Did you know that Mali in the middle ages was one of the wealthiest countries at the time? Medieval Mali was a kingdom in Africa, and it rose to prominence under Mansa Musa in the early 1300s. Mali influenced other parts of the world, and the world influenced Mali, because of gifts, trade, and scholarly exchange.
One reason Mali had influence on the world, as well as the world influencing Mali, was through gifts. At one point, during Mansa Musa’s reign, around 1360 to 1361, he sent a giraffe, as well as other gifts of great value, to the Sultan of the Hafsid Caliphate, in response to an unknown gift sent by the sultan to Musa. This showed influence because many people had not seen a giraffe before, and so it told the Sultan that there was something in Mali they hadn't seen before. Also, it told the world about Mali; Mali reciprocated gifts, as well as being very wealthy, with items not found elsewhere, such as giraffes. That is how gifts showed influence. …show more content…
Mali had most of the world’s gold and salt at the time, and so when countries came to trade, Mali would be the only place to get various trade goods. This meant that Mali soon became rich from trading, which in turn caused other countries to trade with them, as they were rich and had gold. Also, Mali traded gold with the Berbers for salt, which shows that even the natives recognized the value of gold, causing more demand for gold. That shows why trade influences the
One reason Mali had influence on the world, as well as the world influencing Mali, was through gifts. At one point, during Mansa Musa’s reign, around 1360 to 1361, he sent a giraffe, as well as other gifts of great value, to the Sultan of the Hafsid Caliphate, in response to an unknown gift sent by the sultan to Musa. This showed influence because many people had not seen a giraffe before, and so it told the Sultan that there was something in Mali they hadn't seen before. Also, it told the world about Mali; Mali reciprocated gifts, as well as being very wealthy, with items not found elsewhere, such as giraffes. That is how gifts showed influence. …show more content…
Mali had most of the world’s gold and salt at the time, and so when countries came to trade, Mali would be the only place to get various trade goods. This meant that Mali soon became rich from trading, which in turn caused other countries to trade with them, as they were rich and had gold. Also, Mali traded gold with the Berbers for salt, which shows that even the natives recognized the value of gold, causing more demand for gold. That shows why trade influences the