Caravans Around 750 AD, under the influence of Islamic peoples, northern and western Africans began to use the camel to transport goods across this forbidding terrain.
Camels do several things exceptionally well: 1. carry unbelievably heavy loads 2. Go long distances and 2. keep their footing on sandy terrain.
Ghana ( AD) Salt from North Africa was traded for Ghana’s gold and farming produce
Timbuktu
Timbuktu as Center for Learning
Mansa Musa, King of Mali ( AD) 1.Visited Mecca 2.Spread Islam 3.Built Muslim houses of worship (Mosques)
5 Pillars of Islam 1.Allah is one true god. Muhammad is messenger 2. Pray 5 times a day facing Mecca 3. Give to poor (Almsgiving) 4. Travel to Mecca (Hajj) Mansa Musa? 5. Fast during Ramadan
Mansa Musa’s trip to Mecca (1324) His caravan consisted of 60,000 people 80 camels 4,000 pounds of gold 12,000 servants, each carrying staffs of gold Mansa Musa gave away so much gold that the price of gold fell worldwide for 12 years Returned with a Muslim scholar and architect
Mecca Cairo
Islam in Africa
Cultural Diffusion is the exchange of goods, ideas, and customs among different cultures
Ibn Batuta
Ibn Batuta and Marco Polo
Ibn Batuta ( ) African explorer born in Morocco who traveled 75,000 miles in 44 nations
Ibn Batuta
Zimbabwe ( AD) 1.Built 300 Walled Fortresses that cover a radius of 200 miles 2.Had as many as 18,000 inhabitants 3.Prospered from Gold Trade
Walls of Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe
Benin ( AD) 1. Created bronze statues 2. Traded slaves with Dutch