The Mali Empire — its reach into Senegal

13th c. – 14th century · Tambacounda

In the 13th century, Sundiata Keita founded the Mali Empire, one of the greatest powers of medieval Africa. This empire stretched as far as eastern Senegal, Casamance and Upper Gambia. Its most famous ruler, Mansa Musa, made a pilgrimage to Mecca in 1324, astonishing the whole Mediterranean world with his generosity. The empire fostered trade and the spread of Islam throughout the region.

Sources

• Persée — Madina Ly, « L'empire du Mali aux XVe et XVIe siècles » (Mélanges Raymond Mauny, SFHOM, 1981)
• World History Encyclopedia — l'Empire du Mali

Kingdom fact sheet : L’empire du Mali.

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