1. African Kingdoms and Empires

2. Ghana Located in W. Africa Rose to power after 750
Grew rich from trans-Saharan trade in gold and salt
Expanded into an empire

3. Conquered by North Africans in 1076 who wanted to…
A) take over trade routes
B) spread Islam
Influenced later West African kingdoms

4. Mali Also located in W. Africa
Rose to power around 1200 AD following Ghana’s decline
By 1240, it had gained control of the gold-salt trade

5. The Great Mosque at Djenne

6. Minaret made of mud

7. “So abundant is the gold which is found in his country that he is the richest and most noble king in all the land.”

8. Ethiopia
1st kingdom in the region was Axum, established in 1st century BC
Christianity was introduced from Egypt in 300’s
Became isolated after rise of Islam in 600’s

9. The Swahili Coast
City-states along the coast of the Indian Ocean became wealthy through sea trade

10. Islam was established by migrants from Arabia
Arab and African traditions blended to create a new Swahili culture

11. Southern Africa
Remained relatively isolated until the arrival of Europeans in the 1400’s
Rich in mineral resources
Great Zimbabwe shipped gold to the coast and became the center of an extensive empire

12. Ruins of Great Zimbabwe

13. Walls of Great Zimbabwe