INTRODUCTION TO Kingdoms of AfricaEQ: How did Ghana

become a trading empire?

Background Information on Ghana• Kingdom of Ghana

lasted from 500C.E. until 1200s.

• Existed in the semidry Sahel, spread between Senegal and Niger Rivers– (Modern day

Mauritania and Mali)

How Did Ghana Develop into an Empire?

• We don’t know for sure!• Possibly a group of

warriors used iron weapons to defeat neighbors– Ghana means “war chief”

• Control of trade (GOLD) made king and people wealthy

13.2 Ghana’s Gov’t and Military• Arab scholars called

Ghana “land of gold”• Ghana ruled by

powerful king– Head of army– Made decisions

(justice)– Led religious

worship

How did the King Preserve Wealth?• King controlled supply

of gold• All of the gold nuggets

in kingdom had to be given to king (Some chunks weighed 40 pounds!)– Other people only

got gold dust

Daily Life of King• Each day king held court

with his people– King arrived to beat of

royal drums– He dressed in colorful

robes, gold jewels, cap• His people showed

respect by kneeling and throwing dust on their heads

What Happened in Court?• King does business

within empire• Listens to concerns of

people• King is surrounded by

young servants, governor, dogs with gold collars

• LOTS OF RICHES!

What Did King’s Government Officials Do?

• Officials were paid from kingdom’s wealth

• Officials in charge of:– Army, business,

taxes• King chose governors

to rule some parts of his empire

When Kings Died...• Sons DID NOT inherit

the throne!• Royal inheritance was

matrilineal– BASED ON

WOMEN’S FAMILY LINE

• In Ghana, the son of the king’s sister took over the throne

Ghana’s Military• Had regular army,

reserve forces, and elite (top) soldiers

• Regular Army: (Thousands)– Kept borders secure,

peaceful– Wore cotton pants,

sandals, headdresses– Color of soldier’s shirt, and

# of feathers in headdress show rank

– Used weapons (Spears, swords, bows and arrows)

During wartime...• King called upon more

forces• Every man in empire

had to complete military training

• 200, 000 soldiers gathered at times!

• Top (elite) soldiers selected for courage, honesty, intelligence– Bodyguards, escorts,

advisors

Part 2 EQ: Explain How Trade Worked in Ghana…

• Ghana between 2 trading areas– North African forests and forests of

Southern West Africa

What resources did traders have?North Traders:

-crossed Sahara with salt, copper, and cowrie shells (used as $)

Traders from S. Western Africa:-had Kola nuts, hides, leather, ivory, gold, even slaves

Ghana’s Location

• Allowed it to control TRANS-SAHARAN trade

• Traders going south had to pass through Ghana

• Each time, paid taxes

• Taxes led to Ghana’s wealth

What is Trans-Saharan Trade?• Archeologists

found evidence to show North Africans brought gold from southern forests in 400B.C.E ! (LONG AGO!)

• Travel across Sahara desert is very hard

Increase in Trans-Saharan Trade caused by…..

• Use of camels!– Brought to Sahara

300C.E– Traveled well in

desert– Drink 25 gallons of

water at a time!– Travel many days

without stopping• Double eyelashes

and hairy ears to keep sand out!

Aren’t I

cute!!?

Trade also increased because of the spread of…

• ISLAM! • Muslims invaded Ghana’s empire in 7th

Century• Muslims converted West Africans to

Islam, controlled trade– Muslims became merchants– In 1000, Ghana dominated trade routes

between N and W Africa

What was the journey like for traders coming from the North?

• Start in N. Africa, travel along border of Sahara

• Cross Ghana, Gulf of Guinea, to Chad

• 1352: Muslim historian Ibn

Battuta crossed Sahara

Battuta described his journey as…• Dangerous• Caravans lost way,

some died• No water, killed

camels, drank water in stomachs

• Stopped at Taghaza, salt mines

• Got salt to take to porters (people who carry loads)