Political

Contrary to European beliefs, the kingdom of Mali had a strong political system. The overall ruler of Mali was the king, but below him there were ruling chiefs, who controlled the provinces, and tribal chiefs, who were in charge of the villages. A major part of Mali's government was the Gbara which was the assembly of all the tribal leaders. They followed an oral constitution called the Kouroukan Fouga which was spilt up into four sections: social classes, property rights, enviormental relations, and personal responsibility. The leaders used the Kouroukan Fouga to govern the rights and responsibilities of each tribe that made up the kingdom of Mali.

Some important kings of ancient Mali are:

Sundiata: the first king and founder of the Mali empire

Mansa Musa: ruled during the Golden Age of Mali, tooka famous pilgramige to Mecca and brought back Islamic culture and influences