Transcript www.3rdspacecc.org

ANCIENT AFRICAN HISTORY
"History is a clock that people use to tell their
political and cultural time of day. It is also a
compass that people use to find themselves on
the map of human geography. The role of
history is to tell a people what they have been,
and where they have been, what they are and
where they are. The most important role that
history plays is that it has the function of telling
a people where they still must go and what they
still must be."
Dr. John Henrik Clarke, African Historian
Great Golden Ages of West Africa
8th - 18th Century
The golden ages of these African western empires emerged as Sahelian
Kingdoms of the savanna. The Sahel (shore or coast) is a dry hot area with
fertile areas and grasslands. Several north west African kingdoms
developed from this area. The power and wealth of these empires stemmed
from their control over the Trans – Sahara trade routes, which had a
profound influence on these civilizations. This trade gave birth to the rise
of these great empires.
Three powerful Sudanese empire/states known as the Great Western Empires
emerged as the political entities of Ghana, Mali and Songhay. Their
economies revolved around:
* agriculture
* manufacturing
* international trade
Bennett says that trade and commerce flourished in these great cities and
intellectual life was brisk and refreshing.
GHANA
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1ST of three great western empires of the medieval Sudan
(700-1200ACE)
It begins with the Berbers around 300 ACE
Founders called SONINKES a group of tribes w/
common ancestry who spoke the MANDE language
Originally called WAGADUGU (Ouagadou)
Ghana means “ruler or king” in Mande
Soninke’s fame as “Warrior Kings” spread over N Africa
Known as richest monarchs whose source was TRADE
Other titles – Kaya Magha means “King of Gold”
Communal Government
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King assisted by the People’s Council
The ruler was considered:
1) Patriarch, father of the Soninke people
2) Commander & Chief of Army
3) Head of state religion
4) Chief dispenser of justice
5) Supreme overseer of the Nation
Tenkamenin (1065 ACE) - One of Ghana’s Greatest Kings
was known for his administrative justice & for never
denying an audience to his people to hear their
complaints.
KINSHIP
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Matrilineal society (Mother Right)
Each tribe made from a number of clans
(Sisse, Drame, Sylla & Kante)
Sisse = Ruling class-governors, political officers
Kante = Artisans – mental workings, blacksmiths,
goldsmiths, silversmiths
Soninkes Power
* 2 sources:
- Iron tools/weapons
- Inexhastible supply of gold
Ghana 1st sahelian kingdom to annex other
kingdoms who paid tribute to them. They
evolved into a great empire.
Ghana’s Prosperity
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Occurs during 10th& 11th century
3 main reasons:
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Had an efficient army to discourage invaders & keep
internal peace
Rich in natural resources & land that produced ample
crops (i.e. cotton, millet, sorghum)
Chief source of wealth was TRADE which produced
power and wealth for all 3 empires from control over
the Trans-Sahara TRADE based on 2 main exports –
Gold & Salt
Levied taxes as a source of revenue to the state
Agriculture & Trade a vital part of
Ghana’s economy
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It had a mixed economy that brought various
commodities into the country & large varities of food
products.
- Agriculture
- Iron smelting
- Stonemasonry
- Pottery
- Clothing manufacturing
- Carpentry
- Goldsmithing
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Export Products: Gold, kola nuts, war captives
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Import Products: Metal artifacts, cotton, utensils, salt, cloth, high grade
leather goods (famous Morocco leather from W. Africa)
Efficient Government & Military
Organized & maintained peace & prosperity
throughout the land
 Imperial Might based upon 3 things
1) 200,000 man army & 40,000 Bowmen
2) Control of Trans-Sahara trade & revenue
from it
3) Good political administration
KUMBI – Capital city & major commercial center
where latest developments in science & culture
passed.
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Dumb Barter System
“Silent Trade”
This system was used to conduct trading of all
persons at all points of the Trans-Sahara trade
routes.
Religion
Ghana never converted to Islam as a state religion, yet
allowed Muslims to settle in the cities and were also
encouraged to be special advisors & administrators to
the royal court. Most of the people followed
traditional tribal religious practices.
Decline of Ghana
3 reasons for it’s decline:
1) Envy of neighbors
peripheral raids
2) Almoravids (Berbers) declared Jihad on
Ghana 1075 ACE
3) Internal strife
foreign invasion.
