History of Mali
| History of Mali |
|---|
| Ghana Empire (c. 700 – c. 1200) |
| Gao Empire (9th century–1430) |
| Mali Empire (c. 1235–1670) |
| Songhai Empire (1464–1591) |
| Post-Imperial, 1591–1892 |
| French colonization |
| After Independence |
| Related topics |
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| Mali portal |
Mali is located in West Africa. The history of the territory can be divided into multiple periods:
- Pre-Imperial Mali, before the 13th century,
- The era of the Mali Empire, and
- The Songhai Empire, from the 13th to the 16th centuries
The present borders of Mali touch historical French Sudanese borders that were established in 1891. These boundaries are colonial, grouping regions from 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.