The Great Kingdoms of West Africa - Hoffman...

The Great Kingdoms of West Africa

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Goal: To discuss three major trading kingdoms that rose and fell in

West Africa

Aimee Hoffman (Northeast Middle)

of 21© 2017 Active Classroom

Words to Knowcaravan a convoy, especially of camels

gold a metal traded in West Africa

gold and salt trade the exchange of gold and salt that was the basis of wealth for

the West African kingdoms

salt an important mineral in the ancient world; traded in West Africa

Songhai a people who ruled Gao and later built an empire

Swahili the culture and language of the East African city-states

trade the exchange of money and goods

West African Kingdoms great trading kingdoms that arose in West Africa, south of

the Sahara Desert

Names to Know

Askia the Great the leader of the Songhai Empire at its peak

Mansa Musa a ruler of Rome who continued the persecution of Christians

Sundiata the king of the Kangaba people who led a revolt against the Ghana

Empire and founded Mali

Sunni Ali the leader of the Songhai people and founder of the Songhai Empire

Places to Know

Gao a great trading city from which the Songhai Empire grew

Ghana Empire the first of the great trading kingdoms of West Africa

Kilwa a great East African city-state

Kumbi Saleh a small trading village from which the Ghana Empire developed

Mali a city built by Sundiata that became the center of the Mali Empire

Mali Empire a powerful trading kingdom of West Africa



Mombasa a great East African city-state

Songhai Empire the largest of the great trading kingdoms of West Africa

Timbuktu a great center of trade and learning in the Mali and Songhai empires



Readings

The Influence of TradeIn this lesson, you will learn about three great kingdoms that rose and fell in Africa

during the course of about 1,000 years. These are called the West African Kingdoms

because they existed in the area known as West Africa, just south of the Sahara Desert.

The great kingdoms of West Africa were all based on trade, which is the exchange

of money and goods. Trade had always been important throughout Africa. But around

the year 900, trade began to become more and more important in northern Africa. This

is largely because of the Arab Muslim influence there. The Arabs, like the Africans, had

a long history and tradition of trade. It was natural, then, that trade between and among

these people would begin to flourish.

The Muslim lands of northern Africa and the lands of central Africa are separated

by the vast Sahara Desert. Incredibly, people had learned to cross the lonely desert

thousands of years earlier. By 1000, trade by caravan, or convoy, was well established.

Traders, Arab and African alike, led long caravans of camels across the desert, heading

north and south. From seaports on the Mediterranean, the trade routes stretched to

Europe, Asia, and beyond.

The two major goods that were traded in West Africa were gold and salt. Both were

valued for the same reasons they are today. Gold was used for money and jewelry.

Traders from the north wanted the gold to buy goods from Europe and Asia. Gold was

found in mines in the forests of central Africa. Salt is a mineral that people need in their

diet to sustain life, and salt was scarce in West Africa. Salt was mined in the Sahara

Desert. In fact, it was so abundant in that barren region that people built their homes

there out of salt blocks.

At the southern edge of the Sahara, where the West African kingdoms developed,

gold was exchanged for salt, and vice-versa. This was known as the gold and salt trade.

In time, other things were also traded. Along with gold, traders from the south brought



ivory and slaves. Along with salt, traders from the north brought horses, textiles,

weapons, paper, and other manufactured goods.

At the sites where trading took place, important cities developed. These cities were

located on trade routes between the gold mines to the south and the salt mines to the

north. The people who controlled these areas controlled the trade and became wealthy.

They did so by charging both import and export taxes that were paid in gold. Royal

officials observed the trade, made sure it was conducted fairly, and collected the taxes.

In return, royal guards protected the traders from robbers.

The trade in gold, salt, and other goods became the basis of the wealth of the great

kingdoms of West Africa. You will read about three of these kingdoms on the following

pages.

Practice 1: The Influence of Trade

Choose the letter of the correct answer to each of the following questions.

