West African KingdomsWest African Kingdoms

Coach ParrishCoach Parrish

OMSOMS

Chapter 11, Section 2Chapter 11, Section 2

King of MaliKing of Mali

Soldiers whose swords hung from gold chains Soldiers whose swords hung from gold chains rode horses decorated with gold. Thousands rode horses decorated with gold. Thousands of slaves, each carrying a gold staff, marched of slaves, each carrying a gold staff, marched along side the soldiers. The procession, along side the soldiers. The procession, 60,000 strong, included dozens of camels each 60,000 strong, included dozens of camels each loaded with many pounds of gold.loaded with many pounds of gold.

This was the caravan of This was the caravan of Mansa MusaMansa Musa – king of – king of Mali, in West Africa.Mali, in West Africa.

Mansa MusaMansa Musa

Kingdoms of the SavannaKingdoms of the Savanna

Mansa Musa ruled Mansa Musa ruled MaliMali – rich kingdom of the – rich kingdom of the West African savanna. The kingdoms of the West African savanna. The kingdoms of the savanna controlled trade routes through the savanna controlled trade routes through the Sahara.Sahara.

Traders had to pay taxes when passing, and Traders had to pay taxes when passing, and these taxes made the kingdoms rich.these taxes made the kingdoms rich.

African CivilizationsAfrican Civilizations

Ghana, Kingdom of TradeGhana, Kingdom of Trade

SaltSalt and and goldgold were the basis of West African were the basis of West African trade. Salt was very valuable because of its trade. Salt was very valuable because of its many uses.many uses.

Salt was scarce in the rain forest, so the people Salt was scarce in the rain forest, so the people of the rain forest traded gold for salt. of the rain forest traded gold for salt.

GhanaGhana – first West African kingdom to grow – first West African kingdom to grow rich from the salt and gold trade.rich from the salt and gold trade.

The Fall of GhanaThe Fall of Ghana

By 1000 AD, Ghana’s capital was divided into By 1000 AD, Ghana’s capital was divided into two cities. Power began to weaken and two cities. Power began to weaken and invaders from the north overran the capital invaders from the north overran the capital city.city.

By the 1200s AD, Ghana had broken into By the 1200s AD, Ghana had broken into smaller city-states and was overthrown by smaller city-states and was overthrown by Mali. Mali.

Powerful Kingdom of MaliPowerful Kingdom of Mali

Under the leadership of Sundiata, Mali took Under the leadership of Sundiata, Mali took control of the salt and gold trade in 1230 AD.control of the salt and gold trade in 1230 AD.

In 1255 when Sundiata died, Mali was In 1255 when Sundiata died, Mali was considered the most powerful kingdom in considered the most powerful kingdom in Africa.Africa.

In 1312, Mansa Musa became ruler of Mali. In 1312, Mansa Musa became ruler of Mali. Mansa Musa introduced Islam to the region.Mansa Musa introduced Islam to the region.

The Fall of MaliThe Fall of Mali

During his 25 year rule, Mansa Musa used his During his 25 year rule, Mansa Musa used his ties to Islam to make Mali a center for ties to Islam to make Mali a center for learning. Scholars taught mathematics, learning. Scholars taught mathematics, religion, medicine and law.religion, medicine and law.

After Mansa Musa died, raiders attacked from After Mansa Musa died, raiders attacked from the north and divided Mali into provinces. the north and divided Mali into provinces. One province, Songhai, became an empire.One province, Songhai, became an empire.

Rise and Fall of SonghaiRise and Fall of Songhai

SonghaiSonghai – leading kingdom of the West Africa – leading kingdom of the West Africa savanna during the 1400s. Songhai’s leaders savanna during the 1400s. Songhai’s leaders controlled trade routes and participated in the controlled trade routes and participated in the salt and gold trade.salt and gold trade.

In less than 100 years, however, Songhai In less than 100 years, however, Songhai began to lose power. In the late 1500s, the began to lose power. In the late 1500s, the people of Songhai began fighting themselves. people of Songhai began fighting themselves. It fell when Morocco invaded with guns and It fell when Morocco invaded with guns and cannons.cannons.

Songhai EmpireSonghai Empire

Kingdoms of the ForestKingdoms of the Forest

Two of the most important kingdoms of the Two of the most important kingdoms of the West African forests were located in the cities West African forests were located in the cities of Ile-IFe and Benin. of Ile-IFe and Benin.

Each city grew rich from trade and was Each city grew rich from trade and was polytheistic.polytheistic.

Ile-Ife: Center of Culture and TradeIle-Ife: Center of Culture and Trade

About 1000 AD, Ile-Ife became a major About 1000 AD, Ile-Ife became a major cultural and trading center. Their leaders were cultural and trading center. Their leaders were called onis.called onis.

Historians know little about Ile-Ife because the Historians know little about Ile-Ife because the modern city of Ife is built on top of the ancient modern city of Ife is built on top of the ancient city and it is also thickly forested and damp.city and it is also thickly forested and damp.

Also, old mud buildings have washed away. Also, old mud buildings have washed away. The most important artifacts that scientists The most important artifacts that scientists have found are life-like sculptures.have found are life-like sculptures.

Ile-Ife StatueIle-Ife Statue

Benin Rules an EmpireBenin Rules an Empire

Benin dates to the 1200s. Workers in Benin Benin dates to the 1200s. Workers in Benin mined copper, iron, and gold. Benin’s leaders, mined copper, iron, and gold. Benin’s leaders, called obas, also sold slaves to African traders.called obas, also sold slaves to African traders.

By the 1500s, Benin reached its greatest By the 1500s, Benin reached its greatest strength. The oba controlled the army, priests, strength. The oba controlled the army, priests, government and chiefs. The city controlled government and chiefs. The city controlled trade routes along the rivers and became rich.trade routes along the rivers and became rich.

Like Ile-Ife, Benin became a center of art. The Like Ile-Ife, Benin became a center of art. The obas hired artisans to make beautiful objects.obas hired artisans to make beautiful objects.

Benin SculptureBenin Sculpture

Benin Warrior SculptureBenin Warrior Sculpture