Mali occupies a special place in African history. The very name Mali evokes in the African consciousness a period known as the Golden Age, when three great empires, whose fame spread far beyond their borders, ruled over the whole of West Africa. These empires--Ghana (8th to 11th century), Mali (13th to 15th century), and Songhaï (15th to 16th century)--were among the first states in sub-Saharan Africa. Much of what we know about them comes from oral tradition, Arabic manuscripts, and archaeological evidence.

Trans-Saharan trade made these empires prosperous, and, in turn, the political dominance of these states provided the stability and security necessary for the trade to thrive. Gold, the commodity most sought in North Africa, was found in abundance in West Africa and formed the basis of the commerce. Also important was salt, mined in the Sahara, and a number of cities arose on the southern edge of the desert to serve as centers for trade between the Arab-Berber world and black Africa--among them Timbuktu (Tombouctou) and Djenné.