West African Empires and Civilizations

1. West African Empires and Civilizations • Chapter 15 • Section 2

2. Setting the Stage • There were three powerful empires growing in Western Africa • Located in the Sahel (the savanna region just south of the Sahara) • Grew through the control of trade

3. Ghana: Land of Gold • By AD 200, trade across the Sahara had existed for centuries • Was infrequent and irregular due to harsh desert conditions • Used donkeys, oxen, and horses (couldn’t survive in harsh conditions w/out rest and water) • Started using camels • Could travel 60 miles a day and go 10 days w/out water • Trade increased with the introduction of the camel

4. Soninke • Trade routes crossed the savanna through the region farmed by the Soninke • They called their ruler ghana, or war chief • Muslim traders used the word to refer to the region • By the 700’s they were becoming rich by taxing the goods traveling through their land

5. Gold-Salt Trade • Gold and Salt were the 2 most important trade items • Until about 1350, 2/3 of the world’s gold supply came from Ghana • The Sahara contained salt deposits • Taghaza, a village in the Sahara made their homes out of salt blocks because it was the only material available

6. Gold-Salt Trade • Arab and Berber traders brought salt to the market towns • African traders brought gold from their lands • Traded goods at the market • Tax collector watched over all transactions • Royal officials made sure all goods were weighed fairly and business was conducted according to the law

7. Empire of Ghana • Gold nuggets and slabs of salt collected as taxes • Only the king could own gold nuggets • This limited the price of gold and kept it from falling • Ghana’s leader acted as a religious leader, chief judge, and military commander • By 800 it had become an empire • Used his force to demand payments from surrounding tribes • As long as they made their payments, he left them in peace

8. Islamic Influences • Islam spread through trade instead of conquest • Muslim merchants and teachers settled here and spread their faith • Ghana’s leader eventually converted to Islam • Many retained their original religion and many who converted still kept parts of their religion • Islam’s growth encouraged literacy • With studying the Qur’an people learned how to read and write

9. Empire of Mali • By 1235, the kingdom of Mali had emerged • Wealth was built on gold • People began to act independently of Ghana as it weakened • They discovered new gold deposits which allowed them to seize power from Ghana

10. Sundiata Conquers an Empire • Mali’s first great leader • Became Mali’s mansa (emperor) • Took over the kingdom of Ghana and many trading cities • Had administrators control finances, defense, and foreign affairs • Capital was Niani • Promoted agriculture and reestablished the gold-salt trade • Empire called Mali (“where the king lives”)

11. Mansa Musa Expands Mali • Sundiata died in 1255 • Mali’s next rulers became Muslim • Mansa Musa was the next great leader • Skilled military leader • Expanded the empire twice the size of Ghana • He divided his empire into provinces and appointed governors to control his lands

12. Travels of Ibn Battuta • Traveler and historian • He was impressed with how the people of Mali studied the Qur’an • He also praised the justice system for being fair and just • He left in 1353 and within 50 years, Mali weakened • The successors of Mansa Musa lacked the ability to govern well • The gold trade shifted as new gold mines were discovered

13. The Empire of Songhai • As Mali weakened, the people began to break away • The Songhai broke off in the east and took control of trade routes • Built their capital at Gao

14. Sunni Ali, a Conquering Hero • Built a vast empire by military conquest • Began in 1464 and lasted for 30 years • Built a professional army with war canoes and cavalry

15. Askia Muhammad Governs Well • Sunni Ali died in 1492 and his son succeeded him • A group of Muslims revolted almost immediately • Askia was the leader, a devout Muslim • Replaced Ali’s son

16. Askia Muhammad • Reined for 35 years with excellent success • Set up an efficient tax system • Had administrators of the treasury, army, navy, and agriculture • Despite wealth, they lacked modern weapons • A Moroccan army invaded in 1591 with gunpowder and cannons • They quickly defeated the Songhai

17. Other People of West Africa • City-states were developing in other areas • Some were influenced by Muslim traditions and others kept their traditional African beliefs

18. Hausa City-States Compete • Named after their language • Were ruled by the Songhai but they gained independence • Local rulers built walled cities with 50,000 or more people • They ruled farming villages outside the walled city • Depended on crops and salt, cotton, and grain trade • Grew due to location on trade routes

19. Hausa City-States • Zazzau conducted trade in enslaved people • Raided cities and sold the captured people • Traded them for horses, guns, and harnesses • Rulers had great power, but there were administrators to check their power • Each had its own cavalry • Constant fighting from city-state to city-state prevented an empire from ever forming

20. Yoruba Kings and Artists • City-states that all spoke the same language • Over time they joined together under strong rulers • Lead to the creation of several small kingdoms • Kings were considered divine and were the religious and political rulers of their kingdom • Trace descent from first ruler of Ife

21. Ife and Oyo • Largest Yoruba kingdoms • Large urban areas with fertile soil and ample rainfall • Gifted artisans who carved wood and ivory • Terra Cotta sculptors and cast in bronze, brass and copper

22. Kingdom of Benin • Formed in the 1300’s • Built homes in the forest • Ruler or “oba” traced descent from first king of Ife as well • Ewuare made Benin into a major West African state • Built a powerful army and built a wall around the city

23. The Portuguese • 1480’s Portuguese ships landed in Benin’s port of Gwatto • Traded for pepper, leopard skins, ivory, and enslaved persons • This began European interference in Africa • Enslaved many African people and seized territory for colonies