History of Mali

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History of Mali
Ghana Empire (c. 700 – c. 1200)
Soninke people Koumbi Saleh Kingdom of Diarra
Gao Empire (9th century–1430)
Mali Empire (c. 1235–1670)
Battle of Kirina Kouroukan Fouga Twelve Doors of Mali Sundiata Keita Musa I of Mali Great Mosque of Djenné Sankore Madrasah
Songhai Empire (1464–1591)
Sonni Ali Askia Mohammed Battle of Tondibi
Post-Imperial, 1591–1892
Pashalik of Timbuktu Bamana Empire Kaarta Kénédougou Kingdom Massina Empire Toucouleur Empire Wassoulou Empire
French colonization
French West Africa Mali Federation
After Independence
Republic of Mali Mali War
Related topics
Years in Mali History of West Africa History of Timbuktu
Mali portal
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Mali is located in West Africa. The history of the territory corresponding to modern-day Mali can be divided into multiple periods:

• Pre-Imperial Mali, before the 13th century
• The era of the Mali Empire and later the Songhai Empire, from the 13th to the 16th centuries

The present borders of Mali correspond to those of French Sudan, established in 1891. These boundaries are colonial, grouping together regions from both the Sudan and Saharan zones. As a result, Mali is a multiethnic country, with the Mandé peoples forming a significant portion of the population.

Mali's history is deeply shaped by its strategic role in Trans-Saharan trade, connecting West Africa with the Maghreb. The city of Timbuktu is representative of this legacy; located on the southern edge of the Sahara near the Niger River, it became a major hub of commerce, scholarship, and culture from the 13th century onward. This growth was particularly pronounced during the rise of the Mali Empire, followed by the expansion of the Songhai Empire, which emerged as a dominant power in West Africa.