Editing 1340s (section)

==Africa==
[[Image:MALI empire map.PNG|thumb|left|The [[Mali Empire]] around the end of the decade]]In Egypt, the Mameluk sultans were constantly changing. In 1347, the [[Blue Mosque, Cairo|Blue Mosque]] was completed in [[Cairo]].

In the [[Horn of Africa]], the 1340s were part of the century and a half (1314–1468) that comprised "the crowning era of medieval [[Ethiopia]]", which began with the reign of [[Amda Seyon I]].<ref>Henze, p 63-64</ref> The crusading spirit of Amda's conquests in the previous decades had established an effective Ethiopian hegemony over his divided Muslim neighbours, but the chief concern of his conquests had been above all to maintain trade for both Muslims and Christians.<ref>Henze, p 65-66</ref> On Amda's death in 1344, the size of his Christian Empire was double what it had been in 1314.<ref>Henze, p 66</ref> Trade flourished in [[ivory]] and other animal products from the western and southwestern border regions, while food products were exported from the highlands to the eastern lowlands and coastal ports.<ref>Henze, p 65</ref> He was succeeded as [[Emperor of Ethiopia|emperor]] by his eldest son [[Newaya Krestos]], who followed his father's policies toward the Mulisms in the east, most of whom continued to be tributaries of Ethiopia.<ref>Henze, p 67</ref>

In the [[Mali Empire]] of [[West Africa]], [[Mansa (title)|Mansa]] [[Souleyman]], who had assumed office in 1341, took steep measures to put Mali back into financial shape, developing a reputation for miserliness.<ref name=peoplesand/> However, he proved to be a good and strong ruler despite numerous challenges. It is during his reign that Fula raids on Takrur began. There was also a palace conspiracy to overthrow him hatched by the Qasa (Manding term meaning Queen) and several army commanders.<ref name=peoplesand>Stride (page numbers please!)</ref> Mansa Souleyman's generals successfully fought off the military incursions, and the senior wife behind the plot was imprisoned. Mali was at this time the dominant empire of West Africa, having conquered [[Songhai Empire]]. The Songhai Empire would not regain independence for another three decades.<ref>Rees, p 6</ref>