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  Sundiata built up an army and won back his country's independence. he then conquered nearby kingdoms, including Ghana.
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  Sundiata died, later rulers of Mali took the title of Mansa. Unlike Sundiata, most of these rulers were Muslims.
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  Mali's most famous ruler was a Muslim named Mansa Musa, Mali reached the height of its wealth, power, and fame.
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  Mansa Musa ruled Mali for about 25 years, from 1312 to 1337
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  Religion was very important to Mansa Musa, he left Mali on a pilgrimage to Mecca.
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  nomads from the Sahara, seized Timbuktu. The people living at the edges of Mali's empire broke away.
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  All of the lands of the Empire had once ruled were lost, only a small area of Mali remained.