Trading Empires of West Africa Africa is the second largest continent Five regions- North, West, Central, East, and Southern East Africa contains the Great Rift Vally North Africa contains the Sahara - world’s largest desert, (3.5 million sq. miles) Much of West Africa is grassy plain called savanna Along West Africa’s southern coast is the Tropical Rain Forest

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African Empires Nok people shaped iron by heating it in 300 B.C. They had strong weapons for hunting and fighting. Soninkes were skilled farmers and traders. They were in the center of a trading cycle with the Wangara and the Muslims. They traded salt and gold. They grew powerful and rich.

Ghana Empire The first great empire in West Africa was known as Ghana, which means “war chief.” They used iron weapons to conquer other people who did not have iron spears. The king kept up trade routes and charged a tariff on goods passing through.

Trade in Ghana The North Africans traded horses, swords, glass and wool clothing for gold, salt, ivory, cotton goods, animal skins and slaves. Muslim traders taught West African trades how to use money. They brought the Arabic Language and the Muslim religion, Islam to African Empires.

The Empire of Mali The Malinkes built an empire after Ghana fell. The greatest growth of the Mali empire occured from 1307 to 1332 under the mansa, or ruler named Mansa Musa. Mansa Musa added trading markets of Gao and Timbuktu.

Mali Mali was a center of learning. Mansa Musa encouraged knowledge and study. Mansa made his famous pilgrimage to the Muslim holy city of Mecca in

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Songhay Empire The Songhay Empire grew rich through control of trade routes across the Sahara and at the trading centers in Gao, Timbuktu and Jenne. The Songhay were powerful, but Moroccan guns defeated the Empire in 1591.

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African Resources: Find out about the great oral traditions of the groits at: Blank Map: history: Webquest: