+
Ghana, Mali, & Songhai
+
Empire of Ghana (red outline)

SALT
SALT
GOLD
GOLD

What do you notice about
Ghana’s location?

Geography?

Natural resources?
Significance?
+
Empire of Ghana (copy)
Merchants
paid taxes to
Ghana for
salt & gold
Ghana used
money to
conquer
new
territory
-“Salt was valuable because
-“Gold was valuable because
.”
Conquered
territories
paid tribute
to Ghana
.”
+
Empire of Ghana
Berbers
People
from North Africa who
practiced Islam, spoke Arabic, &
traded salt/gold across the Sahara
Importance?
 ___________
 ___________
+
Islam & Ghana
Before Islam
Religion • Ancestor
After Islam
• Convert to Islam
• Maintain old ways
• Blend both religions
worship
• Power to rule
came from
ancestors
• Arabic (in gov’t, trade,
Languag • Tribal
languages
& cities)
e
(Soninke,
• Tribal languages
Mande)
• Only men could • Women given some
Laws
inherit property rights when fathers
+
Decline of Ghana


Almoravids – took over North Africa in 1000’s & attacked
Ghana

Wanted others to convert to Islam

Weakened Ghana’s trade network

Took capital city of Koumbi Saleh in 1076 C.E.
Significance of Ghana’s downfall?
+
Video: “DE – Islam comes to Timbuktu”

Video questions (copy & answer):

Name of empire after Ghana & who founded it?

Who was Mansa Musa & what did he do?

What did Muslims exchange for slaves & gold in Timbuktu?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zuI5jgAFjeA
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Empire of Mali
Sundiata:
founder
Timbuktu:
capital city of
Mali empire
Significance?
+
Empire of Mali:
Mansa Musa

Devout Muslim, but tolerated other
religions

Mali’s most famous king

1324: Hajj (Pilgrimage) to Mecca

12,000 slaves; 80 camels; 300 lbs of
gold
+

Empire of Mali:
Mansa Musa
Significance of Hajj?

Attracted merchants & scholars to
Mali

Increased trade between Mali &
other kingdoms

Money funded the Renaissance in
Europe
+
Decline of Mali (1332~1500)


Internal problems

Disputes over succession

Rebellion by Songhai people
External problems

Invasions by Berbers & capture of Timbuktu (1433)

Bandit attacks on trading caravans
+
Empire of Songhai

Rebelled against Mali

Gao: capital city

Sunni Ali (king)

Overthrew Berbers & expanded
Songhai empire
+
Empire of Songhai:
Askia Muhammad


Spread Islam throughout empire

Successful in cities

Not so much in countryside (still a
mix of Islamic & traditional religions)
Reorganized empire

Set up provinces with governors
Yes, that’s from
Aladdin. BUT he’s
also an example of
how Islam mixed
with African
+
Fall of Songhai


Internal problems

Disputes over succession

Weak rulers
External problems

Invasions from North Africa (late 1500’s)

Loss of $$$ (b/c lost salt mines)

Major cities (Timbuktu, Gao) captured by invaders
+
BIG IDEAS in History

Notice any similarities between Ghana, Mali, & Songhai?

Reasons for rise/expansion?

Reasons for downfall?

Other things?
+
Homework

ON A SEPARATE SHEET OF PAPER!!!!!!

Write a summary of what you learned today, USING ALL OF
THE FOLLOWING WORDS:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
Trans-Saharan Trade, Caravan
Sahara, Savannah, Rainforests
Gold, Salt, Slaves
Berbers
Ghana, Mali, Songhai
TaxesConquerTribute
Mansa Musa
Big Idea: Reasons for rise of empires? Reasons for downfall?
Similarities between the empires.