1. Chapter 11.2 Kingdoms of West Africa

2. Objectives: To understand why gold and salt were so important.
Describe how the early rulers of Ghana, Mali, and Songhai built strong kingdoms.
Summarize how other West African societies developed.

3. Focus Q: Dec. 10 Read page 347, “Trading Gold for Salt.” Key words
Bullet point notes
1 complex sentence summary

4. Focus Q What will you eat at Thanksgiving dinner?
What are your 2 favorites?
Who does the preparation?
Will you fall into a food coma?

5. Trade in the Sahara
Early development of trade was tied to agricultural surplus
About 100 A.D., the Sahara dried out—people migrate south
Farming villages develop near Lake Chad, Senegal and Niger Rivers (Timbuktu, Gao)
Produce a SURPLUS of crops: ***extra, abundance***

7. Trade in the Sahara
Trade networks connect West Africa with Southern Africa, the Mediterranean, and SE Asia
Caravans cross the Sahara from West Africa taking leather goods, kola nuts, cotton cloth, slaves
From North Africa: silk, metals, beads, horses

8. Trade Networks

9. Trading Gold for Salt
Much salt in North Africa (Sahara)—salt block homes?
Used in diet, food preservation
Gold in West Africa—Ghana, Senegal, Nigeria—but salt was scarce here
***Salt, gold are commodities—valuable products***
***Ghana would trade 1 lb. of salt for 1 lb. of gold: scarcity = high price***

10. Mali Empire [13c-15c]
SALT
GOLD

11. Salt

13. Salt Mine

14. Ghana: The Land of Gold
Ancient Ghana is where Senegal and Niger Rivers are close—Mali today
***The king controlled the gold/salt trade and collected taxes/tolls on all goods traded
Helped build the kingdom***
Capital was Kumbi Saleh (map p. 349)
Later, will be taken over by the Kingdom of Mali

16. Gold-Salt Trade
Berbers
SALT
GOLD

17. Gold “Money”, Ghana/Ivory Coast
Ghana Empire [4c-11c]
Gold “Money”, Ghana/Ivory Coast

19. Panning for gold
in Ivory Coast

20. Central African Republic

21. South Africa

22. The Kingdom of Mali Sundiata (1235), founded Mali
Later kings control gold mines to the South and salt at Taghaza
Towns like Timbuktu and Gao become trading centers

24. Timbuktu-”Heavenly Clay”

25. The Kingdom of Mali ***Mansa Musa—greatest ruler of Mali—25 yrs.***
Converts to Islam, system of justice based on Quran
To ensure prosperity and peace—doesn’t impose Islam—promotes tolerance, religious freedom

26. Gold-Salt Trade
Berbers
SALT
GOLD

27. ***Islamic University is built in Timbuktu***
Hajj of Mansa Musa
1324—Hajj to Mecca
Make economic ties w/ other Muslim states
Brings back scholars, architects, teachers to promote Islam in Mali
***Islamic University is built in Timbuktu***

28. A New Empire in Songhai In 1400s, Mali weakens
Wealthy city of Gao becomes capital of the Kingdom of Songhai

29. Songhai Empire [15c-16c]
SALT
GOLD

31. Extending the Empire
Songhai develop around Niger River, present day Mali, Niger
Soldier-king—Sonni Ali—builds largest African kingdom in West Africa
***Sonni Ali brings trade routes, wealthy cities under his control (Timbuktu)***
Follow traditional religion, doesn’t adopt Islam

32. Sunni Ali [r ]

33. Smaller Societies of West Africa: Benin
Besides Ghana, Mali, and Songhai, other societies grow in West Africa
Farming (surpluses) and trading were keys to their success

34. Benin Empire [15c-19c]

35. Any questions? Benin In the rain forest of the Guinea coast
Build farming villages and
***Trade pepper, ivory, and later slaves to neighbors in the savanna***
Any questions?

36. Benin Bronze Leopard

37. Bronze Heads from Benin (16c)