1. Societies of West Africa MAIN IDEA The people of West Africa developed sophisticated kingdoms, trade networks, and artistic achievements.

2. WHY IT MATTERS NOW It was from this region that many Africans were brought to the Americas.

3. The Sahara Highway Trading network connects West Africa to North Africa, Europe, Asia. Ghana becomes the first West African kingdom to grow rich through trade, 700-1000s. -Marketplace for gold and salt. -Mali replaces Ghana. Traders bring Islam by 1200s court religion of Mali, later Songhai.

4. The Portuguese Arrive By 1470s, Portuguese have coastal outpost near Akan goldfields. Direct trade creates closer relations with Europe. Slave Trade Plantations-Large farm with single crop.

5. Songhai By the mid-1400s, controls Sahara trade Sunni Ali rules 1464-1492, conquers largest empire in area’s history. Askia Muhammad is master organizer, devout Muslim, scholar Timbuktu again becomes great center of Islam learning Controls savanna, but not the forest area Other kingdoms thrive in coastal rain forest

6. Benin Forest kingdoms trade with Songhai, North Africa, and Portugal. Benin dominates large area around Niger Delta Oba, or ruler, controls trade, district chiefs and metal work

7. Kongo Many small kingdoms in the rain forest, lower Zaire (Congo) River. Manikongo, or ruler, oversees empire of over 4 million people. Kongo system of government very similar to that of European nation.

8. Kongo Kingdom

9. Family and Government Lineage- common descent- decides loyalty, inheritance, marriage. Oldest relative (age) controls family, represents family in group councils. Group shares language, history, often territory; has one chief.

10. Religion All things spirits; ancestor sprits visit elders in dreams. Most cultures believe in single creator; spirits do his work. Christians, Muslim rule of not worshipping source of conflict.

11. Livelihood Make a living from farming, herding, hunting, fishing, mining, and trading. Land is owned by family or village; individuals farm plots.

12. Use of the Slave Trade Slaves are lowest social group; not inherited or permanent. Slaves freed through adoption by owners, marriage, or other means.