The Last Kings of Mali: The Empire's Final Century
The Mali Empire: The Richest Civilization in History — Fexingo HistoryPlay episode
Show notes
In this episode, Lucas and Luna trace the decline of the Mali Empire after its golden age. They explore the succession crises that followed Mansa Suleyman's death in 1360, the devastating Mossi raids of the 14th century, and the steady erosion of imperial authority. The conversation centers on the rise of the Songhai Empire under Sonni Ali, who captured Timbuktu in 1468 and Djenne in 1475, and the ultimate fall of the Keita dynasty when Niani was sacked in the 1490s. Along the way, they discuss the role of the farari (military commanders) and the Gbara (great council) in the empire's unraveling, and reflect on how the empire's own decentralized structure and reliance on trade routes made it vulnerable. The episode ends with a meditation on the legacy of the Mali Empire in West African history and memory. #MaliEmpire #DeclineOfMali #SonniAli #SonghaiEmpire #MansaMaghan #MossiRaids #Timbuktu #Djenne #Niani #KeitaDynasty #Farari #Gbara #WestAfricanHistory #SaharanTrade #14thCentury #15thCentury #History #FexingoHistory Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo
