Week 5 & 6

TOPIC: SOCIO-ECONOMIC STRUCTURE OF THE ANCIENT MALI EMPIRE

Since the empire was twice the size of the ancient Ghana Empire, the ancient Mali Empire's socio-economic activities were more diversified. They included agriculture, trade, education, banking, arts and entertainment.

Agriculture was the foundation on which the survival of the people was hinged. The empire had an abundance of crop produce such as rice, onions, beans, cotton, etc. because Sundiata Keita encouraged crop farming in the empire.

The ancient Mali Empire built its trade styles, routes and networks upon the ancient Ghana Empire's old methods. As regards Trans-Saharan trade activities in the empire, the city of Timbuktu was the centre of commerce and meeting place for traders and buyers. The city was located around the Niger River, which was an area of many washing, farming, cloth-making and sales activities. Berber traders and local and foreign merchants displayed their items, arts, farm produce, wares or merchandise for sale.

Also, Berber's goods included salt, pearls, leather, spices, copper, ivory, ceramics, cloth, kola nuts, books,.... View More