4-1 Africa Trading States and Kingdoms

Gold Salt Trade

Gold Salt Trade• Existed between W. Africa and N. Africa since the time of the

Egyptians of the Old Kingdom• Travel in Caravans

– Could include 1000 to 12000 camels– Move by night using stars to reach oases

• Incentive– Wealth stood to be gained from trade of scarce goods in different

regions• Gold-N. Africa• Salt-W. Africa

• As time went on areas along trade routes built into cities and wealthy rulers expanded to control the trade of Gold and other valuables

Empire of Ghana

Empire of Ghana• 500 CE- 1076 CE• Found in plains between Senegal And Niger Rivers• Started by Soninke people• Ruled from Capital Kumbi Saleh (pop.15,000)• Power rested in control of Gold Trade

– Developed powerful army with iron weapons to maintain control– Developed a lavish court– Berber traders were required to pay taxes for each caravan

• Decline– Almoravid invaders (Berbers) attacked from north and broke the

kingdom into smaller states

Empire of Mali

Empire of Mali• C.1200 CE- Early 1600’s CE• Started by a group of Farmers called Mandingos

– Originally lived under rule of Ghana– Gain control of some gold-producing areas and build empire

• Strongest under Mansa Musa 1312-1337– Pushed borders of empire in all directions– Converted to Islam along will many officials– Opened Mali to the world via Hajj– Attracted many to Mali (Timbuktu)

• Decline– Mansa Musa tough act to follow– Power Struggles ensue and empire loses cities, but exists in smaller

form from 1400-1600’s

Empire of Songhai

Empire of Songhai• 1464 CE-1591 CE• Rose from trading city of Gao• Under Sunni Ali Brought stability back to trade routes of West

Africa– Had been lost with break up of Mali– Took much of Mali including Timbuktu

• Greatest ruler Aksia Muhammad– Makes Pilgrimage like Mansa Musa– Encourages Scholars to study in Timbuktu

• Becomes center for learning

• Falls to Moroccan invaders who carry guns and cannons into battle

Benin

Benin

• 1440-1897 CE• Develops in Rainforests along Niger Delta• Great Craftworkers• Carve out a vast territory• Maintain history through oral tradition

City States of East Africa

• Late 900’s - Early 1500’s CE• Operate Independently, Set up by Arab Traders from Middle East

– Malindi– Mombasa– Kilwa– Sofala

• Goods brought from Southern Africa to Coast and traded North and East– Slaves– Ivory– Gold– Animal skins

• Arab Traders carried these items north• Monsoon Winds used to travel to India as well• Culture came with the Arab Traders

– Islam– Swahili (Blending of Bantu, Hindi and Arabic)

• City-States met their decline in 1500’s due to Portuguese invasion

Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe

• 1000 – 1500 CE• Settled by various migrating peoples• Rulers controlled gold trade– Most of gold flowed to Sofala on Coast

• Built great palaces and other structures from stone• Most people hunter gatherers• Trade items such as porcelain from China and Beads

from India discovered here• Declined due to power struggles in early 1500’s