1. What items were traded by the kingdoms of West Africa?

a. horses and paper

b. textiles and gold

c. salt and weapons

d. all of the above

2. Why did the kingdoms of West Africa arise where they did?

a. They were surrounded by gold mines.

b. They controlled the trade routes between the north and the south.

c. They were surrounded by salt mines.

d. They needed fertile farming lands.



The Ghana Empire

The Ghana EmpireThe Ghana Empire was the

first great West African

trading kingdom. It started as

a small trading village called

Kumbi Saleh. Kumbi Saleh

was founded well before the

increase in trade in the 900s.

In fact, the city was founded

in the 200s, a full 700 years

before West African trade

really began to surge. Today,

this region is in the country of

Mauritania.

The Ghana Empire lasted for more than 1,000 years. During this period, Ghana

was a magnificent trading kingdom. Arab traders led long camel caravans loaded with

salt from the Sahara and dried fruits from northern Africa to Ghana. There, these goods

were traded for gold (and later ivory and slaves) from areas south of Ghana. As the

great meeting place between north and south, Ghana grew rich on trade.

The kings of Ghana charged both export and import taxes on goods that were

traded there. They used their wealth to finance an efficient system of government. They

also used it to finance a powerful army. The army kept the trade routes safe, protecting

Ghana’s income and source of wealth.

The village of Kumbi Saleh, from which the kingdom developed, grew in wealth,

power, and population. By the 900s, it had a population of about 15,000. It was the

largest city in the region.

Of course, the people of Ghana did more than trade. Many worked as farmers and

craftspeople. The iron smiths of Ghana, who made weapons for the army, became



famous for their work. Ghana was also known as a place where beautiful leather goods

and fine jewelry were made.

For centuries, Ghana was a thriving, busy, wealthy kingdom. It reached its peak in

the 900s and was attacked by rival tribes in the 1000s. These attacks were devastating.

By 1235, the Ghana Empire was no more.

Practice 2: The Ghana Empire


1. From what trading city did the Ghana Empire grow?

a. Mauritania

b. Cairo

c. Kumbi Saleh

d. Axum

2. How did the kings of Ghana become rich?

a. by controlling travel through the Sahara

b. by selling slaves

c. by selling gold

d. by charging import and export taxes



The Mali Empire

The Mali EmpireIn the early 1200s, the king of

the Kangaba people,

Sundiata, led a revolt against

the Ghana Empire. In the

Battle of Kirina in 1235, he

defeated the last of the

Ghana emperors. This battle

was so famous that legends

of it are still told by the people

of the area.

Newly independent and

powerful, Sundiata built a new

city, Mali. Sundiata then

conquered the neighboring

Sasso people and the lands of other neighboring tribes, thus beginning the great Mali

Empire. The Mali Empire replaced the Ghana Empire as the most powerful trading

kingdom in West Africa. It was the supreme power in West Africa until the 1500s.

Like the Ghana Empire before it, the Mali Empire was built on trade. And, like

Ghana, it owed its success largely to its location between the salt mines to the north

and the gold mines to the south.

Sundiata ruled until 1240. After his death, other rulers rose to power and

maintained the greatness of Mali. The most impressive of all was a man named Mansa

Musa. You will read about him in the next section.

Practice 3: The Mali Empire




1. Which battle marked the end of the Ghana Empire and the beginning of the

Mali Empire?

a. the Battle of Kirina

b. the Battle of Sundiata

c. the Battle of Ghana

d. the Battle of Kumbi Saleh

2. On what was the Mali Empire’s economy based?

a. slavery

b. oppression

c. taxes

d. trade



Mansa MusaMansa Musa became king of the Mali Empire in 1312. He ruled Mali for 25 years. Few

other leaders in history have been as effective as Mansa Musa. In fact, his reign is

remembered as a golden age in West Africa.

Mansa Musa was a strong ruler. But he was wise enough to let the various peoples

of the empire follow their own traditional ways of life. In this way, he kept the kingdom

peaceful.

Mansa Musa’s system of strong law, coupled with his tolerance of local practices,

kept the peace in Mali. Mansa Musa worked hard at this. Historians believe that he

settled many legal disputes himself. In addition, Mansa Musa worked to make Mali

richer than ever before. He did this by expanding Mali’s trade.

