Societies of West Africa Societies of West Africa

Societies of West Africa { Societies of West Africa

Africa is second largest continent; variety of land forms and climate By A. D. 1500, trade routes link African coastal ports with rest of world West Africa has rain forest and savanna; the Sahara borders the north African Geography and World Trade

Camel caravans cross Sahara; connect West Africa with rest of world First West African kingdom, Ghana, grows rich from gold and salt trade Controls this trade from 700 s to mid-1000 s Kings impose taxes, use wealth for army, build empire Ghana Grows Wealthy

Muslims—followers of the religion Islam—founded by prophet Muhammad; teaches that there is one God, Allah Muslim traders bring Islam from North Africa to West Africa In 1076, Muslim army conquers Ghana city and weakens Ghana’s power Islam Enters Ghana

By 1200 s, kingdom of Mali conquers most of Ghana Its wealth also comes from gold-salt trade Mali’s ruler, Sundiata, increases Mali’s power, prosperity Other great leader, Mansa Musa (1312– 1337), is Muslim Shows off wealth to rest of world; spreads Islamic culture in Mali After Mansa Musa’s death, Mali slowly weakens Mali Replaces Ghana

Songhai people break away from Mali, begin own empire Led by Sunni Ali, they capture Timbuktu, set up governmental system Sunni Ali dies (1492); led by Askia Muhammad, Muslims take over Askia Muhammad expands trade, sets up tax system, builds Mosques After his death, Songhai weakens; Moroccan army defeats Songhai (1591) The Empire of Songhai

Hausa states emerge after A. D. 1000 in northern Nigeria; trade thrives Yoruba live southwest of Niger River, mostly farmers, have gifted artists Kingdom of Benin in delta of Niger River prospers through trade In late 1400 s, Portuguese and other Europeans trade goods with Benin Europeans also trade for enslaved Africans Use enslaved laborers to work on large farms, called plantations Other West African Kingdoms