New
New
Year 7

The successful expansion of medieval Mali

I can evaluate the different reasons for the growth of medieval Mali.

New
New
Year 7

The successful expansion of medieval Mali

I can evaluate the different reasons for the growth of medieval Mali.

Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Mali expanded throughout the Sahel during the 13th century.
  2. Mali used its superior army to conquer its neighbours, such as the Jolof in the west and the Songhai in the east.
  3. Mali had a successful governmental structure - it was a federation and the Mansa installed a farimba in each kingdom
  4. Mali’s wealth was built on its access to gold and salt.
  5. The Malian elite used gold to enrich themselves and enhance the empire.

Keywords

  • Trade - trade means the exchange of goods

  • Federation - a federation is a country made up of individual states that have control over their own local matters, but are controlled by a central government

  • Mansa - Mansa is the word used in the Mali Empire to refer to the king or emperor

Common misconception

Successful empires dominate and subjugate the conquered people within the empire in order to keep them loyal.

The Mali aristocracy adopted a successful 'hands off' approach to governance, allowing the different kingdoms within the empire a great degree of autonomy.

At the start of the lesson, ask students to write a list of what they think are good characteristics of a successful empire. At the end of the lesson, get them to tick off any features that the Mali Empire embodied from their list.
Teacher tip

Content guidance

  • Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour
  • Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering

Supervision

Adult supervision recommended

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2024), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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6 Questions

Q1.
Match the words with their definitions. Write the correct letter in each box.
Correct Answer:pilgrimage,a holy journey

a holy journey

Correct Answer:Hajj, the Muslim pilgrimage to Mecca

the Muslim pilgrimage to Mecca

Correct Answer:trade,the exchange of goods

the exchange of goods

Q2.
In which year did Mansa Musa embark on the Hajj?
Correct answer: 1324
1312
1327
Q3.
Which city turned into one of the most important centres of Islamic learning after the Hajj?
Cairo
Correct answer: Timbuktu
Sahara
Gao
Q4.
How many years did it take for the price of gold to return to its previous level in Egypt?
More than 10 years
Correct answer: More than 12 years
More than 1 year
Q5.
Who returned with Mansa Musa from the Hajj?
Correct answer: Abu al-Sahili
Correct answer: Four of the descendents of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)
Sundiata Keita
Q6.
What was the impact of the creation of the Djinguereber Mosque?
Correct answer: This style was used extensively thereafter.
The design showcased the gold of the Mali Empire.
The design featured Mansa Musa, an idea that was used across the Mali Empire.

6 Questions

Q1.
A country made up of individual states that have control over their own local matters, but are controlled by a central government is known as a
Correct Answer: federation, Federation
Q2.
How did Mali conquer its neighbours, such as the Jolof in the west and the Songhai in the east. Select the correct statement.
Correct answer: Mali used its superior army to conquer its neighbours.
Mali used its gold to conquer its neighbours.
Mali used its supply of salt to conquer its neighbours.
Q3.
Why was the Malian military so impressive? Select all of the statements that are correct.
Correct answer: The Mandinke were expert blacksmiths who made strong iron weapons.
Correct answer: The Mandinke were excellent horsemen.
Correct answer: Medieval African arrows had poison tips.
Medieval African bows were more powerful than those used in Asia or Europe.
Q4.
What was the role of a farimba? Select the statements that are correct
Correct answer: to make sure that the king did not act against the interests of the empire
Correct answer: to be completely loyal to the Mansa
travel to kingdoms within the empire comparing the work of different Mansas
Q5.
Upon which of the following two commodities did the Mali Empire generate incredible amounts of wealth?
Correct answer: salt
Correct answer: gold
books
diamonds
Q6.
How did the Malian elite used gold? Select all of the statements that are correct.
Correct answer: for ornamentation, such as golden bows and arrows
Correct answer: to pay for the construction of buildings
Correct answer: to demonstrate their own power and wealth

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