Mansa Sulayman

Timeline

1. c. 1312–1337Mali Empire · Mali EmpireSulayman was of the Keita royal house descended from Mansa Sundiata and brother of the famous Mansa Musa. Under Musa the empire reached its zenith, becoming renowned for its gold wealth after the 1324 Hajj to Mecca. As a senior member of the royal family, Sulayman held an important place in the succession order.
2. 1341–1345Niani · Mali EmpireAfter Musa's son Maghan I ruled briefly for about four years, Sulayman is believed to have replaced his nephew through court struggle. Early in his reign he sent lavish gifts to Egypt, repairing the diplomatic and trade relations damaged after Musa's pilgrimage, and tightened control over the provincial governors (farim) system.
3. 1352–1353Niani · Mali EmpireIbn Battuta arrived in Mali in July 1352 and was received by Sulayman at Niani. He recorded that the Mansa was renowned for strict justice and that the trade routes were well policed, and described a colorful stucco palace built by Andalusian Muslim architects along with court etiquette, providing first-hand material on the 14th-century West African Islamic court.
4. c. 1354–1360Mali Empire · Mali EmpireIn his later years Sulayman continued diplomacy with North African powers such as the Marinids and prepared a diplomatic mission to Fez. His reign is seen by later ages as the close of Mali's golden age; after his death his son Kamba briefly succeeded him, immediately triggering succession disorder and the empire's gradual decline.