However, after the eleventh century, the Ghanaian empire was continually exposed to harassment from a long series of Arabic holy wars.

Over a long period of time, the power of the king was reduced until the empire of Ghana finally collapsed.

From its ashes emerged the basis for the creation of a new and even larger empire: the empire of Mali.
Mali, like Ghana, was built on gold.

While Ghana had been under attack by the Arabs from outside, various peoples from within struck for their own freedom.

The Mandinka people, who had been the middlemen in the gold trade and who had received protection from the king of Ghana, achieved their independence in 1230 A.D.