Societies of West Africa Section 3 Societies of West Africa The peoples of West Africa developed sophisticated kingdoms, trade networks, and artistic achievements. NEXT

• Camel caravans cross Sahara; connect West Africa with rest of world 3 SECTION Ghana Grows Wealthy • Camel caravans cross Sahara; connect West Africa with rest of world • First West African kingdom, Ghana, grows rich from gold and salt trade • Controls this trade from 700s to mid-1000s • Kings impose taxes, use wealth for army, build empire NEXT

• Muslims—followers of the religion Islam 3 SECTION Islam Enters Ghana • Muslims—followers of the religion Islam • Islam—founded by prophet Muhammad; teaches that there is one God, Allah • Muslim traders bring Islam from North Africa to West Africa • In 1076, Muslim army conquers Ghana city and weakens Ghana’s power NEXT

• By 1200s, kingdom of Mali conquers most of Ghana 3 SECTION Mali Replaces Ghana • By 1200s, kingdom of Mali conquers most of Ghana • Its wealth also comes from gold-salt trade • Mali’s ruler, Sundiata, increases Mali’s power, prosperity • Other great leader, Mansa Musa (1312—1337), is Muslim • Shows off wealth to rest of world; spreads Islamic culture in Mali • After Mansa Musa’s death, Mali slowly weakens NEXT

• Songhai people break away from Mali, begin own empire 3 SECTION The Empire of Songhai • Songhai people break away from Mali, begin own empire • Led by Sunni Ali, they capture Timbuktu, set up governmental system • Sunni Ali dies (1492); led by Askia Muhammad, Muslims take over • Askia Muhammad expands trade, sets up tax system, builds Mosques • After his death, Songhai weakens; Moroccan army defeats Songhai (1591) NEXT

Other West African Kingdoms 3 SECTION Other West African Kingdoms • Hausa states emerge after A.D. 1000 in northern Nigeria; trade thrives • Yoruba live southwest of Niger River, mostly farmers, have gifted artists Image • Kingdom of Benin in delta of Niger River prospers through trade • In late 1400s, Portuguese and other Europeans trade goods with Benin • Europeans also trade for enslaved Africans • Use enslaved laborers to work on large farms, called plantations NEXT