1. Ghana’s Trading Empire

3. Silent Bartering
Process in which people exchange goods without contacting each other directly
Salt traders from north left slabs of salt on the riverbank
Gold miners from south left what they thought was a fair amount of gold
Why?

4. Silent Bartering
Peaceful
Kept gold mines secret

5. Results – Gold/Salt Trade
Increase trade
Increase power of Ghana’s rulers (equipped with iron weapons)
Ghana took control over trade from North African merchants
Added other items: wheat, sheep, cattle, honey, leather, and cloth
Result: Ghana became prosperous

6. West African Empire
By A.D. 800 – Ghana controlled trade in West Africa
Army protected routes
Led to ….
WEALTH

7. HMMM….. More and more traders More profit Tax – goods imported Tax –
Neighboring tribes
Tax –
people of Ghana
Tax –
goods exported

8. Wealthy Rulers Showed King was wealthier than his subjects!
Rulers kept gold for themselves
Prohibited people from owning gold nuggets; only gold dust
Why?
Showed King was wealthier than his subjects!

9. Controlling the Empire
Army – conquered neighboring tribes
Protected trade routes
Governors (mansas) – local rulers who remained loyal to king

10. Tunka Manin Empire peaked Lavish/displayed wealth for all to see
Nephew of a previous king – Basi
Kingship was passed from uncle to nephew (only king’s sister’s son could inherit the throne)
Learned about Tunka from Muslim geographer

11. Decline mid 1000s - Ghana was rich and powerful
By 1200s – Empire had declined
Why?

12. #1 - Invasion Almoravids – North African Muslims attacked 1060s
In 14 years – defeated Ghana
Control was short lived but…
-cut off trade routes
-formed new partnerships with Muslim leaders
Without trade – could not support empire

14. #2 - Overgrazing Almoravids brought herds of animals with them
Ate grass – left soil exposed to hot desert winds
Result….
Farmers had to leave and find new homes

15. #3 – Internal Rebellion 1200 – conquered people rebelled
Within a few years rebels had taken over the entire Empire
However….
Rebels could not keep order …..

16. Ghana was conquered by other groups…

17. The Great Mosque of Djenne is the largest mud brick building in the world

18. Nara
Nara