As you have read, Islam had become a powerful force in northern Africa a few

centuries before the rise of the West African kingdoms. By Mansa Musa’s time, the

religion had spread to West Africa. Mansa Musa himself was a Muslim. In 1324–1325,

Mansa Musa made a pilgrimage to Mecca, the holy city of Islam. His entrance to the city

is remembered as being one of the most spectacular processions in history.

Mansa Musa led about 60,000 other Mali pilgrims into the city. Among them were

12,000 slaves—each carrying a 4-pound brick of gold. This display of wealth stunned

the Arabs. News of the great, wealthy kingdom of Mali spread far and wide. This served

to increase trade in Mali even further.

Practice 4: Mansa Musa




1. Which of the following contributions did Mansa Musa make to Mali?

a. He kept the peace.

b. He expanded Mali’s trade.

c. He helped make Mali famous through his memorable pilgrimage to

Mecca.

d. all of the above

2. How long did Mansa Musa rule Mali?

a. a brief time

b. 25 years

c. many months

d. a decade



TimbuktuYou may have heard of Timbuktu. It is one of the greatest cities in world history.

Timbuktu still exists today, although it has lost its greatness. It was once one of the

most remarkable places on Earth.

Timbuktu, which is now called Tombouctou, was founded around 1100. As a

popular meeting place for traders, it rapidly grew in wealth and population. Mansa Musa

made it the capital of the Mali Empire.

But Timbuktu was more than just a capital. And it was more than just a trade

center. It was also a center of Muslim learning. During the Mali Empire, a great

university at Timbuktu attracted scholars from throughout the Islamic world. More than

100 schools in Timbuktu taught Islam, geography, history, and other subjects. The

university there educated 25,000 students at a time. Judges, doctors, and religious

leaders also gathered in Timbuktu.

In Timbuktu, learning and education were just as highly respected as wealth. In

fact, one scholar has said, “In Timbuktu, books were valued as much as salt, and salt as

much as gold.” Another African scholar in Timbuktu owned 700 books, a vast number

for those times.

When he returned from Mecca, Mansa Musa ordered the building of many new,

beautiful mosques in Timbuktu. Mosques are Muslim houses of worship. Mansa Musa

also ordered that new buildings be made of long-lasting brick instead of mud.

Timbuktu thrived from the 1200s to the 1500s. During this 300-year period, it was

recognized as one of the great cities of the world. Today, Tombouctou is a sleepy little

town. Much of it lies in ruins. But even now, 500 years after its decline from greatness, it

remains one of the most famous and fabled cities in history.

Practice 5: Timbuktu

Decide if each statement below is true or false. Choose the correct answer for each

statement.



1. Timbuktu grew rich because it was a center of learning.

a. True

b. False

2. Timbuktu was a great trading city.

a. True

b. False

3. Universities did not exist when Timbuktu was at its peak.

a. True

b. False

4. The people of Timbuktu were Muslims.

a. True

b. False



The Songhai Empire

The SonghaiEmpireAfter Mansa Musa, the Mali

Empire was ruled by a series

of weaker kings. During this

time, the city of Gao became

a wealthy and powerful

trading center in the empire.

Gao soon decided to break

away from the Mali Empire.

The rulers of Gao were of

the Songhai people. By the

late 1300s, they were strong

enough to refuse to pay taxes

to the rulers of Mali. By the mid-1400s, led by a fierce cavalryman, the Songhai began

to conquer their neighbors. Their leader was Sunni Ali, who ruled from 1464 to 1492.

Soon, Sunni Ali had conquered much of the Mali Empire, including the great city of

Timbuktu.

Eventually, the Songhai Empire became the largest of the great trading kingdoms

of West Africa. At its peak in the late 1400s and early 1500s, it covered an area the size

of western Europe. Like the Ghana Empire and the Mali Empire before it, the Songhai

Empire was based on trade.

