The forgotten Empires of Africa

1. West Africa The forgotten Empires of Africa

2. The Empires of West Africa • The African people who lived on the southern edge of the Sahara were able to benefit from trade. • They had access both to the gold from the south and the salt and other goods coming from the north. • Their ability to control trade increased their wealth and power.

3. Ghana • Ghana • The earliest empire to emerge • Located between gold and salt mines. • The Sonike built West Africa’s first empire.

6. Ghana • After the Muslim conquest of North Africa and the Sahara Ghana’s merchants grew wealthy from the gold and salt trade. • Ghana had become a Muslim Kingdom in the 1100’s .

7. Reasons for the decline of Ghana • Ghana’s empire had collapsed by the early 1200’s. • It was hurt by frequent wars with Muslims of the Sahara. • Change in environment • Ghana’s land was exhausted, and its farmers could no longer feed its people.

8. Mali • The Malinke people were east of Ghana • Controlling the upper Niger River. • They controlled the gold trade coming from Bure. • The Malinke then conquered the Soninke and built the empire of Mali.

9. Mali • The ruler of Mali was called Mansa • The empire reached its peak in the 1300’s under Mansa Musa. • The new trade routes that were located in Akan (Ghana) made way for Timbuktu. • Write 3 things you know about Mansa Musa. • Name 2 things about Timbuktu.

13. Songhai • The Sorko people lived along the middle Niger River east of Mali. • When the Mali empire began to decline, the ruler of Songhai, Sonni Ali, seized Timbuktu.

14. Songhai • Askiya Muhammad a devout Muslim revived Timbuktu as a great center for learning and encouraged more trade across the Sahara. • Read the quote by Leo Africanus. • How do you think this is going to effect the Songhai empire?

15. Decline of the Songhai • Songhai remained powerful and wealthy until 1591. • Moroccan troops armed with guns and cannons defeated the Songhai. • The Songhai empire began to decline after the vicious battle.