Historical Significance Then & Now
Ancient Mali was historically significant for a number of reasons - it thrived off of wealth, strength, and prosperity. Mali was one of the richest and most economically powerful empires of its time, due to its massive exports to Europe and other countries. Both leaders Sundiata and Mansa Musa were main reasons for the rise and success of the Mali Empire, due to their strong leadership. The acceptance of Islam by the rulers of Mali, along with Ghana and Songhai, around 1000 C.E. encouraged trade between the empires and North Africa. "The introduction of Islam also instituted more cosmopolitan social structures, such as universities, world religions and, especially, centralized state systems and military forces." What distinguished the empires of West Africa, particularly Mali and later Songhai, was their ability to centralize political and military power while allowing the local rulers to maintain their identities along side Islam.