Ghana’sGhana’s Trading Trading EmpireEmpire

Silent BarteringSilent Bartering•Process in which people exchange Process in which people exchange goods without contacting each other goods without contacting each other directlydirectly•Salt traders from north left slabs of salt Salt traders from north left slabs of salt on the riverbankon the riverbank•Gold miners from south left what they Gold miners from south left what they thought was a fair amount of goldthought was a fair amount of gold

Why?Why?

Silent BarteringSilent Bartering•PeacefulPeaceful•Kept gold mines secretKept gold mines secret

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

West African West African EmpireEmpire•By A.D. 800 – Ghana controlled trade By A.D. 800 – Ghana controlled trade in West Africain West Africa•Army protected routesArmy protected routes•Led to ….Led to ….

WEALTHWEALTH

HMMM…..HMMM…..

More profitMore profit

More and more tradersMore and more traders

Tax – Tax – goods goods importedimported

Tax – Tax – goods exportedgoods exported

Tax – Tax – people of Ghanapeople of Ghana

Tax – Tax – Neighboring tribesNeighboring tribes

Wealthy RulersWealthy Rulers•Rulers kept gold for themselvesRulers kept gold for themselves•Prohibited people from owning gold Prohibited people from owning gold nuggets; only gold dustnuggets; only gold dust

Why?Why?Showed King was wealthier Showed King was wealthier than his subjects!than his subjects!

Controlling the Controlling the EmpireEmpire•Army – conquered neighboring tribesArmy – conquered neighboring tribes•Protected trade routes Protected trade routes •Governors (mansas) – local rulers Governors (mansas) – local rulers who remained loyal to kingwho remained loyal to king

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

DeclineDecline•mid 1000s - Ghana was rich and mid 1000s - Ghana was rich and powerfulpowerful•By 1200s – Empire had declinedBy 1200s – Empire had declined

Why?Why?

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

#2 - Overgrazing#2 - Overgrazing•Almoravids brought herds of animals Almoravids brought herds of animals with themwith them•Ate grass – left soil exposed to hot Ate grass – left soil exposed to hot desert windsdesert windsResult….Result….Farmers had to leave and find new Farmers had to leave and find new homeshomes

#3 – Internal #3 – Internal RebellionRebellion•1200 – conquered people rebelled1200 – conquered people rebelled•Within a few years rebels had taken Within a few years rebels had taken over the entire Empireover the entire EmpireHowever….However….Rebels could not keep order …..Rebels could not keep order …..

Ghana was Ghana was conquered by conquered by

other groups…other groups…

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

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