Background
What year was the Mali Empire created?
1230 CE
What religion was the Mali Empire?
Islam.
Why was education a key to spreading Islam?
Taught Quran (Islamic book), trained Islamic students.
What was the purpose of coming-of-age ceremonies in Mali?
To mark the transition from childhood to adulthood.
Who was the most famous ruler of the Mali Empire?
Mansa Musa.
Where is Mali located?
Mali is in West Africa.
Who was the leader?
Mansa Musa.
What role did Islamic scholars play in Mali’s education system?
They taught reading, writing, religion, and sometimes math and science.
Who participated in coming-of-age ceremonies?
Kids around age 12–14 went through it together.
How did the Mali Empire become powerful?
Through control of trade routes and natural resources.
What were the main sources of wealth for the Mali Empire?
Gold and salt were used for trade in Mali.
What is the Hajj?
It is a travel that all Islams are expected to make at least once in their life time.
What was Timbuktu famous for during the Mali Empire?
It was a major center for learning and had many schools and libraries.
What kind of training did boys go through during the ceremony?
hey learned survival skills, community rules, and warrior training.
What type of government did the Mali Empire have?
A monarchy with local governors.
How did the Mali Empire decline?
The Mali Empire declined due to wars and the rise of the Songhai Empire.
What role did religion play in the Mali empire?
It kept faith throughout Mecca.
What subjects were taught in Mali’s schools, and how were they used practically?
Astronomy (for farming), medicine (treating diseases), and math (tax calculations).
How were girls prepared during their coming-of-age?
They were taught about womanhood, family roles, and traditions.
What kind of buildings were used for learning and worship in Mali?
Mosques and schools.
What was the importance of trade routes in the Mali Empire?
The Mali Empire controlled key trade routes, connecting West Africa with North Africa.
Who made Mali Islam?
Mansa Musa is believed to have brought the Islam religion to Mali.
What were two effects of Mansa Musa’s pilgrimage to Mecca in 1324?
1. Transformed Timbuktu into a place of Islamic scholarship
2. Built places like Sankore University
Why were elders important in these ceremonies?
They guided the process, taught lessons, and gave blessings.
What were the two main goods traded in Mali?
Gold and salt.