1. Chapter 12 Section 2 Ghana, Mali, Songhai, Hausa, Benin Mr. Schoff Global History I

2. OA Why were gold and salt important in early Africa? Who is Mansa Musa and why is he so important?

3. Ghana Means “ruler”, used by Arab traders –Modern Ghana is NOT located on the site of the ancient kingdom, it lies several hundred miles to the south Located on the V made by the Niger and Senegal Rivers King collected tolls on all goods entering or leaving land Flow of gold so great, called “land of gold” Capital – Kumbi Saleh –Made up of two separate, walled towns, 6 miles apart –Lured by the gold wealth, merchants helped make Kumbi Saleh a center of trade Islam unable to maintain control over such a distant land, but Ghana was swallowed up by a rising West African kingdom of Mali

4. Mali Founded by Sundiata Mali is Arab word for “where the king dwells” Mansas expanded influence over both the gold- mining regions in the south and the salt supplies of Taghaza Caravan routes crossed and created towns like Timbuktu –Became great trading cities Mansa Musa – greatest emperor of Mali (1312) –Expanded Mali’s borders, pushed northward and westward, conquering many cities –Worked for peace and order –Converted to Islam, based his system of justice on the Quran –Did not adopt all customs associated with Muslim societies

5. Hausa Walled city-states, remained independent of one another, but became thriving commercial centers Cotton weavers, dyers, leatherworkers, other artisans produce goods for sale Merchants traded with Arab caravans from the north of the Sahara Hausa goods were sold as far away as North Africa and southern Europe Kano was most prosperous –14 miles in circumference, 30,000 people, greatest king was Muhammad Rumfa, developed a written language based on Arabic, many rulers were women

6. Benin South of savanna, rain forests of Guinea coast Forest people, from farming villages, traded pepper, ivory, and later, slaves to their neighbors Power was spread among other figures than the king Capital was Benin City –Great palace, decorated with brass plaques and sculptures, very elaborate, artisans from Ife, early forest society, taught people of Benin how to cast bronze and brass –Developed own unique style for representing human face and form Works depicted warriors armed for battle, queen mothers with upswept hairstyles, and the oba himself

7. Songhai Soldier-king Sonni Ali forged the largest state that ever existed in West Africa Brought trade routes and wealthy cities under his control He did not adopt practices of Islam Askia Muhammad set up a Muslim dynasty after Ali’s death –Expanded territory and improved gov’t –Set up a bureaucracy with separate departments for farming, army, and treasury –Mosques and schools for the study of Quran Prospered until around 1586, when succession disputes led to civil war –Ruler of Morocco sent armies south to seize West African gold mines –Invaders used gunpowder weapons to defeat Songhai With the downfall of Songhai, this part of West Africa split into many smaller kingdoms