Summary: Complex Society In The Malian Empire

Complex Society in the Malian Empire

Examples of complex society can be described and referenced in many ways, shapes or forms. However, when defining a certain society as “complex,” one must follow two loose guidelines that should trace the vague foundations of any thriving civilization. Therefore, it is generally agreed upon that the civilization in question must have a large, easily identifiable population (the larger, the more complex), and that it must have a clear division of labor. Every society studied that can be considered “complex”, can vary both in population and it’s division of labor. When looking at a civilization such as the Malian Empire, It is not a question of whether the society was complex or not, that much is known;
Due to the constant and encouraged trade with the Arabian Peninsula through established routes in the Sahara desert, Islam was slowly adopted in the region where Sundiata reigned (although it wasn’t as central or significant as later generations would make it out to be) (Robinson 43). With the influence of Islam, rituals, architecture, art and laws became commonplace and unified the people of West Africa into an even more complex society with mutual ideals. The construction of mosques shows the developed and visual expression of complex culture and uniqueness in the style and development (mud and wooden struts) exclusive to the Malian Empire and surrounding regions. (Robinson 45) In addition to architecture, laws followed in accordance to the holy Quran are noted with praise in a report from Ibn Battuta dated 1352, translated by Robert
Towards the end of the story, Sundiata had united the societies of the West African region into that of a vast multifaceted empire, which operated on the same level of some of humanities greatest and most famous nations. The Malian Empire was inaugurated through “The Battle of Kirina”, when the exiled prince, Sundiata Keita, unified a land of neighboring states into a massive, well-disciplined military power to overthrow the tyrant king Soumaro Kanté (Niane 59-70). This incident and the events that followed solidified the impressive power Sundiata and his kingdom commanded throughout all of Africa. While complex societies may prosper and flourish through economic success and commodities generated (whether it be gold mined, rice harvested, or animals bred), it is a strong and adept military with a shrewd leader that keeps the power balanced and the civilization in