Military history of the Mali Empire

Mandekalu army
LeadersFarima-Soura and Sankaran-Zouma[1]
Dates of operation1230–1610
HeadquartersNiani
Active regionsWest Africa
Sizecapable of 100,000 regular army[2]
Part ofMali Empire
OpponentsSonghai, Jolof, Mossi, Tuareg & Fula
Battles and warsKrina

The military history of the Mali Empire is that of the armed forces of the Mali Empire, which dominated Western Africa from the mid 13th to the late 15th century. The military culture of the empire's driving force, Mandinka people, influenced many later states in West Africa including break-away powers such as the Songhay and Jolof empires. Institutions from the Mali Empire also survived in the 19th century army of Samory Ture who saw himself as the heir to Old Mali's legacy.

  1. ^ Hunwick, page 15
  2. ^ Cite error: The named reference Taher, page 815 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).