Political Organization
Mansa Musa
Mali was founded by Sundiata Keita whose rule lasted for 25 years. He originially founded a central government that kept order and peace throughout the entire kingdom.
The Mali Empire was incredibly strong and successful due to its solid political structure. In spite of the empire's vast size, it was united under the mansa's (also known as the leader or king) rule where he was able to control and make sure all laws were obeyed and all taxes were paid. The mansa assigned administrators to different levels: the village master, who administrated at a local level, which included a village, town, or city, the county master, and the province master, who was overseen by the mansa. The imperial powers were situated in Djenne, Timbuktu and Gao because of their commercial importance. Although the mansa was the main leader, mainly everyone within the empire had freedom to a certain degree, as long as they obeyed all laws.
Under the rule of Mansa Musa, the most notable king, the empire was divided into provinces with its own governor and towns that were led by a mochrif or mayor. He also ruled for 25 years.
The Mali Empire was incredibly strong and successful due to its solid political structure. In spite of the empire's vast size, it was united under the mansa's (also known as the leader or king) rule where he was able to control and make sure all laws were obeyed and all taxes were paid. The mansa assigned administrators to different levels: the village master, who administrated at a local level, which included a village, town, or city, the county master, and the province master, who was overseen by the mansa. The imperial powers were situated in Djenne, Timbuktu and Gao because of their commercial importance. Although the mansa was the main leader, mainly everyone within the empire had freedom to a certain degree, as long as they obeyed all laws.
Under the rule of Mansa Musa, the most notable king, the empire was divided into provinces with its own governor and towns that were led by a mochrif or mayor. He also ruled for 25 years.
Religious Organization
Sundiata Kieta and Mansa Musa introduced and spread Islam within the empire which led to the establishment of universities, world religions, state systems and military forces. Islam was integrated with native religions and rituals and this is probably the reason why the empire could remain so united. The government listened to people and accepted their way of living and ruling, even though this could differ between villages.
Social Organization
The top of the social structure in the Mali Empire was the mansa or ruler, who controlled all the people within it. Next were the priests, and below that was the griots, which are historians and storytellers. Below the griots were the lowest social class, the slaves. While everyone in the empire had freedom, the slaves had the least of it. Slaves were usually women and they were mentally and physically abused.
The founder of the empire, Sundiata, assigned specific occupations to particular kin groups and developed a social organization similar to a caste system. With this, no one was able to choose their destiny. For example, if one was born into a family of warriors, they would be destined to become a warrior as well. This also worked for the ruling family. If one was born into the family of the mansa, they would be destined to be apart of the ruling dynasty.
The founder of the empire, Sundiata, assigned specific occupations to particular kin groups and developed a social organization similar to a caste system. With this, no one was able to choose their destiny. For example, if one was born into a family of warriors, they would be destined to become a warrior as well. This also worked for the ruling family. If one was born into the family of the mansa, they would be destined to be apart of the ruling dynasty.