Trading Kingdoms of West Africa Please take out paper or notebook for notes.

Main ideas West Africa developed three great kingdoms that grew wealthy through their control of trade Slave became a valuable trade item in West Africa

The Kingdom of Ghana Ghana started out as different families of Soninke farmers along the Niger River who banded together to protect themselves from nomadic herders. Ghana became rich off of gold and salt. People wanted gold for the beauty and salt for their diets to survive. Trade allowed Ghana’s rulers to become more powerful and built armies with superior iron weapons By 800 A.D. Ghana controlled many trading routes and made more money by taxing every trader who entered Ghana, and then taxed again on any goods he took with him. Ghana was weakened by Muslims called Almoravids who tried to force Islam on them. They cut off trade routes and the empire fell.

The Kingdom of Mali As Ghana weakened, the kingdom of Mali grew in the same area. According to legend, Mali’s rise to power began under ruler named Sundiata. Most famous ruler was Mansa Musa, who brought Mali to the height of its wealth, power and fame. He ruled from 1312-1337 (25 years) and added important trading cities: Timbuktu, Djenné and Gao.

Mali (cont.) Mansa Musa known for his hajj, pilgrimage to Mecca, and spread Islam and made his empire famous with all the gold he brought with him. He created schools in Mali for studying the Qur'an and had mosques built for prayer. After Mansa Musa died, weak leadership caused the empire to decline.

Kingdom of Songhai In the 1300s Mansa Musa had conquered a rival kingdom called the Songhai. They grew in strength as Mali weakened. Greatest leader was Muhammad Ture, who took the title Askia, a military rank. Became known as Askia the Great. Created the world’s first university in Timbuktu. People from all parts of West Africa came to study math, science, medicine, grammar and law. He created a more efficient government with five provinces, loyal governors to rule them, and specialized gov’t departments to oversee various tasks. Soon after Askia the Great lost power and Songhai declined being taken over by Moroccans.

West African Slave Trade Slavery had existed in Africa and many parts of the world for centuries. Traditionally, in West Africa slavery mostly involved black Africans as slaves and slaveholders. This changed in the 600s with the arrival of Arab Muslims, and later Europeans. Europeans became more interested in slave trade as they explored the new world. People became slaves by being captured by warring groups during battle could be sold into slavery as well as criminals; Others were captured during raids on villages and sometimes relatives of people who owed money.

West African Slave Trade The market for West African slaves increased as Muslim traders bought and seized black Africans to sell in North Africa. Most of African slaves brought to the Americas were from West Africa. Over time slave trade became important to West African economy as kings traded slaves for valuable goods such as horses from the Middle East and textiles and weapons from Europe.