West African Kingdoms

500- 1240 Kingdom of Ghana 1234-1400s Kingdom of Mali 1450-1600s Kingdom of Songhai ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Tribute- Gifts paid to rulers for taxes Berbers- desert nomads Merchants- businessmen

Front Cover

Produced neither gold nor salt, became wealthy by trading both

First trading empire in west Africa Taxed good going into and out of kingdom Had a well built army funded by the taxes

collected Most people are farmers Islam became a major influence

Ghana

Seized power from Ghana Stretched from Atlantic coast to the bend of the

Niger river Built a major city “Timbuktu” Mansa Musa- ruler or chief of Mali Became wealthy from taxing goods, receiving

tributes from surrounding area rulers Located on fertile land. Farmed rice, beans,

millet, yams Farmers gave crops as tribute for taxation Bought horses and weapons with money from

taxes 2/3 of gold in use was traded through Mali

Mali

Founder- Sunny Ali- captured Timbuktu from Mali in 1464 Had universities attracting teachers and poets Wealth came from taxes on trade and tribute of crops from

farmers Last 125 years Wanted to gain control of gold and salt trade through expansion Sunni Ali’s son divided his empire into provinces after his death Continued to tax goods going in and out of kingdom Askia Muhammad converted everyone to Islam Islam brought about principles of the basis of court systems and

social reform Built mosques and schools Askia Muhammad rule known as “period of Peace”

Songhai

Mali’s most famous ruler; made a pilgrimage to mecca/medina

Gave away so much gold it caused the price of gold to crash

Brought back architects and Islamic scholars to Timbuktu Timbuktu became the Islamic learning center of west

Africa Lead a massive caravan 60,000 people, 80 camels Gave gifts to the poor

Mansa Musa Song

Mansa Musa