1. Section 3: The Kingdoms of West Africa

2. Section 3: The Kingdoms of West Africa
Main Idea
The expansion of trade across the Sahara led to the development of great empires and other states in West Africa.
Reading Focus
How did trade contribute to the rise of Ghana?
How did strong rulers build the empire of Mali?
What were the greatest achievements of the Songhai Empire?
What other societies arose in West Africa?

3. I. West Africa
West African cities grew into major commercial centers based on the trade of salt and gold

4. A. Empire of Ghana
The earliest West African kingdom was Ghana, established by the Soninke people after AD 300

5. A. Empire of Ghana A.D. 1235 - Invasions and loss of the salt trade
weakened Ghana. It was replaced by the
kingdom of Mali.

6. Mali reached its peak in the A.D. 1300s under the ruler Mansa Musa
B. Mali Empire
Mali reached its peak in the A.D. 1300s under the ruler Mansa Musa
Mansa Musa was the ruler of the vast Mandingo kingdom of Mali. From the mines of West Africa he amassed legendary amounts of gold, which his subjects traded for salt, weight for weight.

7. B. Mali Empire
Timbuktu became a center of learning. Its university drew scholars from Egypt and Arabia
A cultured center of learning and trade for a thousand years, Timbuktu crowns the bend of the Niger river in Mali. Its soaring towers, adobe architecture and plaster reliefs belong to a cultural style seen from Senegal to Nubia. Legend says that a woman named Buktu founded the city, and so it is named "Place of Buktu."

8. C. Empire of Songhai
A.D Rebel leader Sunni ‘Ali captured Timbuktu and established the kingdom of Songhai
The shaded portion indicates the greatest extent of the Songhai empire, ca. sixteenth century

9. Songhai was centered at the trading city of Gao on the Niger River
C. Empire of Songhai
Songhai was centered at the trading city of Gao on the Niger River

10. Songhai reached its height under Askia Muhammad – Songhai’s golden age
C. Empire of Songhai
Songhai reached its height under Askia Muhammad – Songhai’s golden age

11. C. Empire of Songhai
Askia was Songhai’s first Muslim ruler – his hajj to Mecca resulted in increased trade and wealth

12. C. Empire of Songhai
The empire declined due to internal fighting and was defeated by Morocco in 1591

13. D. Other West African States
Other societies developed east and south of the major empires

14. Hausa City-States Lived east of Songhai; never united as an empire
Economy based on farming, manufacturing, trade
Slaves became a major export
Skilled weavers - their dark blue cloth was in high demand in West Africa

17. Yoruba Kingdoms
Peoples who lived in same area and spoke related languages
Yoruba established several strong kingdoms
Widely admired for their artistic skills

19. Kingdom of Benin
Lived in the forests of the Niger delta; became a powerful state by the 1000s
Mid-1400s, Ewuare raised a powerful army and expanded kingdom
Benin sold prisoners as slaves to the Portuguese
Also became known for their arts

20. Kingdom of Benin