Part 2: The Rise of the Empire of Mali The Lost Kingdom of Timbuktu: A Tale of Ancient Mali

The rise of the Empire of Mali began in the early 13th century when the Malian Empire was established by the Mandinka people. The Mandinka people were a West African ethnic group that had migrated from the Ghana Empire. The Malian Empire was a powerful and wealthy kingdom that stretched from the Atlantic Ocean to the Niger River.

The first ruler of the Malian Empire was Sundiata Keita, who is often referred to as the Lion King of Mali. Sundiata was a great warrior and a wise leader. He was able to unite many of the small kingdoms in the region under his rule. He also established a strong central government and a powerful army.

Under Sundiata's rule, the Empire of Mali flourished. He built a strong economy based on trade, agriculture, and gold mining. He also encouraged the spread of Islam throughout the region.

The Empire of Mali reached its peak under the rule of Mansa Musa, who was Sundiata's great-grandson. Mansa Musa was an incredibly wealthy ruler who made a famous pilgrimage to Mecca in 1324. He was also a great patron of the arts, and he built many mosques and universities throughout the Empire.

Mansa Musa's reign was also marked by the rise of the city of Timbuktu. Timbuktu was an important center of trade and learning, and it became a major hub of Islamic scholarship. It was also a major center of the trans-Saharan gold trade.

The Empire of Mali eventually declined in the 15th century due to internal conflicts and the rise of the Songhai Empire. However, the legacy of the Empire of Mali lives on in the culture and history of the region. The city of Timbuktu is still a major center of Islamic scholarship, and the Malian Empire is remembered as one of the most powerful and influential empires in West African history.