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Unfolding the Mystery of Timbuktu Clue Sheet 1- Student Reading LEGENDARY KINGS of MALI the Caravan Trade Existed Long Before Th

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Unfolding the Mystery of Timbuktu Clue Sheet 1- Student Reading LEGENDARY KINGS of MALI the Caravan Trade Existed Long Before Th Unfolding the Mystery of Timbuktu Clue Sheet 1- Student Reading LEGENDARY KINGS OF MALI The caravan trade existed long before the founding of Timbuktu. Dromedary, or one- humped, camels had been used as pack animals in the desert since about 200 AD. The kingdom of Ghana was the first of three great West African kingdoms, which grew rich from control of the caravan trade of salt for gold. This kingdom’s greatest period was between 700 and 1000 AD. Although the Tuaregs founded Timbuktu in 1100 AD, they were nomads, who kept only loose control of the city. As the kingdom of Ghana began to fall to Moslem invaders from the north, a second great West African kingdom developed. The legendary Mandingo warrior Sundiata fought fiercely to establish the kingdom of Mali in 1235. He gained control of more territory, established a stable government, improved the practices in agriculture, and controlled the trade in the area. Legends of Sundiata’s courage, wisdom, and greatness can be found in many books. The Mandingo tribe had accepted the religion of Islam a few hundred years earlier. The main beliefs of this religion are called the "Five Pillars of Islam." They state (1) belief in one God, whose prophet is Muhammad, (2) prayer five times a day facing Mecca, (3) sharing wealth with the needy, (4) rules about fasting, and (5) making at least one pilgrimage to Mecca. The rulers of the kingdom of Mali took the title Mansa, which means "emperor" in Arabic. The most famous of these rulers was Mansa Musa (Arabic for Moses). During his 25 years as ruler, he extended the boundaries of the kingdom, encouraged learning and the arts (art, architecture, and literature), and set an example as a devout Muslim. In 1324, Mansa Musa made his hajj, or pilgrimage, to Mecca. This journey put Mali, Timbuktu, and Mansa Musa on the map! A map made for the Catalan Atlas of King Charles in 1375 helped spread the stories of the riches and power of this kingdom. The story goes that 500 slaves, each one bearing "a staff of gold" that weighed 5-6 pounds, led the great caravan across the Sahara. Mansa Musa himself supposedly rode a white Arabian steed and was accompanied by as many as 60,000 followers. There were 80-100 camel-loads of gold dust, each load weighing about 300 pounds. The caravan passed through Walata and Tuat on its way across the desert to Cairo, where the good Muslim Mansa Musa gave generously to the poor and made presents to others. It is told that there was so much gold in circulation that its value fell and had not recovered even 12 years later. Mansa Musa visited the holy cities of Mecca and Medina and again was generous with his gold. He asked his new friend, the Arab poet and architect Abu-Ishaq Ibrahim-es- Saheli, and other scholars to return with him. After they returned to Mali, Mansa Musa had es-Saheli build a mosque (Islamic place of worship) at Gao, an auditorium at Niani, and a mosque as well as a palace at Timbuktu. Es-Saheli introduced the use of burnt brick (red brick) as a building material to this region. Mansa Musa’s pilgrimage resulted in the spread of tales of wonder and glory about the kingdom of Mali. The Sankore University of Timbuktu attracted many scholars. Trade increased. The treasury was overflowing. Curiosity about the region grew..
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