13th to 14th century African civilisations/mali
... portion of the wealth of the empire derived from the Bure goldfields. The Trans-Saharan trade routes enabled Mali to gain wealth and power. Even though the rulers of Mali taxed the trade that came through the empire, they never took direct control over the production of the gold. The miners of the goldfields kept the rulers out and when they tried to interfere with their mining they stopped production. The Mali Empire reached the height in the 14th century. Monarchy was recovered in Mali in the 14th century from the weak end of the 13th century through the ruler Mansa Musa. Mansa Musa was the most legendary of the Malian kings. When he came to power Mali had already had strong control over the trade routes to the southern lands. There was Gold from the south, and salt from the Sahara. The Trans-Saharan trade route was based mostly on gold, salt, ivory, kola nuts, and slaves. The city’s wealth relied greatly on these items. The cavalry shells become their currency at this point. It was a way of the government to collect their “tributes” easier. Mansa Musa expanded Mali’s control, even to the city of Timbuktu. He also defeated the western Sudan with trade and law. This was a big defeat for Musa and helped him be seen as one of the greatest rulers. With Mansa Musa as ruler Timbuktu grew in wealth and intellect. It became a meeting for great poets, artists, and scholars. Mansa Musa also brought attention to Mali for his famous pilgrimage to Mecca in 1324-5. When Musa arrived in Cairo he spent so lavishly, by giving away so many gold gifts and making gold no longer rare, that the value of gold fell drastically. Musa’s extravagant caravan made the Mali Empire known for its wealth and power. He became so famous by the 14th century that Musa is drawn in a European map represented by holding a nugget of gold. After visiting the royal cities of Mecca, Musa set out to build great mosques, great libraries, and universities throughout his kingdom. Timbuktu is most famous for its buildings of religious as well as intellectual importance. Mansa Musa had always encouraged the development of learning and expanding Islam. Because of Musa’s efforts, Timbuktu thrived as a commercial center. Much of the learning of Islam was centered there as well. Ibn Battuta traveled many years throughout the Muslim world of Asia. He visited Mali and his account of his journey has become a major source for our knowledge of 14th century Mali. On his travels through Mali, he noticed the women having great beauty and higher status than men. He was shocked to see the women not wearing veils or talking to men that aren’t there husbands, even being naked. The role of women in these societies was quite different than other Muslim regions. Ibn Battuta also believed the king of Mali was not very hospitable. Upon his stay, he did not see the king because of his sickness. Ibn Battuta recalls, “I stood before the sultan and said to him, I have indeed traveled in the lands of the world. I have met their kings. I have been in your country 4 months and you have given me no hospitality, and nor given me anything. What shall I say about you before the Sultans?” Finally Mansa Suleiman sends Battuta a gift. He claimed he did not know Battuta was in town. The king gave him 3 pieces of beef and sour milk. Ibn Battuta has traveled many places and has received much hospitality and gifts, but he was disappointed in this gift because it did not live up to his standards. The king also ordered a house to stay in and gave him an allowance. Ibn Khaldun gives his descriptions of the western African civilizations by interviewing the merchants as well as interviewing the scholars who were traveling there. He would gather oral tradition and writing from the scholars. Ibn Khaldun recognized the rise and fall of dynasties. He noticed through Mali; how a society can be at the greatest height, but still fall because of societies social aspects. He says, “It is a group feeling that makes possible all great social achievements, from religious reforms to the founding and defense of dynasties. Its necessity also ensures that social achievements never last, because success puts an end to group feeling by liberating desire and reducing the need for mutual responsibility.” The social life of the West African kingdoms depended solely on the ruler. Al-Umari witnessed the king as the focal point. No one was allowed to wear shoes in his presence. Anyone who sneezes while the king is holding court is severely beaten. The people wear turbans which are tied under their skin. The government of Mali had developed a political organization. A number of literate Muslims were employed at courts as scribes and treasurers. They were to carry out most of the administrative work. The mansa kept a large standing army. They had horseman as well as a large number of soldiers on foot with armed spears and bows. The army was used to protect the empire from outside attack. They also patrolled the trading routes and ensured that the district chiefs paid their tribute to the king. The main source of royal income besides tribute was a tax on the trade. They taxed any product ...