Chapter 11.2 Kingdoms of West Africa
Objectives: To understand why gold and salt were so important. Describe how the early rulers of Ghana, Mali, and Songhai built strong kingdoms. Summarize how other West African societies developed.
Focus Q: Nov. 30 Read page 347, “Trading Gold for Salt.” Key words Bullet point notes 1 complex sentence summary
Focus Q What will you eat at Thanksgiving dinner? What are your 2 favorites? Who does the preparation? Will you fall into a food coma?
Trade in the Sahara Early development of trade was tied to agricultural surplus About 100 A.D., the Sahara dried out—people migrate south Farming villages develop near Lake Chad, Senegal and Niger Rivers (Timbuktu, Gao) Produce a SURPLUS of crops: ***extra, abundance***
Trade in the Sahara Trade networks connect West Africa with Southern Africa, the Mediterranean, and SE Asia Caravans (1000 camels) cross the Sahara from West Africa taking leather goods, kola nuts, cotton cloth, slaves From North Africa: silk, metals, beads, horses
Trade Networks
Trading Gold for Salt Much salt in North Africa (Sahara)—salt block homes? How’d it get there? Used for diet, food preservation Gold in West Africa—Ghana, Senegal, Nigeria—but salt was scarce here ***Salt, gold are commodities—valuable products*** ***Ghana would trade 1 lb. of salt for 1 lb. of gold: scarcity = high price***
Mali Empire [13c-15c] SALT GOLD
Salt
Salt Mine
Ghana: The Land of Gold Ancient Ghana is where Senegal and Niger Rivers are close—Mali today ***The king controlled the gold/salt trade and collected taxes/tolls on all goods traded Helped build the kingdom*** Capital was Kumbi Saleh (map p. 349) Later, will be taken over by the Kingdom of Mali
Gold-Salt Trade Berbers SALT GOLD
Gold “Money”, Ghana/Ivory Coast Ghana Empire [4c-11c] Gold “Money”, Ghana/Ivory Coast
Panning for gold in Ivory Coast
Central African Republic
South Africa
The Kingdom of Mali Sundiata (1235), founded Mali Later kings control gold mines to the South and salt at Taghaza Towns like Timbuktu and Gao become trading centers
Timbuktu-”Heavenly Clay”
The Kingdom of Mali ***Mansa Musa—greatest ruler of Mali—25 yrs.*** Converts to Islam, system of justice based on Quran To ensure prosperity and peace—doesn’t impose Islam—promotes tolerance, religious freedom
Gold-Salt Trade Berbers SALT GOLD
***Islamic University is built in Timbuktu*** Hajj of Mansa Musa 1324—Hajj to Mecca Make economic ties w/ other Muslim states Brings back scholars, architects, teachers to promote Islam in Mali ***Islamic University is built in Timbuktu***
Mosque and University in Timbuktu Build of mud
Laugh with me…… The first sign of maturity is the discovery that the volume knob also turns to the left. I heard a report about a bad outbreak of the tummy bug, apparently 9 out of 10 people there suffered from diarrhea. I can’t stop thinking about that tenth person who apparently enjoyed it. Q: What do politicians and diapers have in common? A: Both should be changed regularly, and both for the same reason.
A New Empire in Songhai In 1400s, Mali weakens Wealthy city of Gao becomes capital of the Kingdom of Songhai
Songhai Empire [15c-16c] SALT GOLD
Extending the Empire Songhai develop around Niger River, present day Mali, Niger Soldier-king—Sonni Ali—builds largest African kingdom in West Africa ***Sonni Ali brings trade routes, wealthy cities under his control (Timbuktu)*** Follow traditional religion, doesn’t adopt Islam
Sunni Ali [r.1464-1492]
Smaller Societies of West Africa: Benin Besides Ghana, Mali, and Songhai, other societies grow in West Africa Farming (surpluses) and trading were keys to their success
Benin Empire [15c-19c]
Benin In the rain forest of the Guinea coast Build farming villages and ***Trade pepper, ivory, and later slaves to neighbors in the savanna***
Benin Bronze Leopard
Bronze Heads from Benin (16c)