Mali's Lost City of Gold: The Rise and Fall of Niani
The Mali Empire: The Richest Civilization in History — Fexingo HistoryPlay episode
Show notes
While Timbuktu and Djenné get all the glory, the true heart of the Mali Empire was Niani, its legendary capital on the Sankarani River. In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore the rise and mysterious decline of this fabled city, from its founding by Sundiata Keita to its abandonment after the empire's fragmentation. They discuss the archaeological mysteries surrounding Niani—why its exact location was lost for centuries and how oral traditions preserved its memory. Along the way, they examine the city's role as a hub for gold and salt trade, its royal palace, and the devastating impact of the Mossi raids. Drawing on the Tarikh al-Sudan and the works of Ibn Battuta, they piece together what made Niani the political and cultural center of the richest empire in medieval Africa. #Niani #MaliEmpire #SundiataKeita #MansaMusa #SankaraniRiver #TarikhAlSudan #IbnBattuta #GoldTrade #SaltTrade #MossiRaids #MedievalAfrica #WestAfrica #Archaeology #OralTradition #LostCity #Sundiata #FexingoHistory #History #Timbuktu #Djenn Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo
