1. African Rulers

2. Tunka Manin 1062-1076 King of Ghana Ghana at peak of power and wealth
Held off Almoravid attacks
Expanded empire
Salt more valuable than gold

3. Collapse of Ghana
Rebels from neighboring conquered territories fought back
Almoravids ruined soil with overgrazing
Almoravids invaded, cutting off trade routes and weakening the economy

4. Sundiata Keita 1235-1255 Founder of Mali empire
Built army before conquering and destroying Kumbi

5. Sunni Ali 1464=1492 Songhai Gao became Songhai
Unified and strengthened empire
Brought stability and peace
powerful and harsh ruler

6. Mansa Musa 1312=1337 Mali Mansa means sultan
Spread Islam through large areas of West Africa
Went on Hajj
Made Mali famous in Europe, Asia, and Africa
Supported education, Qur’an, Arabic
Timbuktu center of education

7. Askia the Great 1493-1529 Songhai Birth name Muhammad Ture
Restored Timbuktu center of universities- science, math, law
Blind at 80
Divided empire into provinces
Son Musa forced from power

8. Askia the Great