West African Civilizations Chapter 15 Section 2

Key Terms Ghana Malli Sundiata Mansa Musa Ibn Battuta Songhai Hausa Yoruba Benin

Empire of Ghana Limited trade Most animals cannot cross the desert 3rd century camels were used 700 Ghana grew rich by taxing goods and traders traveling through the country

Gold-Salt Trade Gold came from the forest Niger and Senegal Two thirds of worlds gold came from Ghana till 1350 Sahara had salt People build houses out of salt

Gold-Salt Trade Berbers crossed the desert in camel caravans Traders brought gold from the North Merchants met in trading cities Made sure taxes paid and good weighed fairly Royal guards provided protection

Land of Gold 800 Ghana an empire Only king could own gold nuggets Gold dust was traded King limited gold supply and kept price up Ghana’s ruler Religious leader Chief judge Military commander

Islamic Influences Spread through trade and conquest 11th century Ghana converted too Islam Animism-spirits in living things play an important part in life Islam encouraged literacy

Islamic Influences Converts to Islam had to read the Qur’an 1076 Muslim Almoravids completed conquest of Ghana Almoravid eventually left Ghana War badly disrupted gold-salt trade

Empire of Mali 1235 kingdom emerged Mali’s wealth built on gold Trade routes shifted eastward to Mali Sundiata-Mali’s first great leader Became Mali’s Mansa (emperor)

Sundiata Conquers an Empire Sundiata had a period of peace He had administrators for finance Promoted agriculture and the gold-salt trade Mali means where the king lives

Mansa Musa Ruled from 1312-1332 Skilled military leader 100,000 man Army protects against attack Empire expanded to twice its size Divided into provinces with governors

Mansa Musa Went on a Hajj to Mecca Ordered new mosques in Timuktu Became most important city in the empire Judges Doctors Scholars Religious leaders Excellent universities and mosques

Travels of Ibn Battuta 1352 successor to Mansa Musa From Tangier Traveled for 27 years visiting most Muslim countries Traveled safely, praised the Qur’an Criticized for not following moral code

Travels of Ibn Battuta Left Mali in 1353 Empire began to weaken Successors lacked the ability to govern Gold trade shifted as new fields were found

Empire of Songhai People of the east Strong Army Sunni Ali Rule begins in 1464 captures Timbuktu Five years later took Djenne Surrounded the city for 7 years Married their queen

Askia Muhammad 1492 after Sunni’s death Drove Sunni Ali’s son from power Ruled for 37 years Excellent administrator Centralized the government Appointed officials to run the government

Askia Muhammad Lacked modern weapons Arabs develop first gun to shoot arrows Moroccan’s had cannons Moroccans quickly defeated the Songhai Ends 1000 year period of kingdoms and empires ruled central Africa

Other Peoples of West Africa Hausa- group of people named after their language Appeared 1000-1200 Mali and Songhai Hausa city-states Vigorous slave trade Traded horses, harnesses, guns

Other Peoples of West Africa All Hausa city-states had similar government Ministers and officials check power Each city-state had an army (mounted horsemen) Fighting between city-states prevented and empire

Yoruba Kings and Artists All spoke a common language Number of small city-states in Benin Farmers Joined together to form several Yoruba Kingdoms

Yoruba Kings and Artists Kings considered divine Descendants of Ife Creator sent the first ruler to earth Sons became head of Yoruba kingdoms Chiefs consider king highest spiritual authority

Yoruba Kings and Artists Secret society reviewed the king’s decisions Ife and Oyo two largest kingdoms Ife most powerful from 1100-1600 City dwellers crafts people and traders

Yoruba Kings and Artists Ife artists Carved wood Carved ivory Terra cotta sculptures Sculptures caste in metal Rulers supplied artists Clay and metal portray rulers life

Kingdom of Benin Delta of Niger River Port of Gwatto Traded with Portuguese First kings 1200’s Descent from first king of Ife Lagos, Nigeria Fortified with walls

Kingdom of Benin Huge palace Artists created Brass heads of the royal family Copper figurines Brass plaques on wall showed historical scenes and deeds of nobles Learned from an Ife artist

Kingdom of Benin 1480’s Portuguese traded pepper, leopard skins, ivory and enslaved persons Began European interference in Africa They enslaved Africans Seized territories for colonies Prospered from trade