The Wealth of the Empire
The success of the Mali Empire can be attributed to two key factors: its abundance of crops and powerful army[i]. Mali was prosperous in commerce and farming[ii]. The soil in the Mali Kingdom was rich and fertile, excellent for growing a variety of crops which secured the food supply of the area[iii] Crops included cotton, sesame, sorghum, millet[iv], kola and peanuts, and various grains.Cotton in particular was a very important crop. It was spun and used to weave cloth, which, in Mande culture, was considered to be a divine gift first taught to humans by spiders[v]. By 1270, the empire was producing a surplus of produce for export[vi]. Iron was a vital part of Mande life. Iron tools and weapons, to feed and protect the people, were produced by skilled blacksmiths, who were greatly respected and thought to have great spiritual power[vii]. The empire's successful army used weapons such as iron-tipped spears, daggers, bows and arrows, and swords[viii]. Blacksmiths were so revered in Mande society that they played other important roles in their communities, such as doctors, spiritual guides, advisers, and interpreters[ix]. Like griots and weavers, they passed down their skills and knowledge from generation to generation[x]. The Empire also control a vast amount of gold and salt. The gold and salt mines of Taghaza were Mali's main source of wealth[xi]. Gold from the Mali Empire was used to make coins in the Muslim world, and because of trade, this meant that much of the worlds currency depended on the Empire of Mali[xii]. All gold nuggets belonged to the king, but gold dust, salt, and cotton cloths were even used as currency at certain times[xiii].
Trade: A link between worlds
The network of trade routes within and outside of the empire
The Mali Empire's great wealth came from trade. Mali's entire economy was based on trade, and by controlling it, Mali become exceptionally rich[xiv]. The taxes collected on trade in the empire contributed to the Empire's prosperity. All goods passing in, out of, and through the empire were heavily taxed[xv]. Sundiata recognized that trade was critical to Mali's survival and growth[xvi], so expanded Mali's boundaries and took control of trade, like the Empire of Ghana had done before them. Gold was often traded for salt, which was vital of the empire's inhabitants[xvii], as salt is essential to good health, and could be used to preserve food. Since most of the gold for trade came up the Niger River, Mali was given a chance to control that trade[xviii]. Control of the Niger River helped Mali grow as an empire. Even though all gold nuggets were considered property of the king, gold dust could still be traded[xix]. Good from many other cities, both in and out of the empire, were brought by donkey or camel caravans[xx]. Camels even came to be known as "the ships of the desert"[xxi]. Horses and other livestock, textiles, books, tools, wood, metal and leather good, silver and other precious metals, ivory, perfumes, rare birds, jewlery, and produce including milk and honey, were among the many items traded[xxii]. Slavery was also a means through which Mali gained wealth, since it was not forbidden by Islamic law[xxiii]. Trade was the means by which many riches from the Mali Empire were introduced to Europe, Arabia, and Asia, and in return, many rare and precious items from these regions were introduced and brought to Mali[xxiv]. As trade continued to flourish, many towns and cities were joined together by a vast network of trade routes[xxv].