Great Mosque of Djenné in Mali
Mali Empire
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Founded by Sundiata Keita, otherwise known as the Lion King, the empire was a major African civilization that blossomed between the 13th and 16th centuries.
Located near present-day West Africa, the empire reached its peak under Mansa Musa in the early 1300s. Musa made his fortune through Mali’s supply of gold, salt and ivory to most of the world during that time.
He was estimated to have been worth the equivalent of $400 billion in today’s currency, which makes him the richest man on earth.
In 1324, he became the first Muslim ruler to make the four-thousand-mile pilgrimage, where he met rulers from the Middle East and Europe, putting Mali on European maps. He brought back scholars from his pilgrimage to improve Islamic education while building many mosques that stand till now.
He also played a huge role in the development of Timbuktu and its famous university, the University of Timbuktu, which has since been a major learning institution for Africa and the rest of the world.
In 1593, the empire was invaded by Morocco which eventually led to its collapse.
