Chapter 13 African Empires The Geography of Africa

Chapter 13 African Empires The Geography of Africa p 370 -373 West African Kingdoms p 374 -379 East, Central and Southern Africa p 380 -385

West African Kingdoms Unit 5 Chapter 13 Lesson 2 p 374 -379

West Africa

Kingdom of Ghana

Kingdom of Ghana � The kingdom was rich in gold � KINGDOM of Ghana is not the same as Country of Ghana � The Arabs wrote of the history of Ghana � It started around 300 AD � Founded by the Soninke people � Early people in Ghana farmed, fished & herded cattle � Koumbi the Ghana capital became a major center of trade � By late 900’s Ghana a great trading empire � Trade routes brought Islamic faith to Ghana � Many of the Soninke converted to Islam � Ghana adopted Arabic writing � By 1203 Soninke lost power to King Sumanguru

Kingdom of Mali

Mali �in 1235 Sundiata defeated King Sumanguru and created Kingdom of Mali �Mali increased in size �Mali had strong agricultural economy but main source of wealth was trade �Discover of Gold on Niger River made Mali wealthy �By 1300 Mali most powerful Empire in West Africa

Mali’s King Mansa Musa �Greatest Mali King �Sundiata’s Grandson �Strong Muslim ruler � Many converted under his rule �Mansa Musa went on pilgrimage to Mecca � He had a HUGE entourage � Stayed in Egypt

Jenne-jenno �Ancient City located Southwest of Timbuktu

Mosque in present Day Jenne-jenno

Songhai

Songhai �Group of farmers, traders & warriors along the Niger River �Fought to remain independent of Kingdom of Mali �City of Gao was the capital �By 1735 refused to pay tribute to Mali

Songhai �King Sonni Ali � Songhai became a major center of trade � Divided land into provinces � Professional army & navy �Muslim influence created discord in Empire � 1591 Invaded & defeated by Moroccans with guns