Looses commercial & military power
after 1100 ACE
Rise of Mali
Mali
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2nd great sahelian kingdom(1200-1500 ACE)
by absorbing Ghana & expanding westward
Mali means “Where the Emperor Resides” in
Mande of the Mandinka
Started by the Keita Family which ruled nearly
13 centuries as one of the longest dynasties in
world history
Raised from small Mandingo state of Kangba
Came to fame under 2 leaders
Historic Malian Leaders
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1st - Sundiata Kieta
Ruled 1230-1255 ACE
Expanded Mali westward to the Atlantic Ocean
Its height included 3 independent confederations
& 12 provinces
Population 8 million
He is an important figure in W. Sudenese religion
Practiced Islamic & indigenous faith
Sundiata’s Achievements
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Had quick decisive victories over enemies
Organized the state to administer civil authorities
Gave women powerful positions
Took control over Trans-Sahara trade
Set-up Niani as capital city & key trading/financial center
Focused on agriculture-transformed soldiers into farmers
Became known as one of the richest farming areas
Introduced cultivation & weaving of cotton into region
Mansa (Emporer or Sultan)
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2nd – Mansa Musa
Ruled 1312-1337 ACE
Expanded Mali into one of the world’s largest
empires
Devout Muslim – built magnificent mosques
Best known for pilgrimage to Mecca 1324ACE
w/60,000 people, train of 100 elephants, 80
camels & more than 2 tons (24,000lbs.) of gold
Mansa Musa’s Achievements
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Returned from Mecca w/ black scholars, architects &
other skilled men
Built University of Sankore at Timbuktu – became
one of the major cultural centers
Built vast libraries & Madrasas (Islamic Universities)
Timbuktu became a meeting place of the finest poets,
scholars, and artists of Africa & the Middle East.
Even after the decline of Mali Timbuktu remains the
major Islamic center of sub-Sahara Africa
1375 ACE Charles V of France had the Catalan Map
(Atlas) w/ Mansa Musa “Rex Mali” in its center
Decline of Mali
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Death of Mansa Musa →↓ of influence &
independence of subject states
Devastating drought hampers economy →
internal strife & foreign invasion
1430ACE Tuareg Berbers seize control giving
rise to Songhay
Songhay
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3rd great sahelian kingdom
Slowly takes over empire of Mali & KanemBoru
Rises fully under Sunni dynasty with 2 great
leaders (Sunni Ali Ber & Mamadu Toure)
Historic Leaders of Songhay
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1st – Sunni Ali Ber
Ber=the Great
Ruled 1464 – 1492 ACE reigned 28 yrs.
Built Songhay from a small western state
Had full-time professional soldiers w/ horse & camel
cavalry w/men in armor
He built a navy of war canoes which sailed the Niger
His military conquered major cities of Mali
Songhay converted the nation to Islam
1492
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3 Significant Events Occur:
1) Death of Sunni Ali Ber
2) Columbus finds America
3) The last of the Moors are expelled from
Spain
Last Great Ruler of Songhay
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2nd Mamadu Toure
Ruled 1493-1529 ACE
Ascended to thrown under the name of
Askia Muhammad, “Askia the Great”
Askia means “General”
Considered their most gifted king
A distinguished general, administrator & devout
Muslim
Askia’s Achievements
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Built an effective army from POW’s & ex-slaves
Established the Askia dynasty
Expand empire 2,000 miles long by 1,000 miles wide
Homogenized culture throughout Songhay
Revived commercial prosperity of Timbuktu & its
fame as an intellectual center
Emissaries worldwide studied in its libraries & w/its
scholars
1497 Pilgrimage to Mecca w/ 300,000 pieces of gold
Promoted education reforms & advancement in
science
Created expert banking systems & institutions, &
laws regulating business of the empire
Decline of Songhay
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Its continued expanded size → its downfall
Its massive army 35,000 soldiers, archers &
cavalry couldn’t keep order
By 1612 the cities fell into general disarray
Things to Remember
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Economic life of these states revolved around
agriculture, manufacturing & international trade
Rulers held power through good administration &
maintenance of large armies
“The Blacks” said to be those who most detest injustice.
Jenne & Timbuktu known throughout the Muslim world
as centers of culture & learning
African women of these cities considered the most
beautiful & shown more respect then the men
(matrilineal societies). Women not bashful or veiled
Power & wealth came from control of the Trans-Sahara
based primarily on gold & salt