany who export nearly 1.500 trillion.
As a result of French dominance in Mali, French is now the official language of Mali (Ghosh). However, the Mande language is still used by a few ethnic groups. Griots, Mande oral historians, still sing praises in order to spread the history of the previous empire that existed. The French also pushed Christianity on the Malians during their time in power however, only a small portion continues to practice it. Muslim remains the dominant religion, with roughly 95% of the population practicing it. There also continues to be gender inequalities. Women have limited rights even though there is a constitutional mandate in place that requires women and men be treated fairly.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that the malinke empire, otherwise known as the empire of mali, was formed around the upper area of the niger river.
- Explains that sundjata's empire continued to develop through conquests and unions of several smaller states. the empire used mande culture, ideology and language to dominate the rapidly expanding territory.
- Explains that the malinke empire was producing and transporting copper, salt and kola nuts along the niger river and established itself as the world’s largest producer of gold.
- Explains that the malinke empire, otherwise known as the empire of mali, was formed around the upper area of the niger river.
- Explains that sundjata's empire continued to develop through conquests and unions of several smaller states. the empire used mande culture, ideology and language to dominate the rapidly expanding territory.
- Explains that the malinke empire was producing and transporting copper, salt and kola nuts along the niger river and established itself as the world’s largest producer of gold.
- Explains that mansa musa embraced islam and brought his religion to the empire during the 14th century. his pilgrimage to mecca drew the attention of many muslims and europeans.
- Explains that after mansa's death, mali went into a decline. ibn buttuta was outraged to see the empire did not adhere to orthodox islamic customs and practices.
- Explains that mali's decline continued into the 15th century until it was taken over by the songhai empire, which held power until internal and external pressures forced them to give up power to the moroccans.
- Explains how the malinke empire continued to decline and the european presence became influential in western africa. in 1892, france took control of mali, known as ‘french sudan,’ and continued its takeover of malian cities until 1898.
- Narrates how mali and senegal joined forces in 1946 to form the malian federation, but after independence from french rule, the country was taken over by modibo keita, who ran a one-party socialist government.
- Explains that mali is one of the 25 poorest countries in the world and relies on foreign aid to help the 16 million people that call the country home.
- Explains that french is now the official language of mali, but the mande language is still used by a few ethnic groups. the french also pushed christianity on the malians during their time in power.
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- Analyzes how kankan musa's "caravans of gold" underlines the importance of timbuktu because it concentrated on african scholarship, politics, teaching theology, and islamic law.
- Concludes that the video "caravans of gold" by basil davidson embodies critical points to vindicate why africa was such an intricate nation.
926 wordsRead More - Sundiata: An Epic of Old Malianalytical essayThe great Machiavelli once said, "Whoever wishes to foresee the future must consult the past; for human events ever resemble those of preceding times." Indeed, the study of history is important as history does seem to repeat itself. Many people in today's society learn about the past from textbooks and other books, as these are of easy access. Is this really the best way to learn about the past? The people of ancient Africa did not think so, as they had special people called "griots"who passed the people's traditions and history down orally from generation to generation. One such griot, Mamadou Kouyate, recalls the story of the most famous ruler in African history, Sundiata, in D.T. Niane's book Sundiata: An Epic of Old Mali. This book has become an entertaining, yet scrutinized, source about the history of Mali and it's surrounding areas. Much scrutiny of this tale comes from those who question the validity of the griots, though Mamadou Kouyate is quick to point out that "[His] word is pure and free of all untruth; it is the word of [his] father...griots do not know what lying is" (Niane 1). If the context of the epic is true, then there are many valuable things to be learned from it including the traditions and customs of ancient Africa, and how Sundiata came to rule over such a large area. Based upon a reading of the text, it is easy to see that Sundiata's political power was not based soley on religion, as he used many conventional methods to gain and remain in power.
In this essay, the author
- Opines that the study of history is important as history does seem to repeat itself. many people in today's society learn about the past from textbooks and other books.
- Explains that sundiata used alliances to gain political power before he was born. the people of ancient mali respected the "soothsayers" who foretold the future greatly.
- Analyzes how the prince's friendships grew into alliances when he was an adult, which helped him defeat soumaoro and become mansa.
- Opines that the study of history is important as history does seem to repeat itself. many people in today's society learn about the past from textbooks and other books.
- Explains that sundiata used alliances to gain political power before he was born. the people of ancient mali respected the "soothsayers" who foretold the future greatly.
- Analyzes how the prince's friendships grew into alliances when he was an adult, which helped him defeat soumaoro and become mansa.
- Explains that sundiata's alliances with neighboring princes proved vital in the military aspect of conquering.
- Analyzes how sundiata used intelligence to gain power. he aligned his troops in a square formation that allowed them to win decisive battles against soumaoro's forces.
- Analyzes the flaws in the theory that sundiata's power was based soley on religion, namely islam.
- Analyzes how the griots of ancient africa are sincere in their efforts to consistently pass down their countries' histories, including mamadou kouyate's words about sundiata and ancient mali.
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