THE VICISSITUDES OF MALI’S EMPIRE
Abstract: This article begins
with a discussion of Mali’s great dynasties comprising three main empires: Mali’s
Empires, Ghana’s Empires
and Songhai Empires.
The second part examines how these empires which
occupied the Savannah region influenced it with the gold trade, Islamic
scholarship and manuscripts. These manuscripts exist in Malian main
institutions such as Ali Ahamad Institute in Gao and University of Timbuktu today. The
article then examines
the empires’ rise
and the impact
of its fall
on the French colonial
penetration of Mali in the 1850s. Both developments have an interesting historical
setting which this article examine. First, the historical development of Mali’s
dynasties; and second, the historical development of French slave trade and
colonial agenda in Mali
where the foreign
regime conspired and
forced Malian dynasties
to fall. Indeed this factor was
considered as reasons for their fall. Different tribes of Mali which existed at
the time were in fact the base for the origins of Mali’s empires. In this ancient era, they mainly concentrated
on different business interactions and
religious activities for national interests and Islam throughout the Savannah,
which was much influenced by their trade and transactions for Mali’s economic
integration including Islamization of the region.
Author: Chaibou Fodie Makan
Drame, Mohammad Redzuan Othman
Journal Code: jpsejarah&umumgg130005
