Mansa Musa and the Kingdom of Mali

Do Now Salt comes from the north, gold from the south, but the word of God and the treasures of wisdom are only to be found in Timbuktu. An old West African proverb 1. What is a proverb? 2. What does the proverb imply can be found in Timbuktu? 3. After reading the proverb, look at the map on page 8 of your packet- what is significant about the location of the city of Timbuktu?

Do Now- Discussion 1. Proverb- a short saying or expression that implies a basic truth 2. Word of God- Religion Wisdom- Learning, education 3. Center of trade http://fga.freac.fsu.edu/pdf/nafrica/mansamusa.pdf

Trade in the Sahara Villages begin to trade their surplus of one product for other products Trade networks develop linking different regions in Africa, across the Sahara desert to civilizations along the Mediterranean and Southwest Asia Large caravans with more than 1000 camels carry goods Gold and salt dominate the Sahara trade Why was salt such a valuable product? - prevent dehydration - preserve food Trade grows → Cities develop → Powerful monarchs emerge 1st Powerful Kingdom: Ghana (“land of gold”)

Remember… MANSA MUSA MADE MALI MUSLIM

Primary Source Quote “Here (in Timbuktu) are great store of doctors, judges, priests, and other learned men, that are bountifully maintained at the king’s cost and charges. And hither are brought diverse manuscript or written books out of Barbarie (North Africa), which are sold for more money than any other merchandise.” Leo Africanus, History and Description of Africa (1526) How does this description reflect the value of knowledge in Timbuktu? Intellectual, educated are paid for by the king More money is spent on diverse books than on any other products

Video Questions 1. How did the kingdoms of West Africa become rich? Controlled the salt/gold trade 2. What happened when a strong empire was not in control of the trade routes? It became dangerous- trade suffered 3. The most powerful ruler of the Mali Empire was Mansa Musa 4. How was Islam first introduced to West Africa? Through trade (cultural diffusion) 5. Why did Mansa Musa travel to Mecca? The Hajj- pilgrimage to Mecca (5th Pillar of Islam)

Video Questions 6. What was the impact of Mansa Musa’s trip on places like Cairo, Egypt? People learned of Mali’s great wealth Gave away so much gold- reduced the value 7. Who did Mansa Musa bring back with him? Artists (mosques) and scholars (teach the beliefs of Islam) 8. Timbuktu became the center of the - Gold/salt trade - Islamic culture and teaching 9. What do you think was the main idea of the video clip?

Assignment A British historian once remarked that "Perhaps in the future, there will be some African history to teach. But at present there is none. There is only the history of Europeans in Africa. The rest is darkness." You travel back in time to 1330 AD and the city of Timbuktu. Write a response to this statement in which you prove that Africa was home to powerful and prosperous kingdoms! You should be creative and use at least 6 of the terms from below: Gold Salt Islam Mansa Musa Timbuktu Hajj Scholars Mosque Trade Routes