West African Civilizations

Chapter 15 Section 2

Key Terms
Ghana

Malli Sundiata Mansa Musa Ibn Battuta Songhai Hausa Yoruba Benin

Empire of Ghana
Limited

trade Most animals cannot cross the desert 3rd century camels were used 700 Ghana grew rich by taxing goods and traders traveling through the country

Gold-Salt Trade
Gold

came from the forest Niger and Senegal Two thirds of worlds gold came from Ghana till 1350 Sahara had salt People build houses out of salt

Gold-Salt Trade
Berbers crossed the desert in camel caravans Traders brought gold from the North Merchants met in trading cities Made sure taxes paid and good weighed fairly Royal guards provided protection

Land of Gold
800 Ghana an empire Only king could own

gold nuggets Gold dust was traded King limited gold supply and kept price up Ghanas ruler
Religious leader Chief judge Military commander

Islamic Influences
Spread

through trade and conquest 11th century Ghana converted too Islam Animism-spirits in living things play an important part in life Islam encouraged literacy

Islamic Influences
Converts

to Isla had to read the Quran 1076 Muslim Almoravids completed conquest of Ghana Almoravid eventually left Ghana War badly disrupted gold-salt trade

Empire of Mali
1235

kingdom emerged Malis wealth built on gold Trade routes shifted eastward to Mali Sundiata-Malis first great leader Became Malis Mansa (emperor)

Sundiata Conquers an Empire

Sundiata

of peace He had administrators for finance Promoted agriculture and the gold-salt trade Mali means where the king lives

had a period

Mansa Musa
Ruled

from 1312-1332 Skilled military leader 100,000 man Army protects against attack Empire expanded to twice its size Divided into provinces with governors

Mansa Musa
Went on a Hajj to Mecca Ordered new mosques in Timuktu Became most important city in the empire

Judges Doctors Scholars Religious leaders Excellent universities and mosques

Travels of Ibn Battuta

1352

successor to mans Musa From tangier Traveled for 27 years visiting most Muslim countries Traveled safely, praised the Quran Criticized for not following moral code

Travels of Ibn Battuta

Left

Mali in 1353 Empire began to weaken Successors lacked the ability to govern Gold trade shifted as new fields were found

Empire of Songhai
East

of Mali Strong Army Sunni Ali

Rule begins in 1464 captures Timbuktu Five years later took Djenne
Surrounded

7 years Married their queen

the city for

Askia Muhammad
1492

after Sunnis death Drove Sunni Alis son from power Ruled for 37 years Excellent administrator Centralized the government Appointed officials to run the government

Askia Muhammad
Lacked

modern weapons Arabs develop first gun to shoot arrows Moroccans had cannons Ends 1000 year period of kingdoms and empires ruled central Africa

Other Peoples of West Africa

Hausa-

group of people named after their language Appeared 1000-1200 Mali and Songhai Hausa city-states
Vigorous slave trade Traded horses, harnesses, guns

Other Peoples of West Africa

All

Hausa city-states had similar government Ministers and officials check power Each city-state had an army (mounted horsemen) Fighting between citystates prevented and empire

Yoruba Kings and Artists

All

spoke a common language Number of small citystates in Benin Farmers Joined together to form several Yoruba Kingdoms

Yoruba Kings and Artists

Kings

divine Descendants of Ife Creator sent the first ruler to earth Sons became head of Yoruba kingdoms Chiefs consider king highest spiritual authority

considered

Yoruba Kings and Artists

Secret

society reviewed the kings decisions Ife and Oyo two largest kingdoms Ife most powerful from 1100-1600 City dwellers crafts people and traders

Yoruba Kings and Artists

Ife

artists

Carved wood Carved ivory

Terra

cotta sculptures Sculptures caste in metal Rulers supplied artists Clay and metal portray rulers life

Kingdom of Benin
Delta

of Niger River Port of Gwatto Traded with Portuguese First kings 1200s Descent from first king of Ife Lagos, Nigeria Fortified with walls

Kingdom of Benin
Huge

palace Artists created

Brass heads of the royal family Copper figurines Brass plaques on wall showed historical scenes and deeds of nobles Learned from an Ife artist

Kingdom of Benin
1480s

Portuguese traded pepper, leopard skins, ivory and enslaved persons Began European interference in Africa
They enslaved Africans Seized territories for colonies Prospered from trade