West African Empires and Civilizations

West Africa contained several powerful empires and states, including Ghana, Mali, and Songhai. These empires demonstrate the richness of African culture before European colonization.

Ghana: the Land of Gold In 3rd c., Berber nomads began using the camel to cross the Sahara for trade “Fleets of the desert” Adapted to conditions in desert Muslim use the word “ghana” or war chief to refer to the region By the 700’s, rulers of the kingdom of Ghana grew rich from trade

Gold-Salt Trade Gold & salt were the 2 most important trade items Gold came from the south of the Savanna between Niger & Senegal rivers Until 1350, 2/3 of the world’s gold supply came from W. Africa Villages from south lacked salt Ghana traded gold for salt Sahara contained deposits of salt Ghana provided protection, taxed and weighed goods Village: Taghaza built houses from salt blocks

Importance of Salt Preserve food Improve food’s taste Needed to replace what their bodies lost in the hot climate

Land of Gold By 800, king of Ghana rules an empire and taxes surrounding kings Only king can own gold nuggets; this keeps prices high King commands army, acts as chief judge and religious leader Al Bakri, 11th c. Muslim traveler claimed Ghana’s army was 200,000 strong Modern scholars believe it’s exaggerated

Islamic Influences Islam spreads thru trade south of Sahara Introduced by Muslim merchants & teachers Ghana’s rulers convert by 11th century Population observed both animistic beliefs & Islam 1076 Muslim Almoravids of N. Africa conquered Ghana Disrupts Gold/Salt trade Fall of Ghana

Empire of Mali By 1235, Ghana replaced by Mali—another kingdom based on gold trade Mali becomes wealthy as the gold trade routes shift eastward Mali: “where the king lives”

Sundiata Means “lion prince” & symbol for his clan Born w/ disability, learned to walk by 7 yrs Compared to G.Washington or FDR One of 12 royal brothers who were heir to throne All brothers murdered by rival leader His army defeats rival in 1235 Becomes “mansa” or emperor Reestablished gold-salt trade Died in 1255

Mansa Musa Ruled from 1312-1332 Muslim Skilled military leader w/ 100,000-man army Empire 2x larger than Ghana’s 1324 went on hajj Joined by 1000’s of servants & soldiers Lavished others w/ gifts of gold So much that it caused value to go down Spanish mapmaker drew map at right. What conclusions would you draw if you were a Spanish merchant or traveler who saw the map shortly after it was created in 1375?

Timbuktu Mansa Musa returns from hajj determined to make Timbuktu a center of Islamic learning & culture Built mosques, attracted scholars, religious leaders, artists, doctors Divided empire into provinces and appointed governors

Travels of Ibn Battuta Native of Tangier in N. Africa Traveler (27 yrs.) and historian Traveled throughout Muslim world Compared to Marco Polo, but he traveled for knowledge Reliable & valuable accounts for info of Muslim world Praised empire of Mali for study of Qur’an Impressed by Mali;s justice system- “They are seldom unjust..Their leader shows no mercy to anyone who is guilty of the least act of it. There is complete security in their country. Neither traveler not inhabitant in it has anything to fear from robbers.”

Decline Mali declines in 1400’s as Mansa Musa’s successors lack the ability to govern well. Gold trade shifts eastward as new goldfields develop

Empire of Songhai East of Mali Built up army, extend army to large bend in Niger River Gao is capital of empire

Sunni Ali, conquering hero Built vast empire by military conquest Professional army War canoes Forces on horseback Captured Timbuktu & Djenne (cntr of trade in Mali) Have control of Gold-Salt trade Muslim

Askia Muhammad Governs Well Drove out Sunni Ali’s son Askia means “usurper” Excellent administrator Revived Timbuktu as a center of Muslim learning Lacked modern weapons 1591 Moroccan fighting force w/ gunpowder & cannons invaded Songhai -Defeat the Songhai warriors Ends 1,000 yr. period of powerful empires in central West Africa

Other People of W. Africa Hausa Yoruba Benin

Hausa City-States Compete Group of people named after the language they spoke Emerged b/n 1000 and 1200 in savanna, east of Mali (n. Nigeria) Dependent on crops of farmers & on trade in salt, grain, cotton Located on major trading route One southern most state, Zazzau, vigorously traded enslaved people to other Hausa states Sold to other N. or W. Africans in exchange for horses, harnesses, and guns Kept slaves to build & repair city walls; grow food Had own armies for control, but NEVER built a Hausa empire CITY STATES instead because they could not get along with each other

Yoruba Kings & Artists Spoke common language and lived in forest Located in modern Benin & sw Nigeria Farmers Divine kings: religious & political leaders Trace descent to 1st ruler of Ife (1st Yoruba state) King of Ife was highest spiritual authority Ife and Oyo were 2 largest kingdoms -Large urban centers -High walls surrounding city -Farmers in countryside produced surplus food -Traders & craftspeople in city Ife produced gifted artists Carved wood & ivory Terra-cotta sculptures & cast in bronze, brass, copper Rulers portrayed in realistic way Yoruba head crowned with serpent, symbol of monarchy. Bronze, Nigeria.

Kingdom of Benin S. W. of Ife Homes in forest 1st kings from 1300’s Oba (ruler) based right to rule on claims of descent from 1st king of Ife Artists created brass & copper figurines -Yoruba artists taught their techniques to Benin Queen mother, woven crown called a “chicken’s beak”

Benin continued Walls & columns of royal palace show legends, historical scenes, deeds of Benin rulers 1480’s Portuguese trading ships begin to sail into Benin’s port Trade w/ Benin for pepper, leopard skins, ivory, & slaves Portuguese traders. Brass plaque, middle Edo period (1575–1625), Palace of Benin Obas.

Write the letter that does not match the West African empire, state, or people. 1. Ghana A. adopted Islam B. grew rich by taxing the gold-salt trade C. was overrun by the Muslim Almoravids D. was the largest empire ever to exist in West Africa

2. Mali A. was an empire in the Sahara B. was ruled by Sundiata and Mansa Musa C. was visited by the traveler and historian, Ibn Batuta D. grew rich by participating in the gold-salt trade

3. Songhai A. Controlled important gold salt trade routes B. Was an empire built through military C. Was ruled by Sunni Ali and Askia Muhammad D. Was known for developing advanced weaponry

4. Hausa people A. Formed a savanna culture B. Were located on important trade routes C. Dominated the West African gold trade D. Developed powerful independent city states

5. Yoruba people A. Were a forest civilization B. Spoke a common language C. Built the Ife and Oyo kingdoms D. Lacked a centralized form of government

6. Benin A. Encouraged artistic efforts B. Traded with the Portuguese C. Was a savannah civilization D. Was organized as a kingdom