AFRICA

ANCIENT GHANA

THE FOUNDATIONS OF A KINGDOM

• The Soninke, expanded their power by 800 AD
• Ghana began in Muslim Era, around 300 AD
• "Ghana," meaning "king," or "war-chief"

ABU UBAYD AL-BAKRI

• Scholar from Cordoba in old Spanish al-Andalus (Andalusia)
• Wrote "The Book of the Routes and Realms" 1068 AD
• Normans from France invaded Saxon England two years prior

KING TUNKA MANIN

TRADE

• Governors chosen in order for central king to rule
• Taxing traders and certain goods (i.e. Copper) added to wealth
• Gold production also taxed
• Ancient Ghana exchanged gold and other goods for salt
• Trade network mostly travelled north to Europe

Taxing gold production allowed the king to have a monopoly on gold, controlling its value.

END OF ANCIENT GHANA

• Declined around 13th century
• Sumanguru captures Kumbi Saleh
• Led Berber armies from the Sudan region
• Mandinka people fought Sumanguru
• Retreats to Tarkur in 1240 AD

MALI EMPIRE

IBN KHALDUN

• Also a Muslim scholar from al-Andalus
• Based in Cairo
• Wrote about the Mali empire
• However, never left Cairo

FOUNDING OF MALI

• Kangaba existed before 1000 AD
• Mandinka people were traders of gold
• Sundiata Keita defeats Sumanguru and creates Mali
• Mali becomes greater than Ancient Ghana

MANSA KANKAN MUSA

Extended Mali to Western Sudan

MALI'S POLITICS

• Secured the success of more trade
• Law and order under one governing system
• Many state officials were of nobility/old lineage
• Kings ruled provinces through governors
• Ministers for agriculture, finance, and fishing on Niger River

Mosques and universities were built in Gao and Timbuktu

THE PILGRIMIGE TO MECCA

• Mansa musa was Muslim like leaders before him
• Visits Cairo and distributes gold gifts
• The market in Cairo was disrupted due to quantity of gold
• On his return, Musa brought scholars and architects to Mali
• They built the temples and schools in Timbuktu & Gao that stand today

Fall of Mali was due to poor leadership after Musa. Revolt of cities and invaders separated the empire. However, Songhay empire recognized region as Mali well into early 16th century.