1. West African Civilizations Ghana, Mali, Songhai

2. GHANA Controlled trans-Saharan trade with the help of the camel
Two most important trade items were GOLD and SALT.
Muslim merchants played a huge role in spreading Islam and many in Ghana converted to Islam

3. Description of Ghana’s royal court from a Muslim scholar.

4. MALI
Wealth built on gold and salt trade.
Sundiata- Mali’s first great leader, took over Ghana
Mansa Musa- ruled Mali from about ; Musa was a devout Muslim and took his hajj to Mecca from When he returned he ordered the building of new mosques in Timbuktu.
Timbuktu became a major trading/educational center of the empire.
Ibn Battuta- traveler and historian who traveled to Mali. Impressed with Mali’s justice system. Also visited most countries of the Islamic world.
Mansa Musa was a Muslim from Mali who went to Mecca.

6. SONGHAI
Came into power after Mali
Capital- Gao
Sunni Ali- Muslim ruler who built a vast empire by military conquests. Captured Timbuktu.
Fell because they lacked modern weapons.

7. Mansa Musa Song