1. Chapter 13 African Empires
The Geography of Africa p
West African Kingdoms p
East, Central and Southern Africa p

2. West African Kingdoms
Unit 5
Chapter 13
Lesson 2 p

3. West Africa

4. Kingdom of Ghana

5. Kingdom of Ghana The kingdom was rich in gold
KINGDOM of Ghana is not the same as Country of Ghana
The Arabs wrote of the history of Ghana
It started around 300 AD
Founded by the Soninke people
Early people in Ghana farmed, fished & herded cattle
Koumbi the Ghana capital became a major center of trade
By late 900’s Ghana a great trading empire
Trade routes brought Islamic faith to Ghana
Many of the Soninke converted to Islam
Ghana adopted Arabic writing
By 1203 Soninke lost power to King Sumanguru

6. Kingdom of Mali

7. Mali
in 1235 Sundiata defeated King Sumanguru and created Kingdom of Mali
Mali increased in size
Mali had strong agricultural economy but main source of wealth was trade
Discover of Gold on Niger River made Mali wealthy
By 1300 Mali most powerful Empire in West Africa

8. Mali’s King Mansa Musa Greatest Mali King Sundiata’s Grandson
Strong Muslim ruler
Many converted under his rule
Mansa Musa went on pilgrimage to Mecca
He had a HUGE entourage
Stayed in Egypt

9. Jenne-jenno
Ancient City located Southwest of Timbuktu

10. Mosque in present Day Jenne-jenno

11. Songhai

12. Songhai Group of farmers, traders & warriors along the Niger River
Fought to remain independent of Kingdom of Mali
City of Gao was the capital
By refused to pay tribute to Mali

13. Songhai King Sonni Ali Muslim influence created discord in Empire
Songhai became a major center of trade
Divided land into provinces
Professional army & navy
Muslim influence created discord in Empire
1591 Invaded & defeated by Moroccans with guns