 | This article's lead section may be too short to adequately summarize the key points. (February 2010) |
| Mandekalu army | |
|---|---|
| Leaders | Farima-Soura and Sankaran-Zouma[1] |
| Dates of operation | 1230–1610 |
| Headquarters | Niani |
| Active regions | West Africa |
| Size | capable of 100,000 regular army[2] |
| Part of | Mali Empire  |
| Opponents | Songhai, Jolof, Mossi, Tuareg & Fula |
| Battles and wars | Krina |
The military history of the Mali Empire is that of the armed forces of the Mali Empire, which dominated Western Africa from the mid 13th to the late 15th century. The military culture of the empire's driving force, Mandinka people, influenced many later states in West Africa including break-away powers such as the Songhay and Jolof empires. Institutions from the Mali Empire also survived in the 19th century army of Samory Ture who saw himself as the heir to Old Mali's legacy.