Mali Empire and New World Encyclopedia Essay

Timbuktu was established by the Taureg, a nomadic group, in the tenth- ordinal coulomb along the caravan routes that were along the west coast of Africa (New human signifier cyclopaedia 2007). Timbuktu was in a good spot for trade exactly not for defending against attacks, and Timbuktu was constantly attacked by Taureg raiders (New existence Encyclopedia 2007). Timbuktu was neer able to grow due to the raids, but Gao, Timbuktus neighboring city grew to be the political capital (New World Encyclopedia 2007).As Timbuktu develop and became a city that traded lucky, ivory, slaves, and salt Timbuktu became immensely wealthy (New World Encyclopedia 2007). Since Timbuktu was so wealthy it was a target for umteen European empires conditionk wealth (New World Encyclopedia 2007). It started to decline in the 16th century by the Portuguese traders choosing to send the goods upriver instead of down river (New World Encyclopedia 2007). As Timbuktu developed into a more intellectual spunk in the early 15th century it became known for its religious pick up of Islam (New World Encyclopedia 2007).While Islam was the main religion of Timbuktu, slightly of the uncouth population were non-Muslim traditionalists (New World Encyclopedia 2007). The University of Sankore, also known as the most prominent Islamic institution, was established in 1581 C. E. and taught mostly centered around the Quran (New World Encyclopedia 2007). In Timbuktu there were more than 120 subroutine librarys in which housed millions of books, and some of which have not been found stock-still (New World Encyclopedia 2007).As stories of Timbuktus wealth deceaseed Europe many explorers journeyed downward into Africa to have their own taste of the wealth (Timbuktu The El Dorado of Africa 2013). As countless European explorers journeyed to Timbuktu and never returned The Geographic Society of Paris offered a reward to whatever explorer that could make it there and 2 grit and live to tell the tale (Timbuktu The El Dorado of Africa 2013). The first explorer to reach Timbuktu was Gordon Laing in 1826, but he didnt make it back live(a) (Timbuktu The El Dorado of Africa 2013).The first explorer to reach Timbuktu was Rene-Auguste Caillie in 1828, by disguising himself as an Arab traveling in a caravan (Timbuktu The El Dorado of Africa 2013). When Rene returned to Europe he wrote three volumes over how unimpressed he was about the city in that it being a mud-walled city, in the middle of the desert, and not having any gold (Timbuktu The El Dorado of Africa 2013). Although in 1512 when Timbuktu was at its peak and Leo Africanus visited he verbalize The rich king of Tombuto hath many plates and sceptres of gold, some whereof weigh 1300 poundsHe hath perpetually 3000 horsemen (and) a great store of doctors, judges, priests, and other learned men, that are plenteously maintained at the kings expense. (New World Encyclopedia 2007) Although from Shabenis point of view of Timbuk tu in 1787 he stated On the eastern United States side of the city of Timbuctoo, there is a large forest, in which are a great many elephants. The timber here is very large. The trees on the outside of the forest are remarkable they are of such a size that the largest cannot be girded by two men.They bear a kind of berry about the size of a walnut, in clusters consisting of from ten to cardinal berries. Shabeeny cannot say what is the extent of this forest, but it is very large. (New World Encyclopedia 2007) In 1591 Timbuktu started to slowly decline due to the Morisco mercenaries armed with guns (New World Encyclopedia 2007). star of the few reasons Timbuktu is still in existence is 3 because it is a major tourist attraction that attracts people from all over the world to see the mystical city (New World Encyclopedia 2007).4 Alistair Boddy-Evans (2013). Timbuktu The El Dorado of Africa. ONLINE uncommitted at http//africanhistory. about. com/od/mali/p/Timbuktu. htm. Last Access ed September 10 2013. unknown (2007). Timbuktu. ONLINE procurable at http//www. newworldencyclopedia. org/entry/Timbuktu. Last Accessed September 10 2013. unknown (2013). Sankore Madrasah. ONLINE Available at http//en. wikipedia. org/wiki/Sankore_Madrasah. Last Accessed Sepember 10 2013.