In 1493, Sunni Ali was succeeded by Askia the Great. Askia continued the tradition

of strong government that Sunni Ali had established. He expanded trade and brought

Songhai to its peak. But the Songhai Empire did not last. In 1591, a Moroccan army

defeated the Songhai.

Practice 6: The Songhai Empire




1. Who was the first leader of the Songhai Empire?

a. Gao

b. Askia the Great

c. Sunni Ali

d. Muhammad

2. In which city was the Songhai Empire centered?

a. Mali

b. Timbuktu

c. Gao

d. Kirina



East African City-States

City-States in EastAfricaYou have read that, from

about 900 to about 1500,

three great trading kingdoms

arose in West Africa: Ghana,

Mali, and Songhai. During this

same period, other great

trading centers were growing

on the opposite side of the

continent, along the eastern

coast of Africa. And, as in

West Africa, Arab Muslim

traders helped trade centers

grow in the region known as

East Africa.

By about 1100, Arab Muslim traders who traveled by ship were trading up and

down the entire coast of East Africa. They traveled between Africa and China, India,

and other nations along the Red Sea, the Persian Gulf, and the Indian and Pacific

Oceans. The traders brought such goods as silk, cloth, and porcelain to Africa. From

Africa, they took gold, ivory, artworks, and slaves.

Over time, many of these traders settled in Africa. As a result, city-states developed

there. A city-state is a large, independent city that has its own ruler and laws. All of the

East African city-states earned their wealth through trade. Two of the more powerful

city-states were Kilwa and Mombasa.

The people of these city-states developed a remarkable new culture. It was a

unique mix of traditional black African and Arab cultures. This culture was called

Swahili. Swahili is also the name of the unique language they spoke—a mix of African

Bantu languages and Arabic.



The city-states of East Africa prospered from the early 700s through the 1300s.

Like the kingdoms and cities of West Africa, the city-states of East Africa were thriving

societies. Their contributions to culture, language, and trade became part of the proud

tradition that is African history.

Practice 7: City-States in East Africa


1. Where did trading city-states emerge?

a. along Africa’s eastern coast

b. along Africa’s southern coast

c. along Africa’s northern coast

d. along Africa’s western coast

2. What were two important city-states in Africa?

a. Ghana and Mali

b. Songhai and Askia

c. Kilwa and Mombasa

d. Swahili and Mali



Activity 1: African Trading Empires

Three great kingdoms emerged in western Africa between 700 and 1600. These were

the Ghana Empire, the Mali Empire, and the Songhai Empire. Each of these had distinct

characteristics. The one thing they had in common was that their wealth was based on

trade. Answer the questions below as they relate to each empire to reinforce your

knowledge about these three great civilizations.

What person founded this empire?

1. Ghana Empire:

2. Mali Empire:

3. Songhai Empire:

What was the major city of this empire?

4. Ghana Empire:

5. Mali Empire:

6. Songhai Empire:

During what years did this empire flourish?

7. Ghana Empire:

8. Mali Empire:

9. Songhai Empire:

What goods did this empire trade?



10. Ghana Empire:

11. Mali Empire:

12. Songhai Empire:

What modern country exists where this empire once ruled?

13. Ghana Empire:

14. Mali Empire:

15. Songhai Empire:

What made this empire unique from the others?

16. Ghana Empire:

17. Mali Empire:

18. Songhai Empire:



Activity 2: Mansa Musa

Mansa Musa became king of the Mali Empire in 1312. While he was the king, West

Africa experienced a golden age.

Pair up with a classmate. One of you will play the role of a newspaper reporter. The

other will play the role of Mansa Musa. As a reporter, you ask the king four questions

about his rule. These may be on any topic you want from the wonders of Timbuktu to

Mansa Musa’s pilgrimage to Mecca. As Mansa Musa, your partner answers the

interviewer’s questions. Then switch roles.

Question 1

1. Reporter:

2. Mansa Musa:

Question 2

3. Reporter:



4. Mansa Musa:

Question 3

5. Reporter:

6. Mansa Musa:

Question 4

7. Reporter:

8. Mansa Musa:



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