ACIENT GHANA

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TIME FRAME OF EMPIRE

• Ancient Ghana ruled from 300 to 1100 CE

Daily life
The people in Ghana were very happy. They worked hard, but they were safe and protected. They benefited from the wealth that poured into the empire. The king and nobles lived in the best houses

Religion
The religions that ancient Ghana had was Christianity and Islam. Ghana also had a couple of their on beliefs.

ITEMS TRADED

• Coco
• Fish
• Lumber
• Gold
• Aluminum

Influential ruler
King Tenkamenin ruled Ghana from 1037-1075 AD. He was known well for starting the Saharan gold trade.

Art
People in ancient Ghana created tons of art. Some of the things that they created was kente cloth, brass casting,and stamped adinkra cloth.

The fall of empires
One reason that ancient Ghana fell was they were invaded by a group of Muslims and refused to convert to Islam. When they did that the became soon under attack of Northern Africa.

ANCIENT MALI

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TIME FRAME

• The Empire of Mali was1235-1600 CE

Daily life
Although we mostly hear about the vast riches of the kings of Ancient Africa, the daily life of the average person was much different. The commoners in Ancient Africa were typically very poor and had to work hard all their lives.

Religion
The religion of Islam was an important part of the Mali Empire. Many people practiced a version of Islam that combined Islamic beliefs with the local traditions.

Influential leaders
Mansa Musa became famous because of his lavish trip to Mecca in Saudi Arabia. Mecca is the holy city of the Muslims and Mansa Musa decided to make a pilgrimage to Mecca in 1324.

Art
Their were many different types of art in Mali. Traditionally art had a meaning linked to religion, wealth, success, and agriculture.

Decline or empire
In the 1400s the empire began to lose control along the edges of its borders. Then, in the 1500 the Songhay Empire rose to power. The Mali Empire came to an end in 1610 with the death of the last Mansa Mahmud IV.

SONGHAI

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TIME FRAME OF EMPIRE

• The Songhai Empire lasted from 1464 to 1591

Daily life
Daily life was often ruled by traditions and local customs, but the law of the land was based on Islam.

Religion
The Songhai culture became a blend of traditional West African beliefs and the religion of Islam. Daily life was often ruled by traditions and local customs, but the law of the land was based on Islam.

Trade
The slave trade became an important part of the Songhai Empire. Slaves were used to help transport goods across the Sahara Desert to Morocco and the Middle East. Slaves were also sold to Europeans to work in Europe and the Americas.

Askia Muhammad
In 1493, Askia Muhammad became the leader of the Songhai. He brought the Songhai Empire to its height of power and founded the Askia Dynasty.

Art
Songhay are well known for weaving blankets and mats. The elaborate cotton blankets woven by men in the town of Tera are highly prized throughout the Sahel. Women living along the Niger River weave palm frond mats that have different designs.

Decline of empire
In 1591, the Moroccan army invaded and captured the cities of Timbuktu and Gao. The empire collapsed and was divided up into a number of separate smaller states.