Chelsey Lin, Frances Feng, Mike Abel, Ange Wu, Austin Ginos Trans-Saharan Trade Routes Including: Ibn Battuta, Mansa Musa, and the Bantus AP World Period 8 Chelsey Lin, Frances Feng, Mike Abel, Ange Wu, Austin Ginos

Trans-Saharan Trade Routes, Background The Sahara desert was a major obstacle that hindered interaction between Africa, Europe and Asia Camels replaced horses and donkeys in 300 C.E., increasing communication across the Sahara Muslim merchants crossed the Sahara desert, bringing the Islamic faith with them

Gold-Salt Trade Kingdom of Ghana Most important commercial site of west Africa Ghana kings converted to Islam by 10th century Exported: gold, ivory, and slaves Imported: salt and horses Gold-salt between the Ghana Empire and the Arab desert merchants flourished Ghana kings maintained tight control over kingdom’s gold production in order to keep gold prices high (e.g. only the king could possess gold nuggets) Taxed traders who used trade routes that passed through Ghana

Mansa Musa After the fall of the Ghana empire, a 2nd major gold-salt trade route was established, passing through Tunis and Cairo Egypt’s influence over western Sudan Mali Empire Mali rulers, unlike Ghana kings, did not restrict availability of gold Mansa Musa Sundiata’s grandson Famous Muslim Ruler Skilled military leader Hajj to Mecca in 1324 Gave away enormous amounts of gold during his trip, to the point where the value of gold declined in Egypt for 12 years. Built Mosques in Timbutku and Gao

Ibn Battuta One of the most famous travelers during the Post-Classical Era Battuta’s Travels Visited most countries of the Islamic world Went to Egypt, Syria, Persia, Iraq, East Africa, Yemen, Anatolia, Russia, India, Constantinople, China, and Sumatra Dedicated Muslim Praised those who studied the Qu’ran Criticized those who did not strictly practice Islam’s moral code Hajj and travels lasted twenty-seven years Significantly spread of Islam in Africa

Bantus The Bantu Migrations started around 200 B.C.E. and continued for the next 1000 years Iron metallurgy allowed the Bantu speaking tribes to explore to central and southern Africa Trade allowed agriculture, materials, and animals that the Bantus needed to survive such as bananas, salt, and horses Cultivated bananas along with yam and sorghum At first, Bantu society was kin-based and stateless. As population increased, chiefdoms began to develop. Increased population also strained resources. As Bantu speakers and Arabs began to trade, new people and a new language was created Swahili: a blend of Arab and the Bantu language

QUIZ

What was a major item in the Trans-Saharan trade routes? 1) Silk Salt Paper Cowrie shells

What was a major difference between the Ghana kingdom and the Mali empire? 2) The majority of Ghana were Hindu and practiced the caste system while the Mali rulers were devout Muslims Mali rulers such as Mansa Musa did not restrict the availability of gold while the Ghana rulers did The Mali empire does not exist The Ghana kingdom remained isolated and developed an ethnocentric view of themselves while the Mali empire participated heavily in the Trans-Saharan trade routes

What was Swahili and how did it influence Africa? 3) Swahili was a type of architecture found in Eastern Africa Swahili was a language and culture developed from Bantu language and Egyptian; influenced Africa by becoming the common language Type of food made by Arabs and given to the Bantu speaking people; promoted peace between the people Swahili was a language and culture that developed from the interaction of Africans and Arabs along the east African coast; it became the common language for Arab merchants and the Bantu speaking people