Aim: Explain how the gold-salt trade led to the rise of Ghana

Gold-Salt Trade Ghana (700 CE): Kingdom in W. Africa Trade across the Sahara had existed for centuries Rulers were growing rich by taxing the goods that traders carried through their territory Two most important trade items were gold & salt Gold came from forest region south of Savanna Until 1350, 2/3 of world’s gold came from W. Africa West Africa’s savanna’s & forests lacks salt Mineral essential to human life Sahara contained deposits of salt Arab & Berber traders crossed the desert with camels Loaded with salt, cloth, weapons, & manufactured goods 2

Land of Gold 800 CE: Ghana becomes an empire Due to Ghana controlling trade and having large army, they demanded taxes and gifts from surrounding lands As long as lands made payments, Ghana king left them in peace In royal palace, king stored gold nuggets and slabs of salt Ghana’s African ruler acted as a religious leader, chief judge, and military commander Headed up large bureaucracy 3

Islamic Influences Islam spread through N. Africa and South of the Sahara Spread through trade Ghana rulers converted to Islam 11th Century, Muslim advisers helped king run kingdom While African rulers accepted Islam, many in empire clung to animistic beliefs and practices Animism: Belief that spirits living in animals, plants, & natural forces play role in daily life Many never convert Islam’s growth encouraged the spread of literacy To study the Qur’an 4