In eight pages this paper examines Mali's ancient history in a consideration of its 13th century origins until its 15th century collapse and the role played by economics and society. There are sources cited in the bibliography.
Name of Research Paper File: AM2_PPafMali.rtf
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considered the second African Sudanic kingdom (Library of Congress Country Studies, 2003). Located in the Sahel, the savannah region south of the Sahara, The Mali empire was founded in
the thirteenth century by a people called the Malinka who broke away from the first Sudanic kingdom of Ghana (Hooker, 2003; Library of Congress Country Studies, 2003). With leaders
like Sundiata at its head empire was expansionist and enjoyed not only a rich culture but also phenomenal prosperity. The Mali empire would extend over a period of three
centuries. Many of those same factors which led to its rapid advancements can also be attributed to its eventual decline and replacement at the hands of the Songhai Empire.
Mali economy is indeed a thing of historical awe. The kingdoms location on the banks of the Niger and Senegal rivers made
the establishment of many port cities a critical factor in her economic success. This same location afforded her vast fishing resources and fertile valleys in which to raise a
diversity of crops, crops which fueled both her internal needs and served as a major component of her trade with other countries. Mali trade centered not only around agricultural
products, however, but also included ivory, and gold (Library of Congress Country Studies, 2003). The Library of Congress Country Studies (2003) notes:
"Sundiata and his successors took over Ghanas role in the Saharan trade and in the administration and collection of tribute from vast
stretches of the Sudan and the Sahel". The role Mali assumed included not only