Ghana The Land of Gold

Introduction Great trading kingdoms were developing in West Africa around the same time that city-states were developing in East and North Africa. The power of the West African kingdoms was based on the trade of salt and gold. People need salt to survive in the hot climate of West Africa and there were no local sources of salt in the region. North Africa had plenty of salt and no gold. A brisk trade between North and West Africa quickly grew.

Early Empire Circa 300, the first great West African trading empire emerged. This kingdom was founded by the Berbers from the north. It formed on the edge of the Sahara between the Senegal and Niger Rivers. Ghana’s wealth grew out of its location on the trade route between North Africa and West Africa.

Trade Ghana controlled trade in West Africa. Kings grew rich from taxes they charged on salt, gold and other goods that flowed through their kingdom. Trade flourished between Ghana and the Arabs across the Sahara Desert. Gold and slaves were traded for salt, horses, cloth, swords, books.

Warrior Kings The kings of Ghana were great warriors. The word Ghana means “warrior king.” Kings maintained huge armies. These armies would enforce the power throughout the kingdom. Sometimes there were as many as 200,000 soldiers. King Tenkamenin had such an army. Ghana’s government had a lower court and a court of appeal. The king was the final authority of the supreme court.

Culture Ghana had a highly organized culture Kings were religious leaders who were seen as earthly representatives of their ancestors. Kings displayed their great wealth at the royal court. It is said that attendants would hold gold shields, horses were draped in gold cloth and dogs would wear gold collars.

Growth and Development The power of Ghana was based on the trade of gold and salt. The secrecy of the gold mine locations protected the wealth in the Kingdom of Ghana. Active markets in the capital of Koumbi Saleh would sell leather, pottery, iron, gold, copper. Arabs called Ghana the land of gold. Taxes on trade helped make Ghana rich.

Decline The height of the Ghana empire came to an end when they were invaded from the North. War and the loss of natural resources led to the downfall. Invasions led by the Almoravids and then the Mandingoes c conquered Ghana and lead to the development of the Kingdom of Mali.

Kingdom of Ghana When? 500 AD – 1076 AD Where? Western Sahara and along the Niger River What made them wealthy? Controlled the GOLD mines in the region