Mali Empire

Mali Empire, one of the great Sudanese empires of West Africa. Founded in the 13th century, it reached its height under Mansa Musa, who reigned 1312–37. He and his successors were devout Muslims, and the towns of Mali and Timbuktu became centers both of the caravan trade and of Islamic culture. The empire declined in the 15th century, mainly because of expansion of the Songhai empire of Gao.

See also: Mansa Musa.