Aim: How did great empires influence the history
of Africa?
Do Now: Make a list of 5 things that make a civilization
great.
Global II – Mr. McEntarfer
Homework: Handout –
”Ibn Battuta Travels to
Mali”
Instructional Objectives
 We will be able to:
– Describe the characteristics of the kingdoms of
West Africa.
– Describe how cultural diffusion affected West
African religion.
Agenda:
•
Do Now
•
Mini-lecture (slides)
•
Reading Activity
•
Summary
•
Regents Practice (if time)
•
Homework
Oral Tradition
 The Griots of Africa
Why might it be difficult to
learn about African
history?
What geographic features affected
the African Kingdoms? How?
The Gold and Salt Trade


Caravans brought
salt south to Ghana
and returned north
with gold from areas
southwest of Ghana.
Ghana came to be
known as the “Gold
Coast.”
Question: Why do you
think salt was so
valuable?
What geographical feature did the trade routes cross north
of Ghana? How do you think goods were transported?
What was traded?

Early trade routes in Ghana
What does this wall
represent?
Timbuktu
 Timbuktu became the center of West
African gold and salt trade across the
Sahara Desert.
 Center of learning that attracted
students from Europe, Africa and
Asia. Many of whom studied the
Quran.
 Mali’s King Mansa Musa brought
back scholars and architects from his
pilgrimage to Mecca here.
How was Timbuktu different from other
trading cities like Venice and Canton?
Timbuktu today. The books below are over 400 years old.
Activity – Guided Reading (285-287)
Part I – Independent
• Groups of Three (1. Ghana 2. Mali 3. Songhai).
• Use the reading on pages 285-287 and fill in four facts about each African
kingdom in the boxes. For each kingdom give information about:
• It’s location
• Sources of wealth
• Religion practiced
• Great Leaders and their accomplishments
Part II – Come together as a group
• As a group fill in the last box on all three African Kingdoms, which asks
you to identify the similarities between the kingdoms of Ghana, Mali and
Songhai.
Part III – Share out on the board.
Share-out
Ghana
Mali
Songhai
Ghana, Mali and
Songhai
Review Notes

Ghana
–
–
–
–

Location – Niger and Senegal Rivers
Religion – Islam diffused from N. Africa
Economy – Controlled gold and salt trade across the Sahara
Leadership – King was semi-divine and very wealthy
Mali
–
–
–
–
Located - Niger River
Religion – Islam
Economy – Controlled gold and salt trade caravans
Leadership – Mansa Musa expanded empire and converted to Islam. Went on a
pilgrimage to Mecca and spread Middle eastern ideas in West Africa.
Review Notes

Songhai
–
–
–
–

Located - Niger River
Religion – Islamic state set up after Sonni Ali’s death
Economy – Brought salt and gold trade under their control, including Timbuktu.
Leadership – Sonni Ali used a powerful army to forge a large empire, not a Muslim.
Ghana, Mali and Songhai
–
–
–
–
Located - Niger River, bordered the Sahara Desert.
Religion – All kingdoms adapted Islam (cultural diffusion)
Economy – All controlled the salt and gold trade and Timbuktu.
Leadership – Wealthy and powerful kings adapted Islam, except Sonni Ali.
Summary Questions
 Why were these West African Kingdoms
so wealthy?
 Why did these civilizations develop along
the Niger River?
 Why was Timbuktu such an important city?
 What religion was practiced in all of these
kingdoms?
 Why is Mansa Musa such an important
figure in West African history?
Regents Practice
Regents Practice
Regents Practice