Chapter 13 African Empires
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Transcript Chapter 13 African Empires
The Geography of Africa p370-373
West African Kingdoms p374-379
East, Central and Southern Africa p380-385
West African
Kingdoms
Unit 5
Chapter 13
Lesson 2
p374-379
The kingdom was rich in gold
KINGDOM of Ghana is not the same as Country of Ghana
The Arabs wrote of the history of Ghana
It started around 300 AD
Founded by the Soninke people
Early people in Ghana farmed, fished & herded cattle
Koumbi the Ghana capital became a major center of trade
By late 900’s Ghana a great trading empire
Trade routes brought Islamic faith to Ghana
Many of the Soninke converted to Islam
Ghana adopted Arabic writing
By 1203 Soninke lost power to King Sumanguru
in 1235 Sundiata defeated King Sumanguru and
created Kingdom of Mali
Mali increased in size
Mali had strong agricultural economy but main source
of wealth was trade
Discover of Gold on Niger River made Mali wealthy
By 1300 Mali most powerful Empire in West Africa
Greatest Mali King
Sundiata’s Grandson
Strong Muslim ruler
Many converted
under his rule
Mansa Musa went on
pilgrimage to Mecca
He had a HUGE
entourage
Stayed in Egypt
Ancient City
located
Southwest of
Timbuktu
Group of farmers, traders & warriors along the Niger
River
Fought to remain independent of Kingdom of Mali
City of Gao was the capital
By 1735 refused to pay tribute to Mali
King Sonni Ali
Songhai became a major center of trade
Divided land into provinces
Professional army & navy
Muslim influence created discord in Empire
1591 Invaded & defeated by Moroccans with guns