Mali Empire

The Mali Empire (c. 1235-1600), founded by Sundiata Keita after the Battle of Kirina, was the largest empire in West African history at its zenith. Mansa Musa (r. 1312-37) - reportedly the wealthiest individual in history - made a legendary pilgrimage to Mecca (1324-25) and patronised scholarship in Timbuktu. Mali controlled the gold and salt trade across the western Sahara before declining under Tuareg raids and Songhai expansion.

• Existed: 1235 CE – 1600 CE
• Type: Entity
• Government: Monarchy (Mansa — sacral kingship with Islamic legitimacy overlay)
• Capital: Niani (→ varies in decline)