1. Ancient African Kingdoms World History I

2. BENIN Government Forest people Forest people Kings known as Obas Kings known as Obas Women – held own councils, religious ceremonies Women – held own councils, religious ceremonies

3. Fact or Fiction? Some stories say the chiefs invited Oranyan from Ife to become the leader. Some stories say the chiefs invited Oranyan from Ife to become the leader. Oranyan stayed long enough to father a child and leave. This child became King Eweka. Oranyan stayed long enough to father a child and leave. This child became King Eweka.

4. Oba Ewuare 15th century leader Oba Ewuare began rule that father should be succeeded by son. 15th century leader Oba Ewuare began rule that father should be succeeded by son. He set up a system of checks and balances. He set up a system of checks and balances.

5. Growth of Benin Benin citizens became wealthy Because they were wealthy…

6. Ghana A Sahelian Kingdom African people, like the Berbers, formed a new kingdom called Ghana or Akwar

7. Twin Cities Built capital – Kumbi Saleh -on the edge of the Sahara Kings and officers People living in six miles between

8. Says who? I do… Ruled by a hereditary king called “Ghana” Ruled by a hereditary king called “Ghana” King in charge of military and was supreme judge – believed to be partly divine and able to talk with gods King in charge of military and was supreme judge – believed to be partly divine and able to talk with gods

9. Trade King claimed to own all gold nuggets and others could only trade for gold dust King claimed to own all gold nuggets and others could only trade for gold dust Tremendously strong in trade Tremendously strong in trade

10. Life in Ghana King had 200,000 warriors King had 200,000 warriors Kingdom never converted to Islam but allowed Muslims to stay there Kingdom never converted to Islam but allowed Muslims to stay there Around 1075, Berbers (the Almorvids) declared a holy war (jihad) on Ghana Around 1075, Berbers (the Almorvids) declared a holy war (jihad) on Ghana Berbers controlled for 10 years before Ghana took back control Berbers controlled for 10 years before Ghana took back control

11. In closing… Ghana was never as strong Ghana was never as strong The Almorvids never recovered and fell apart into separate chiefdoms again; however, many believe a magician came and started the Mali Kingdom… The Almorvids never recovered and fell apart into separate chiefdoms again; however, many believe a magician came and started the Mali Kingdom…

12. Mali Second Great Sahelian Kingdom Historical founder was magician, Sundiata, who ruled from 1230-1255 Historical founder was magician, Sundiata, who ruled from 1230-1255 11 of his brothers were murdered so Mali wouldn’t threaten Ghana 11 of his brothers were murdered so Mali wouldn’t threaten Ghana

13. The Battle at Kirina Sundiata fought for a new kingdom while Sumanguru fought to keep Ghana in power Battle of Sorcery Outcome

14. Blasts from the Past Most significant of Mali kings was Mansa Musa (1312-1337) Established Timbuktu

15. Downfall Berbers disrupted peace in 1430 – region of Gao fell apart Berbers disrupted peace in 1430 – region of Gao fell apart Led to rise of Songhai kingdom Led to rise of Songhai kingdom

16. Songhai Managed thousands of cultures Managed thousands of cultures Was the largest empire in African history Was the largest empire in African history Gao was Songhai’s capital Gao was Songhai’s capital Had originally competed with Mali for control Had originally competed with Mali for control

17. Ali the Terror S Sonny Ali was a Sunni king (1464-1492) Ruthless tyrant Very strong militarily Ali captured Timbuktu and Jenne Pushed Berbers north

18. Askia Muhammad Toure S Succeeded Ali established new dynasty Expanded empire

19. Toure de Force Toure established an elaborate government Toure established an elaborate government Appointed Muslim judges to run under Islamic legal principles Appointed Muslim judges to run under Islamic legal principles

20. Great Zimbabwe “Mwenemutapa” Includes present-day Zimbabwe Surrounded by huge, elliptical stone walls made without any mortar

21. Trade Exports Traded with China, Persia and India Cities grew

22. Truly African Considered by historians to be truly African Considered by historians to be truly African

23. Divine King King was considered divine King was considered divine Kingdom weakened by internal brotherly quarrels beginning in the 1500s Kingdom weakened by internal brotherly quarrels beginning in the 1500s

24. Box Score Kush – 750 – 350 A.D. Kush – 750 – 350 A.D. Ghana – 500 – 1235 C.E. Ghana – 500 – 1235 C.E. Mali – 1235 – 1468 Mali – 1235 – 1468 Benin – 1000 – 1700 Benin – 1000 – 1700 Songhai – 1468 – 1591 Songhai – 1468 – 1591 Great Zimbabwe – 1000 – 1500 Great Zimbabwe – 1000 – 1500