Jolly 'Ol Mali Trivia Quiz

Answer: Ghana

The new Mali Empire was centered between Senegal and Niger rivers. The Malinke people were under control of the Ghanian Empire, which was in a steady decline. The split occurred sometime in the 13th century. The Mali economy was heavily based on agriculture and on trade with neighboring states.

Answer: Sundiata

Sundiata unified the Mali Empire, which was previously suffering from regional and inter-family wars. Some of Sundiata's first actions as leader included creating the basic rules and relationships of Malinke society, along with an outline of how their government works. Sundiata also divided up the major clans of Mali and gave them certain tasks or privileges they could do.

Answer: Mecca

The Mali Empire was heavily influenced by the Islamic presence in Africa. When the empire was first created, the rulers used Islam to back their kingship. On Mansa Musa I's pilgrimage to Mecca, he brought with him many slaves and camels. The camels he brought carried a vast amount of gold. During the journey, he traded gold and gave it away.

The big influx of gold to the Mali economy weakened it severely. Musa brought back a Muslim architect and poet, Ishak al-Sahili, who would build many clay mosques during his lifetime in Mali. Mansa Musa I is also known by the name Kankan Musa.

Answer: Jenne

The Mali Empire was noted for its presence in the global trade market. The Malian Empire rose due to their abundance of gold and their merchants, who facilitated trade amongst the people. Two major trade centers emerged in the empire as it grew: Timbuktu and Jenne (also spelled as Djenne).

The two cities lay just off the flood plain on the great bend in the Niger River. Universities, libraries, and mosques were quickly constructed in the cities as they prospered. Both cities are both located in modern day Mali.

Answer: France

When under the control of the French, the country was known as French Sudan. The French colonized what is now Mali in 1890, and completed colonizing it in 1899. In 1899 the French divided up the region of Mali, and reapportioned it amongst their other territories.

In 1920, the French Sudan was reunited again. In 1959, the French Sudan joined together with Senegal to form the Mali Federation. In 1960, the Federation received independence from France.

Answer: Moussa Traoré

On November 19, 1968 the Malian government was subject to a coup after being in an economic decline. The coup placed Moussa Traoré in charge. He attempted to fix the economic crisis, but his efforts were spoiled by an extremely long drought. Traoré's militaristic regime fended off uprisings until in 1991 another coup occurred.

In 1992 Alpha Oumar Konaré was elected as president of Mali for the new government.

Answer: Cotton

Around 80% of Mali's population is employed in the agricultural sector. Mali's chief exports are cotton (their main export), corn, gold, and livestock. The cotton that Mali usually produces goes to their neighboring countries, mainly Senegal and Ivory Coast. Since the economy is so heavily agricultural, the weather has a great impact on how well the country does. Droughts can really hinder their worker's ability to produce and export.

In the early 1970's when there was a great drought in the sahel, which decimated the livestock population by 40%.

Answer: Songhai Empire

The Tomb of Askia was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2004, during 28th UNESCO session. The tomb houses the corpse of Askia Mohammad I. The tomb was constructed with old mud-building techniques. The tomb itself is about 17 meters high, and has wood poking out the sides of the tomb.

In addition to the tomb, there is a complex that surrounds the site in Gao, Mali. There are two mosques on the site, as well as a cemetery. Askia Mohammad I was one of the greatest rulers of the Songhai Empire, which ruled over Malian territory after the Mali Empire. Mohammad was a devout Muslim; he made a pilgrimage to Mecca in 1495. Mohammad most notably expanded the Songhai Empire and created a unique bureaucratic government.

Answer: Abbasid Caliphate

Islam first came to the continent of Africa during the 8th century under the banners of the Abbasid Caliphate. It spread throughout the continent of Africa, as the Abbasids fought through to West Africa. The Islamic advance was stopped on the Loire in 732 CE, when Charles Martel (the Hammer) defeated the caliphate. Islam arrived in Malian territory through traders who were Muslim. Islam gradually became the dominant religion.

In 2012, 90% of Malian people were Muslim.

Answer: False

The flag of Mali was created in 1959. It has three stripes on it; the order of the stripes from left to right goes: green, yellow, and red. The 1959-1961 version of the flag contained a kananga in the middle, yellow strip. In March of 1961, the kananga was removed from the flag, leaving the three solid colors.

The Malian flag is identical to the flag of Ghana, except that its colors are reversed.