1. Societies & Empires in West Africa
Map of West Africa, c (Venetian – Girolamo Ruscelli)

2. Ghana Empire ( )
Introduction of camel allowed trans Sahara trade
Gold-Salt Trade
Gold from south of Sahara / Niger River (no salt)
Salt abundant in Sahara
Merchants met in cities for transactions
Control of trade routes meant wealth, power!
Ghana grew from taxing the merchants

3. Ghana Empire Height of Ghana Empire
King owned all gold and controlled supply to keep value high
Had officials observe trade, business to maintain fairness
Powerful army kept trade routes safe
Around 1000, Ghanese leaders convert to Islam
By 1076 Berbers from West Sahara conquer Ghana
Ghana Empire

4. Muslim States in North Africa
Extent of Almoravid Dynasty
By 670, Muslims ruled Maghrib
Almoravid Dynasty started around 1000
Almoravids were a family of Berbers from West Sahara
Conquered Ghana in 1076
Conquered Spain – called Moors (remember Othello?)

5. Empire of Mali ( )
Miners found gold further east, resulting in shifting trade routes
Shift of power to state of Mali
King Sundiata
Used military strength
to conquer trade cities, creating empire
Delegated authority by putting good people in charge of trade, defense
Promoted agriculture and trade
Died 1255; next rulers convert to Islam

6. Empire of Mali King Mansa Musa (grand- nephew of Sundiata)
Skilled military leader who doubled size of Empire (incl. Timbuktu)
Divided empire into provinces with appointed governors
Large, powerful armies kept peace, safe trade
Built many mosques, to spread Islamic faith
Hajj story
Later leaders not as strong, and empire declined
Mansa Musa, (holding gold nugget)
Mansa, in Cairo

7. Empires of Songhai ( )
New gold discoveries further east again shift trade routes
Songhai, near Niger River, controls new routes
King Sunni Ali
Strong military, with navy and cavalry, conquer large area
Created peace, prosperity
Timbuktu became major trade, cultural center
Dies 1492 – revolt against son
Songhai Empire, one of the largest African
empires in history (more land than all
of Western Europe!)

8. Empire of Songhai Replaced with King Askia Muhammad (1493-1528)
Set up efficient bureaucracy, trade & tax system
Fervent Muslims
Built stronger military and agricultural system
Defeated 1591 by Moroccans using gunpowder weapons
Moroccans divided Songhai into many small kingdoms
Askia Muhammad
Ended 1000 years of empires in
West Africa
Mosque of Timbuktu