15-2 West African Civilizations

Gold-Salt Trade Berbers SALT GOLD

Ghana Gains power by taxing trade caravans Trade: Gold & Salt People wanted gold, Ghana needed salt Circular trade of goods b/w Africa & the Mediterranean 800s: Ghana’s kings ruled taxes & gifts Limited supplies of gold to keep prices up – WHY?

Islamic Influences Spread: Faith introduced by settling merchants North Africa: Conquest Sub-Sahara: Trade Faith introduced by settling merchants Muslim advisors influenced the kings of Ghana Many maintain belief in animism Spirits of living things hold a spiritual powers Almoravid conquest of Ghana disrupts trade Islamic Influences

Mali Kingdom founded by the Mande-speaking peoples Wealth built on gold – trade routes shift 1st great leader – Sundiata Conquers Ghana Establishes peace & prosperity Established an effective, sophisticated government

Mansa Musa Brought stability to Mali after death of Sundiata Skilled military leader who controlled the gold-salt trade Governed empire through provinces Devout Muslim – undertook a hajj Timbuktu becomes a major place for trade & learning

Mali Empire [13c-15c] SALT GOLD

Timbuktu-”Heavenly Clay”

Timbuktu Rooftop, Mosque

Ibn Battuta Traveling historian from Tangier, North Africa Devout Muslim Explored the Islamic world for 27 years Wrote extensively about his travels Timbuktu & Mali (p. 416) Reached China & wrote about their culture

Ibn Battuta’s Journey

Songhai Power = controlled trade routes 1464: Sunni Ali – builds empire through conquest Professional army that was mobile Captured Timbuktu (Mali’s capital Acquired Djenné through marriage (trade city) Songhai

Songhai Empire [15c-16c] SALT GOLD

Askia Muhammad Governs Well Askia Muhammad – Overthrew Ali’s son for power Excellent administrator – efficient tax system & specialized officials Collapses due to lack of modern weapons 1591: Defeated by Moroccan invaders with guns Askia Mohammed’s Tomb [1443-1538]

Hausa City-States Society grouped by a common language Local rulers controlled farm lands from walled cities w/ horsed-armies Wealth: Farming & Trade Kano & Katsina (major trade outposts) Slave Trade Zazzau – sells captives to other city-states for goods

Yoruba Collection of farming states in the area of Nigeria & Benin Ifo & Oyo largest kingdoms Kings = religious & political leaders Descended from 1st ruler of Ife (religious authority) Secret society of political & religious figures limit kings Cities (centers of trade) supported by farms = growth, trade, & art

Benin Began in the 1200s near the Niger Delta Ruled based on descent 1400s – Major state = powerful army Lagos to Niger Delta Artistic culture – brass & copper 1480s: Benin begin trading with Portugal Beginning of the slave trade

Benin Empire [15c-19c]

Key Idea In West Africa three empires—Ghana, Mali, and Songhai—thrive by controlling the trade of gold and salt. Muslim merchants and teachers bring Islam to West Africa. Other major states develop there, including the Hausa city-states, the Yoruba kingdoms of Ife and Oyo, and Benin.

Overview • Ghana • Mali • Sundiata • Mansa Musa • Ibn Battuta TERMS & NAMES Overview • Ghana • Mali • Sundiata • Mansa Musa • Ibn Battuta • Songhai • Hausa • Yoruba • Benin MAIN IDEA WHY IT MATTERS NOW West Africa contained several powerful empires and states, including Ghana, Mali, and Songhai. These empires demonstrate the richness of African culture before European colonization.

Section 2 Assessment Copy this graphic into your notes to help organize your thoughts. List characteristics of stateless societies. Mali Songhai Both Broke away from Mali; had war canoes, mobile horseback fighters, and strong centralized government Revived salt/gold trade, had strict judicial system, built mosques, visited by Ibn Battuta Controlled Timbuktu, had strong leaders, created Muslim empires, dominated trade

Section 2 Assessment 2.  Which of the two—the Yoruba people or the people of Benin—had more influence on the other? Explain. THINK ABOUT • when the kingdoms flourished • political traditions of each • artistic traditions of each ANSWER Possible Responses: • The Yoruba people had more influence—their kingdoms flourished earlier. • Benin’s kings claimed descent from a Yoruba king. • Benin’s artists claimed to have learned from Yoruba artists.

Section 2 Assessment 3.  What do you think was the most effective method Ghana used to regulate its economy? Explain. THINK ABOUT • trade routes • ownership of gold • taxes ANSWER • Controlling trade routes, because Ghana’s rulers could grow rich by taxing traders. • The law that only the king could own gold nuggets, because it kept inflation down. • Laws and practices ensuring fair trade and deterring bandits, because they helped trade thrive. Possible Responses:

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