west african kingdoms
TRANSCRIPT
West African EmpiresWest African Empires
The Empire of GhanaThe Empire of Ghana750-1076750-1076
Political:
•Founded by Soninke people (750 CE)
•Led by powerful King who ruled over a splendid court - chose
princes and officials to govern – Worshipped as Divine
•Ghana means “War Chief”
•Capital city was Kumbi Saleh
•Had a large army of foot soldiers and cavalry (200,000) – helped to
expand kingdom
The Empire of GhanaThe Empire of Ghana
Economic System► Commercially based empire.
Gold-Salt Trade – led by camel caravans
► Controlled and secured trade routes with Muslim Berbers. Also traded in ivory, slaves,
horses, cloth, salt.► “Silent Trade” – dumb barter to
protect source of gold► Koumbi – major trading city► Conversion by emperors to Islam
improved diplomatic and economic relations between West Africa and the Islamic World.
The Empire of GhanaThe Empire of GhanaAchievements
► Influenced by Muslims: Military technology – iron tipped spears Sculptures, gold and silver jewels Arabic writing Architecture
► Royal tombs► Large armies► Women had a high status and active
role in market place
The Mali EmpireThe Mali Empire1100-14001100-1400
Mali EmpireMali EmpirePolitical:
► Sundiata – founder of Mali in 1230 CE► Ruled by powerful kings called Mansas
- Converted to Islam► Professional army► Expanded territory and appointed
governors to rule areas and collect taxes – strong local government, somewhat decentralized
► Women could hold government positions
► Laws based on Muslim system of justice (The Quran)
► Mansa Musa: Most powerful leader, converted to Islam and made pilgrimage to Mecca (Hajj)
Mali EmpireMali EmpireEconomic:
► Controlled Gold Salt Trade – seized gold producing areas
► Its wide variety of environments produced a wide variety of goods. – Fixed exchange rates
► The rule of the Mansa (king) created peace and security for merchants to travel and trade freely.
► Niani, Timbuktu, Gao – major trading cities
► As a result, merchants began to establish family firms, with different individuals settling in far-flung parts of the Mali empire to carry on trade.
► Common items of exchange were kola nuts, butter, textiles and metal goods.
Mali EmpireMali EmpireAchievements:
► Developed the city of Timbuktu which became a great trading city and center of Muslim learning. Invited Muslim Scholars to Mali
► Conversion to Islam and Mansa Musa’s pilgrimage to Mecca brought world wide attention to West Africa
► Made the need of a large population and a large army a permanent necessity for states in West Africa.
Songhai Songhai EmpireEmpire
Political:► Sunni Ali- 1464 gained power and restored order► Powerful army used war and force to control region► Askia Muhammad- great leader who made pilgrimage to Mecca► Organized provinces and created a bureaucracy► Developed a code of laws based on Islam
Songhai EmpireSonghai EmpireEconomic:
► Controlled Gold Salt trade► Industrious farmers and skilled
craftsmen in iron and copper► Slave trade developed► Merchants became very wealthy and
influential► Timbuktu remained a major
economic and cultural city
Djenne MosqueDjenne Mosque
Songhai EmpireSonghai EmpireAchievements:
► Encouraged Muslim Scholars to settle in Timbuktu► Timbuktu became a cultural and learning center► University of Sankore - study of medicine, grammar, literature► Expanded empire with the use of force
