Mansa Musa ruled Mali from 1312 to 1337, 27 years. He won fame as the ruler in control of the world's richest gold mines. He made a pilgrimage to Mecca around 1324 to 1325 when he spent large quantities of gold. This journey gave him more fame because more people learnt of his wealth. He became noted for his attemps to spread Islam throughout his kingdom.
Sunni Ali was a Songhai prince who declared
Gao's independence in 1435. Gao was ruled by Mali and had
to pay taxes to it. When Mansa Musa died, Gao and Songhai
stopped paying taxes to Mali. This is why Gao's independence
was declared. "A new Songhai empire thus grew out of a region
that had once been part of Mali, just as Mali had grown out
of a state in the empire of Ghana." Mali came under attack from all sides in the
1400's; the Berbers took over the trade and learning centers
of Timbuktu and Walata in the mid 1400's, and Songhai made
its move and conquered the already weakened empire under
Sunni Ali's leadership. Though Sunni was a Muslim, his son was not.
After Ali's death, his son took the throne and was overthrown
because he was intolerant of Muslims. While Sunni Ali was
in charge, Songhai prospered and had many victories. Sundiata Keita was the founder of the Mali Empire. Sundiata lived in Kangaba, a small state on the upper Niger river, and left it for no known reason. Some reasons for his leaving are that he wanted to leave to avoid his jelous half brother or he may have benn exiled by the Sumanguru who killed Sundiata's father.
In 1235 A.D. Sundiata assembled a coalition of Manlinke
chiefdoms and defeated Sumanguru. Sundiata was a stronger magician and
his
victory marked the founding of Mali. After defeating all others who
apposed
him,
Sundiata banded up his men to establish a strong centralized empire.
Sundiata ruled Mali for 25 years and expanded its boundaries by
taking control of the West African gold fields. By controling the trade
routes
and
gold fields, Mali's economic strength increased. The capital of Mali was
established
on Niani, Sundita's home region.
After Sundiata died in about 1260 A.D., his son, Uli, took over Mali
as the king. Up till now, Sundiata is recognized as a national hero.Sunni Ali
Sundiata