1. Kingdoms of Africa: Ghana, Mali, and Songhai

2. Kingdom of Ghana Western Africa, located on the Senegal River
Emerged in 500 A.D.
1st Great Traders of West Africa
Gold and Salt trade
Farming communities throughout nation
Strong rulers, no laws to govern with
Rulers acted as religious leader, judge, and military commander as well
Well trained army to protect Kingdom
Vast wealth- resources of gold, silver, and iron ore

4. Ghana Continued Traded gold and salt but also cloth and weapons
Berbers- traders whom carried the products across the desert
Camels used
About 3 miles per hours, about 60 days to reach destination
Spread of Islamic ideas through trade
Literacy grew- study of the Qu’ran

6. Empire of Ghana King collected taxes on all goods traded
Usually took tax payments as gold or salt blocks
King controlled/owned all gold
Preventing it from losing its value you at market
Type of economy- Government Controlled!
Elaborate dress for the wealthy
800 A.D.- reached empire status
Smaller rulers left in place over territories
Like a bureaucracy
Independent rulers pay tax = freedom of state

7. End of Ghana Lived in luxury for hundreds of years Weakened by war
Collapsed in the 1200’s
Invasion

8. Kingdom of Mali 12th Century Defeated Ghana, captured capital 1240
Extended from Atlantic Coast to Timbuktu
Wealth came from gold and salt trade
Each village had its own ruler
Ruler governed and sent money to the king of Mali

10. Mansa Meaning “ruler” Major Ruler- Sundiata
provided wealth and power to empire
re-organized government
Capital- Niani
moved government westward provided more trading posts

11. Mansa Musa Powerful king, 1312- 1337
Extended kingdom (double the size)
Strong central govt., kingdom divided into provinces
Timbuktu- Islamic learning center
Pilgrimage to Mecca, wanted education in Mali
Built mosques and libraries
Civil War, 1359 divided Mali, beginning of the end

12. Kingdom of Songhai Niger River Valley Islamic kingdom
Land very fertile (yearly flooding)
Islamic kingdom
Benefited from Muslim trade routes
Askia the Great- expanded the kingdom, 1464
Cities - Timbuktu and Djenne
Created a professional army
Gave total control of trade routes to Songhai
Ruled for over 30 years

14. Songhai Continued Muhammad Ture - Golden Age ruler
Expansion, peaceful and secure time
After his reign entered into a decline
By Songhai completely declined
Lacked modern weapons
Overthrown finally by North African armies