The African Ethos

African Slavery

The Kingdoms of Central and West Africa

Ghana Empire

Mali Empire

Songhai Empire

Clues Africans believed in a Supreme Creator and worshipped ancestors As in Europe, the center of African social organization was the family unit Emerged after the death of Mansa Musa, 1332, and gained independence from Mali in 1435 Empire of Ashanti Following decline of Ghana due to attacks from North African Muslims 400s-1000s developed Gold trade, rice cultivation… Individualism was seen as distasteful and widely disdained Large trading empires of West Africa were on the decline, making them more vulnerable Mandingo people were dominant Mansa Musa brought Muslim scholars to Mali and established Timbuktu Morocco defeated Songhai due to their ability to procure modern guns Rose to peak during early 1300s Slavery existed as a normal social condition in this period, little to do with skin color Slaves were a sign of wealth for the owners, who treated their property very well The Ghana Empire The Kongo Kingdom The Mali Empire The Songhai Empire The status of slavery was not inherited and always held the potential for reversal 3x size of Ghana at peak