The African leaders Sundiata and Mansa Musa accomplished many achievements during their rules. A ruler named Samanguru killed Sundiata’s eleven brothers. Luckily, Sundiata made it out of the attack and survived to have a successful war against Samanguru. This war, called the Battle of Kirina, led to Sundiata becoming the king of Mali. Immediately, he made his army stronger. Trade had fallen off during the war between Ghana and Mali. Sundiata wanted the trade to continue. The northern part of the Niger River, where plenty of gold came from, was in Mali. Therefore, the people had a lot of gold, but they lacked salt. Given that, Sundiata controlled the gold and salt trade. He also made some of his people work in the fields to grow crops. A later
For example, in the penultimate chapter, Niani, there are many mentions of trade and commerce during the reign of Sundiata. The first is on page 82 "If you want salt, go to Niani, for Niani is the camping place for the Sahel caravans. " This quotes, and the other similar quotes evidence that external trade flourished under Sundiata, and his capital of Niani became a trade hub.
The Mali Empire became a site of cultural exchange because of their immense wealth. According to an article “ Mali and the world Document C: Section from the Catalan Atlas” by Abraham Cresques created in 1375, it stated, “This king is the richest and most noble lord of all of this region due to the abundance of gold
Part of the reason the kingdoms in West Africa became so prosperous was because of its trading routes plus the help of Mansa Musa. Mansa Musa is shown seated on his throne in a map of Africa from the Catalan Atlas of 1375 (Doc B). As the overlooker of the Trans Saharan trade route, Mansa Musa holds up the gold as he sits in his royal throne to exhibit how much
Worked with rough and steep terrain and made farming developments such as terraces to work with the land they inhabited. There were two types of land, sandy plateaus and wetlands made a harsh environment for crops. Aztec Empire
Another result of the Trans-Saharan trade and the increasing spread of Islam is that Mansa Musa, the king of Mali was able to become extremely wealthy and rule over a large empire. Mansa Musa was a very wealthy man who
By having no tolerance for crime, the rulers had very successful kingdoms with complete control over them(Doc. 6). Whether it be the close proximity to other parts of the world, the barren deserts, or the rainforests, Africa’s people have been aided in their success by the continent’s natural advantages. A map showing trade routes, this document is the perfect example of Africa’s prime location. Right near Europe and Asia, trading routes in northern and eastern Africa flourished(Doc 1). Although this is another trade route map, it gives us more insight on the routes that were used to get to other parts of the world, such as Asia.
They exchanged products with people from different regions. The merchants came to distant places with items of great value, such as cocoa, gems, cotton or precious feathers. The book displays this aspect when the king was rewarding his artisans for what he ordered them. He said, “Give each of these, my grandfathers, a portion of various rich cloths, and huipiles and skirts for my grandmothers; and cotton, chiles, corn, squash seeds and beans, the same amount to each”
Not only did Mansa Musa give others an interesting life, he lead an quite intriguing one of his own. Musa was the fourteenth century emperor of the Mali Empire. The name Mansa, meaning King of Kings, was given to Musa when he became emperor and ascended the throne in 1312. He was born in c.1280 and died of natural causes in c. 1337.
During Siddhartha’s path to enlightenment, he meets a woman named Kamala whom he shows interest in, but he realizes he cannot love her. Siddhartha says to Kamala, “Perhaps people like us cannot love. Ordinary people can love– that is their secret” (73). In order to reach enlightenment, one needs to be able to love; however, Siddhartha, on his journey, has drained so much life out of himself, that he is unable to give off love to a woman he likes. Siddhartha and Kamala are different from ordinary people because they want something else from the world.
There was a high demand for luxurious goods that were special to each region which caused a great increase in trade. This also occurred on the Trans-Saharan trade routes with gold. Religion also played a big factor in why trade was increasing in these two trade routes. Increases in technology helped trade become more efficient and faster. For example, the compass helped people trade along the Indian Ocean sea lanes.
As for salt, it was seen as a major resource for its nutritional and preservation qualities. It was a vital resource that these Mali people used. The Niger river allowed the Mali empire to trade easily, as the current would calmly drift them into other civilizations. Both empires also utilized camels as the river was not always accessible. All in all these trade routes allowed these civilizations to expand their wealth, and distance of trade.
In Sundiata, women played many roles from Mothers (raising their children) to ones filled with jealousy and hatred, to hard-working and at times oppressed beings. The responsibility of a woman being a mother comes or should come natural. Therefore a mother would do any and everything to protect their child. Sologon, whom is the mother of Sundiata portrayed this trait of a woman by fleeing with her son Sundiata to Timbuktu to avoid him being killed. Sologons fleeing was brought about by the jealousy of Sassouma Béréte, who had plotted on her son being heir to the throne.
Sogolon Kedjou is a powerful character in the epic first and foremost because she conceives and births Sundiata, the founder of the Mali Empire. Her most important role is that of a mother, which can be problematic when discussing the importance and influence of women in the epic because it emphasizes fertility and the female body over the female mind and internal powers beyond conception. With regards to the importance of conception and fertility in women, there is a consistent theme of male ownership over females throughout the epic. It should be noted however that Sogolon represents a strong female character that is arguably responsible for the creation of a great empire. For without Sogolon and her great powers, Sundiata would not exist
Babylon was the place where all of this trade most likely occurred, since it was a political and religious capital of
The king of Mali and they called him Mansa Musa. His original name was Musa 1 but once he became king his people started to call him Mansa Musa and Mansa means “Sultan” or King. Mansa Musa ruled over Mali and Mali was a nation with fabulous wealth, during his rule he has built many monuments, mosques, and also schools all over his empire. He mostly famous from his 1324 pilgrimage and