Chapter

5
West Africa

Empires of West Africa

1)
2)
3)

West Africa has 3 vegeta3on zones:

Desert
Grasslands/Savannah
Forests
Congo and Niger (NY-juhr) Rivers are in West
Africa

From 300 to 1500 C.E., West Africa was ruled

by 3 powerful empires:
1) Ghana
2) Mali
3) Songhai

The empires of Africa depended on trade of
salt from North Africa and gold from West
Africa.
READ and DISCUSS Mansa Musas caravan
WATCH Ancient City of Timbuktu

Village Life in West Africa

Family rela3onships were important in
West Africa.
A connec3on among people by blood,
marriage, or adop3on is called kinship.
Kinship groups form larger groups called
clans.
In West Africa history and cultural values
were shared orally by griots through
stories and music.
People in West Africa focused on specic
types of work known as labor
specializa9on.
WATCH President Obama Speech

LAUSD Career Cruising

Career
Earnings range
Educa3on
Suggested high school classes
Core tasks
Work place
Read interview(s)
Write 3 things you learned from
reading the interview(s).

The Growth of Ghanas Empire

People that lived between the Sahara and
forests were known as Ghana.
Ghana was named a\er the king of the region.
The capital city of Ghana was Koumbi Saleh.

Salt crossed the Sahara and arrived in Ghana
from the north.
Gold, slaves, and food arrived in Ghana from
the south.

The King of Ghana became very rich by taxing
trade, conquering surrounding lands, and
forcing conquered people to pay tribute.

WATCH History Channel Digging for the Truth

Islam and Ghana

Berbers from North Africa traded salt and
other goods across the Sahara.
Berbers spoke Arabic, and prac3ced Islam.
Berbers established trade routes to West
Africa, and introduced Arabic and Islam to
West Africa.
Some kings of Ghana converted to Islam, and
used Arabic in government.
The upper class of Ghana converted to Islam,
but most people kept their tradi3onal beliefs.
During the 11th century (1001-1100 C.E.) a
Muslim group called the Almoravids declared
war on Ghana, and in 1076 captured the
capital city of Koumbi Saleh.

The Empire of Mali

In around 1240 C.E., the empire of Mali formed in
southern Ghana.
The Mali were founded by a group called Malinke.
The Malinke were led by Chief Sundiata (sun-jahtah).
Sundiata developed the city of Timbuktu on the
Niger River.
Timbuktu was located where the desert and
savannah vegeta3on zones met.
Like the kings of Ghana, Sundiata believed in both
Islam and tradi3onal religious beliefs.
WATCH History Channel Digging for the Truth (GOLD
17:30-21:54)

Mansa Musa Expands the Empire

In 1312, Mansa Musa became king of Mali.
Mansa Musa was a devoted Muslim, but
allowed people of Mali to prac3ce other
religions.
Mansa in the Malinke language means king.
In Arabic, Musa means Moses.
In 1324, Mansa Musa traveled on a pilgrimage
to Mecca.

A\er Mansa Musa returned from Mecca he
built mosques and universi3es in Timbuktu.

WATCH History Channel Digging for the Truth
(SALT 31:45-34:45)

Decline of Mali
A\er Mansa Musa died, his
descendants fought each other
about who should be the next
leader.
The gh3ng weakened the Mali
empire, Timbuktu was raided and
burned.

In 1433, the Berbers captured
Timbuktu.
By 1500, Malis territory was
reduced to the original size
controlled by the Malinke people.

The Empire of Songhai

At about 1365 C.E., Songhai city of Gao
gained independence from Mali.

In 1468 C.E., the Songhai king, Sunni Ali,
defeated the Berbers and captured
Timbuktu and Jenne (Djenne).
Sunni Ali died in 1492, and his son became
ruler of Songhai.
In 1493, Askia Muhammad defeated Sunni
Alis son and became ruler of Songhai.
As ruler, Askia Muhammad increased the
size of the Songhai empire and spread
Islam throughout the empire.

Songhai Falls
By 1519, Askia Muhammad was a halfblind old man.
In 1528, Askia Muhammads son
removed him from the throne and sent
him to live on an island.
While Askia Muhammad lived on the
island his children fought each other for
control of the Songhai empire.
In 1537, Askia Muhammad returned to
Gao, but died the next year.
In 1591, Morocco captured Timbuktu
and Gao.
READ History Makers Askia Muhammad