Kingdoms of West Africa 11.2

Trade in the Sahara As Sahara dried out and became desert populations migrated to the Savanna Savanna proved perfect for farming Eventually those populations that moved had surplus of food That surplus would be traded using Islamic caravans all across Africa Salt and Gold were equal in value Salt, preserved food and was important to health Gold, wanted for its value Soon large kingdoms would form to control Salt and gold Trade

Ghana: “The Land of Gold” 1st kingdom to control Salt and Gold trade in Africa Kingdom made money by taxing all goods that entered and exited their trade markets 2 major towns made up capital city of Kumbi Saleh For the king and the super wealthy Islamic merchants (caravan owners) The kingdom’s structure was heavily influenced by Islam Written language, math and government system

The Land of Gold 1 oz of gold $1,216.04 (Sunday 4/5/15) 32,000 oz in 1 ton 8 tons of gold a year pulled from Ghana Pulled from years 500-1600 (1,100 years) 8*32,000=256,000oz 256,000*1,216.04= $311,306,240 a year 311,306,240*1100= $342,436,864,000 total

The Kingdom of Mali Established in 1235 after a war with Ghana Kingdom Takes over Ghana Kingdom and expands west into the salt and gold mines Mansa Musa- Ruler of Mali Kingdom Expands Kingdom to its largest size Converts to Islam but allows religious freedom in Kingdom Richest man EVER!! Valued education Built a university in Timbuktu Paid scholars from different subject areas to move to and teach in Mali

A New Empire in Songhai After internal fighting in the Mali Kingdom a large piece breaks away, called the Songhai Kingdom. Soldier king Sonni Ali fights for new territory and expands the kingdom into the largest in West African history. After Ali’s death an Islamic government takes control Because it is more efficient the kingdom continues to grow The kingdom continues to grow with trade through the middle east Slow decline, rival city-states start to conquer and break away small pieces of the Kingdom