Socio-Religious Activities of the Ancient Mali Empire

Week 7 & 8

TOPIC: Socio-Religious Activities of the Ancient Mali Empire

Before Islam became the predominant religion of the ancient Mali Empire, the people blended Islamic culture with traditional religion. Their traditional beliefs included ancestors' veneration, worship of many gods, belief in the spiritual and supernatural, the healing power of roots, herbs and leaves, belief in the protection, favour and wrath of their gods, prophecy, use of amulets, charms, voodoo, etc.

Kings who had converted to Islam did not force the people of the empire to adopt the Arabs' religion, as they recognised that other provinces of the empire had their own religious autonomy and preference. Islam was first adopted by the ruling and noble class. Before Islam became…