From 1235 to 1645, the mali empire ruled the medieval islamic west african state of mandinka. during this time, the mali empire became famous for the wealth of its rulers such as mansa musa i. the mali empire influenced west africa's culture as it spread its language, laws, and customs to areas along the niger river.
the mali empire succeeded because of its trade. the empire's main goods were salt, copper, and gold. each ounce of gold or salt that entered the empire's borders was taxed. almost half of the old world's gold came from mali by the 14th century.
as its subject states began to break off and declare independence, the mali empire began to decline. the songhai gathered strength and soon rose to form an empire of its own.