Mansa Musa Reign During the era stretching through Mansa Musa reign (1312–1337) and that of his brother Sulayman, the Mali Empire reached its highest degree of accomplishment. This period lasted from 1312 until 1337. (1341–1360).

Mansa Musa Reign

During the era stretching through Mansa Musa reign (1312–1337) and that of his brother Sulayman, the Mali Empire reached its highest degree of accomplishment. This period lasted from 1312 until 1337. (1341–1360). 

Mali’s territory is believed to have extended from the headwaters of the river Niger and from where the Gambia and Senegal Rivers reach the Atlantic coast, all the way to the southern fringes of the Sahara and the country that is located beyond Timbuktu in the Niger Bend.

This period of time coincides with Mali’s greatest period of territorial expansion. The prosperity of Mali’s rulers (mansaw) was dependent on their control of commercial towns and routes to the goldfields in the interior of the country. Copper and salt were examples of highly valued imports that were subject to a high level of taxation, and the mansaw was able to amass large quantities of gold by demanding tribute from the producers.

The people of Mali came from a great number of different ethnic groups, many of which intermarried and spoke each other’s languages. These individuals included people who spoke dialects of the Mande language such as Maninka, Bamana, and Soninke, as well as members of nearby communities such as the Fula and the Dogon. 

Despite the fact that commerce played a significant role, the bulk of the population was involved in subsistence activities such as farming, fishing, and rearing cattle. Additionally, there were specialized artisan groups such as blacksmiths, leatherworkers, and potters.