1. Africa’s Government and Religion
Chapter 13 Section 2
Africa’s Government and Religion

2. West African Government
Central authority- King or Queen
settled disputed, managed trade, protected the empire
Give and take relationship with ruler and subject

3. Ghana’s Government King Controlled trade Traded in gold dust
council of ministers
Controlled trade
Traded in gold dust
Throne went to King’s nephew

4. Ghana’s Government (cont.)
Ghana divided into provinces- lesser kings
Smaller districts of clans
Clan- a group of people descended from the same ancestor

5. Mali’s Government King
Royal officials- each man oversaw a specific things
Divided into provinces- generals as leaders
Rulers of Mali rewarded citizens for loyalty

6. Songhai’s Government Built on traditions of Ghana and Mali
Songhai’s king Sunni Ali dies
His successor introduced Islam as the new religion

7. Traditional African Religions
Understood Islamic and Christian religions-but wanted to practice their own
Religions varied by region
Rules for living
Connected to their history
Honored ancestors

8. Islam in Africa Helped trade with Muslim-Arabs
Cities vs. countryside and isolated areas
Mansa Musa used wealth to spread Islam in Mali
Pilgrimage to Makkah
Built Mosques

9. Islam in Africa Askia Muhammad- Songhai Largest empire in West Africa
Timbuktu-center of Islamic culture
150 schools to teach the Quran

10. Islam in Africa East Africa Development of Swahili
Unique culture of East Africa’s coast and the language spoken there
Mix of African and Muslim influences

11. Islam in Africa Impact on Africa’s culture:
Laws and ideas of right and wrong
Advanced Learning
Architecture

12. Review
What was brought over by the Romans that made travel through the desert easier?
What was the two things that were traded in West Africa?
What were the three empires from West Africa?
What city-state accepted Christianity as its main religion?

13. Review What invention did Arab-Muslim traders bring to East Africa?
What advantage did the rainforest kingdoms have over the empires of West Africa?
What were the names of the two rainforest kingdoms?
How was the Sahara both a barrier and a highway for trade?

14. Review What does a surplus allow a society to do?
How did the location of all of these empires help them succeed?
What was the government of Ghana like?
How was the traditional African religion similar to Islam? How was it different?

15. Review What is Islam’s affect on West Africa?
What is it’s affect on East Africa?