Section Two: Government and Religion Medieval Africa Section Two: Government and Religion

Gov’t and Society: Ruler and Subjects Key Facts Kings settled arguments Managed trade Protected arguments Expected obedience in return Growth caused new forms Central authority was key Rulers and people benefited Merchants received favors Kings received taxes Local rulers got some power = kings received loyalty Kingdoms grew richer and area extended

Government Ghana’s Government Mali’s Government Songhai’s Government jigsaw

Government Ghana’s Government Ghana’s pyramid of power Kings relied on help from a council of ministers (advisers) Empire divided into provinces Governed by lesser kings District chiefs oversaw smaller districts Each district included a chief’s clan . Maintaining power Local rulers sent sons to the royal court They sought reports of injustice/rebellion Controlled trade Had to have king’s permission Only king owned gold nuggets Kingdom went to king’s nephew Mali’s Government Songhai’s Government

Government Ghana’s Government Mali’s Government 1. Dividing power Mali was much bigger than Ghana Fishing, forests, farming and money all by different officials Generals were in charge of the provinces 2. Mansa Musa Rewarded citizens with gold, land and horses Granted heroes rewards Sew clothes Songhai’s Government

Government Ghana’s Government Mali’s Government Songhai’s Government Built on traditions of Ghana and Mali Never fully implemented as Sunni Ali was fighting New leader focused on his religion to guide government

Gov’t and Society: Religion Key Facts Traditional African Religions (traditional African religions shared certain beliefs and provided a guide for living together) Background One creator/ supreme god Understood Christianity and Muslim idea of one god Wanted to continue their own practice Purpose Provided rules for living Helped people stay in touch with history Believed that spirits stayed with the community

Religion Mali Songhai East

Religion Mali Mali and Mansa Musa Allowed different religions Worked to make Islam stronger Built mosques Libraries provided information from Muslim world Long journey to Makkah (Mecca) Thousands of people Convinced people from Islam to travel back to Mali Helped spread Islam Songhai East

Religion Mali Songhai Songhai and Askia Muhammad Sunni Ali Practiced the traditional religion of Songhai people Declared himself Muslim to keep support Askai Muhammad Largest empire in medieval West Africa Kept local courts but used Muslim laws Timbuktu became a center of Islamic culture East

Religion Mali Songhai East Swahili People of the coast Demonstrates Unique culture of East Africa And the language spoken there Blend of African and Muslim influences

Islam’s effect What are three things that Islam influenced throughout the African kingdoms?

Islam in Africa (Islam played an important role in medieval Africa, but long-help African beliefs and customs still remained strong.) D. Islam’s Impact on Africa Islamic laws and ideas about right and wrong Advanced learning Arabic Language Art and buildings (mosques)

Islam’s effect Laws Art architecture

government How did having a central authority rest with a single person benefit: King Individuals The kingdom? How is the model of government reflected in modern government?

government How did having a central authority rest with a single person benefit: King- Individuals- pay grants favors to subjects taxes to the king are loyal The kingdom- loyalty and a balance system How is the model of government reflected in modern government?

Activity on government Pick ONE option: Poster Draw a poster that shows the arrangement of Ghana’s government Included kings to clans Report Write a paper/paragraph that explains the arrangement of Ghana’s government from kings to clans Kings- advisors- lesser kings- district chiefs- clans **Answer the following questions on BOTH: Why did the African people change their systems of power/government? How did Islam change Africa’s society?