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Economics in Africa. Africa has:. Gold. Africa wants:. alt. Arabia has:. alt. Arabia wants:. Gold. Timeout!. How much salt would you trade for a pound of gold?. Salt, why salt?. You need salt to live. We lose salt when we sweat. It’s hot in Africa.
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Africa has: Gold
Africa wants: alt
Arabia has: alt
Arabia wants: Gold
Timeout! • How much salt would you trade for a pound of gold?
Salt, why salt? • You need salt to live. • We lose salt when we sweat. • It’s hot in Africa. • Therefore, they sweat and lose salt. • Without it, they die.
Well, now how much would you pay? But wait, don’t’ answer yet, there’s more!
Gold, Who needs that? • In Africa, gold was pretty common. • It is too soft to make weapons or tools out of. • It is completely useless. • So, why would they care?
The Salt Trade • Africans were willing to trade 1 pound of gold for 1 pound of salt. • Arabians were willing to trade 1 pound of salt for 1 pound of gold. • Both sides were happy!
Salt Big Desert Gold
Timeout! • Look at the map on the next page. • One of the first major empires in Africa was Ghana in the shaded area. • Why do you think it grew there and not somewhere else in Africa?
Ghana • Ghana was a powerful trading empire in Africa. • It’s location at the edge of the Sahara meant it controlled the best trade routes. • The Niger River Valley was also relatively good for farming.
Koumbi • Capital of Ghana • Many Muslims came to live here to make money from gold. • The emperor eventually has the city split in half to keep his people away from the Muslims.
African Side Muslim Side Main Street (dividing line)
The Split • Splitting the city didn’t work. • Based on the last picture, why do you think many Africans wanted to convert to Islam after the split of the city? • The king of Ghana loses power as his people convert to Islam.
Mali • The empire of Mali rose as Ghana was falling. • They largely accepted Islam as their religion instead of trying to hold to their old ways. • They did adapt it to fit their own traditions.
Arab Influences in Africa • Arab merchants spread the Arab language into Africa. • Along with the language the merchants spread Islam. • Mansa Musa, an African ruler, went on a hajj in 1324.
Mansa Musa • A strong follower of Islam • Expanded the borders of Mali • Led a pilgrimage of 60,000 people to Mecca. • This made Mali famous throughout the world.
Key Terms • Savanna • Salt Trade • Mansa Musa • Oral History
Main Ideas • 1. The geography of the area around the Niger river greatly influenced the growth of Ghana and Mali. • 2. Trade with the Islamic Empire led to great changes in Africa. • 3. African history and culture was passed down largely through oral traditions.