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Kingdom of Ghana
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INTRODUCTION TO Kingdoms of AfricaEQ: How did Ghana
become a trading empire?
Background Information on Ghana• Kingdom of Ghana
lasted from 500C.E. until 1200s.
• Existed in the semidry Sahel, spread between Senegal and Niger Rivers– (Modern day
Mauritania and Mali)
How Did Ghana Develop into an Empire?
• We don’t know for sure!• Possibly a group of
warriors used iron weapons to defeat neighbors– Ghana means “war chief”
• Control of trade (GOLD) made king and people wealthy
13.2 Ghana’s Gov’t and Military• Arab scholars called
Ghana “land of gold”• Ghana ruled by
powerful king– Head of army– Made decisions
(justice)– Led religious
worship
How did the King Preserve Wealth?• King controlled supply
of gold• All of the gold nuggets
in kingdom had to be given to king (Some chunks weighed 40 pounds!)– Other people only
got gold dust
Daily Life of King• Each day king held court
with his people– King arrived to beat of
royal drums– He dressed in colorful
robes, gold jewels, cap• His people showed
respect by kneeling and throwing dust on their heads
What Happened in Court?• King does business
within empire• Listens to concerns of
people• King is surrounded by
young servants, governor, dogs with gold collars
• LOTS OF RICHES!
What Did King’s Government Officials Do?
• Officials were paid from kingdom’s wealth
• Officials in charge of:– Army, business,
taxes• King chose governors
to rule some parts of his empire
When Kings Died...• Sons DID NOT inherit
the throne!• Royal inheritance was
matrilineal– BASED ON
WOMEN’S FAMILY LINE
• In Ghana, the son of the king’s sister took over the throne
Ghana’s Military• Had regular army,
reserve forces, and elite (top) soldiers
• Regular Army: (Thousands)– Kept borders secure,
peaceful– Wore cotton pants,
sandals, headdresses– Color of soldier’s shirt, and
# of feathers in headdress show rank
– Used weapons (Spears, swords, bows and arrows)
During wartime...• King called upon more
forces• Every man in empire
had to complete military training
• 200, 000 soldiers gathered at times!
• Top (elite) soldiers selected for courage, honesty, intelligence– Bodyguards, escorts,
advisors
Part 2 EQ: Explain How Trade Worked in Ghana…
• Ghana between 2 trading areas– North African forests and forests of
Southern West Africa
What resources did traders have?North Traders:
-crossed Sahara with salt, copper, and cowrie shells (used as $)
Traders from S. Western Africa:-had Kola nuts, hides, leather, ivory, gold, even slaves
Ghana’s Location
• Allowed it to control TRANS-SAHARAN trade
• Traders going south had to pass through Ghana
• Each time, paid taxes
• Taxes led to Ghana’s wealth
What is Trans-Saharan Trade?• Archeologists
found evidence to show North Africans brought gold from southern forests in 400B.C.E ! (LONG AGO!)
• Travel across Sahara desert is very hard
Increase in Trans-Saharan Trade caused by…..
• Use of camels!– Brought to Sahara
300C.E– Traveled well in
desert– Drink 25 gallons of
water at a time!– Travel many days
without stopping• Double eyelashes
and hairy ears to keep sand out!
Aren’t I
cute!!?
Trade also increased because of the spread of…
• ISLAM! • Muslims invaded Ghana’s empire in 7th
Century• Muslims converted West Africans to
Islam, controlled trade– Muslims became merchants– In 1000, Ghana dominated trade routes
between N and W Africa
What was the journey like for traders coming from the North?
• Start in N. Africa, travel along border of Sahara
• Cross Ghana, Gulf of Guinea, to Chad
• 1352: Muslim historian Ibn
Battuta crossed Sahara
Battuta described his journey as…• Dangerous• Caravans lost way,
some died• No water, killed
camels, drank water in stomachs
• Stopped at Taghaza, salt mines
• Got salt to take to porters (people who carry loads)
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