Africa West African Kingdoms

Aim: How did the West African kingdoms develop into trading empires? Do Now: Answer review Multiple Choice Questions on African Geography

GHANA, MALI AND SONGHAI Today, we going to practice answer reading comprehension question based on a passage. As a class, let’s read “The Empire of Ghana.” After, we will answer follow-up questions.

Ghana

1. What years did the Kingdom of Ghana develop? 2. Where was it located? 3. Why was this location ideal (good) for farming and trade? 4. How was the Empire of Ghana able to be so powerful? 5. What was the empire of Ghana famous for? 6. Why was it so valuable?

Student Pair-Work Read Mali and Songhai Answer the multiple choice reading comprehension questions that follow.

Student Debrief Fill in your notes on the 3 African Kingdoms.

Ghana is the land of gold Two most important trading goods: –1. Gold –2. Salt Gold came from the Savanna Salt deposits were found in the Sahara Desert This important trade of gold and salt took place on the trans-Saharan trade The king was the only one allowed to keep gold nuggets. This way he could keep the price of gold high.

Ghana Gold!

Mali

Like Ghana, Mali became wealthy because of gold. A man name Mansa Musa became leader of Mali. He was a devout Muslim. Because of Mansa Musa, Mali grew to become twice the size of Ghana. The city of Timbuktu became a center of trade and learning because Mansa Musa ordered mosques and universities to be built. Timbuktu is the location of the House of Wisdom

Songhai

After Mali declined, people broke away and formed a new civilization near the Niger river. Two great rulers name: –1. Sunni Ali –2. Askia Muhammad

Songhai Sunni Ali captured the city of Timbuktu. Askia Muhammad was an excellent administrator. He set up an efficient tax system and chose able officials. Later they were taken over by the Moroccans who were fighting with guns.

Pictures Cited Slide Slide 2 – Slide 4 – –Picture 1 – –Picture 2 – Slide 5 – –Picture 1 – –Picture 2 – Slide Slide 8 – Slide 9 – Slie