WEST AFRICAN WEST AFRICAN EMPIRESEMPIRES

What caused the rise and fall of the West What caused the rise and fall of the West African Kingdoms?African Kingdoms?

Most of the information that we have about the Most of the information that we have about the early African civilization is based on oral early African civilization is based on oral traditions. traditions.

•Why should this be so? Why should this be so?

•What advantages are there to oral history as What advantages are there to oral history as compared to written accounts. compared to written accounts.

•What other historical sources might be found What other historical sources might be found to confirm or dispute oral accounts? to confirm or dispute oral accounts?

GRIOT: “The keeper of culture.” Professional historians who recount cultural stories and history through song. They are traveling bards and poets. In ancient times a griot would “serve a ruler in much the same way that modern rulers are served by written constitutions, legal staff, and archival staffs. Griots recall what earlier leaders have done to advise current leaders on how to handle problems.”

A “Jali”- griot from Mali Griot singer Suso is playing the

kora (note his name on the instrument).

He is from, The Gambia

More about the Griot!More about the Griot! A griot is a West African storyteller-musician. A A griot is a West African storyteller-musician. A

griot doesn’t just tell stories. They typically griot doesn’t just tell stories. They typically accompany themselves on a stringed instrument. accompany themselves on a stringed instrument. They still play an important role today—to tell They still play an important role today—to tell people about the past, to keep their history alive, people about the past, to keep their history alive, and to safeguard their traditional culture. They and to safeguard their traditional culture. They sing the history of a tribe or family at weddings, sing the history of a tribe or family at weddings, naming ceremonies, and other social and naming ceremonies, and other social and religious occasions.religious occasions.

((Click to hear an example of Griot singing)Click to hear an example of Griot singing)

Matching VocabularyMatching Vocabulary

A. LineageA. Lineage B. Stateless societyB. Stateless society C. PatrilinealC. Patrilineal D. MatrilinealD. Matrilineal E. MaghrebE. Maghreb F. AlmoravidsF. Almoravids G. AlmohadsG. Almohads

Part of N. Africa that is Libya today.

Mother’s side of the family Group of Berber Muslims Common ancestors Strict religious brotherhood Father’s side of the family No system of central

power

MaliNigerMauritaniaSenegalThe GambiaGuinea BissauGuineaBurkina Faso

Natural ResourcesNatural Resources

SaltSalt GoldGold ClothCloth WeaponsWeapons TimberTimber Copper & IronCopper & Iron SlavesSlaves

Why was Salt Important?Why was Salt Important? Mali often traded its gold Mali often traded its gold

for saltfor salt Salt was sometimes more Salt was sometimes more

valuable than gold!valuable than gold! People’s bodies need salt People’s bodies need salt

to liveto live In the desert heat, salt In the desert heat, salt

is lost through is lost through perspirationperspiration

Salt was used to preserve Salt was used to preserve foodfood

Salt was brought in large Salt was brought in large slabs (coins)slabs (coins)

The man is holding a slab of salt mined recently near Timbuktu

Empire of GhanaEmpire of Ghana 3rd Century Berber nomads begin using camels. This 3rd Century Berber nomads begin using camels. This

made trade much easier throughout the Sahara regionmade trade much easier throughout the Sahara region Trade increased between West Africa and North AfricaTrade increased between West Africa and North Africa Soninke people called their land GhanaSoninke people called their land Ghana The Kings became rich by controlling the gold mines The Kings became rich by controlling the gold mines

and taxing their people and tradeand taxing their people and trade But But IronIron not gold enabled Ghana’s powerful army to not gold enabled Ghana’s powerful army to

keep the empire safe for centuries.keep the empire safe for centuries. Blacksmiths knew how to make tools and weapons.Blacksmiths knew how to make tools and weapons. Weapons stronger and sharper than neighbours.Weapons stronger and sharper than neighbours.

Spread of IslamSpread of Islam• Muslim merchants from North Africa traded with

Ghana which further increased its wealth and power

• The Muslim Almoravids began to move south in early 11th century and invaded Ghana.

• Ghana was conquered and the people of the capital city, Kumbi, were forced to convert to Islam.

• The Almoravids did not control the area for long but this did weaken the kingdom, leading to its break up into smaller states.

Ghana on the MapGhana on the Map

The king adorns himself…wearing The king adorns himself…wearing necklaces and bracelets…The court of necklaces and bracelets…The court of appeal Is held in a domed pavilion appeal Is held in a domed pavilion around which stand ten horses with gold around which stand ten horses with gold embroidered trappings. Behind the king embroidered trappings. Behind the king stand ten pages holding shields and stand ten pages holding shields and swords decorated with god, and on his swords decorated with god, and on his right are the sons of the subordinate right are the sons of the subordinate kings of his country, all wearing splendid kings of his country, all wearing splendid garments and with their hair mixed with garments and with their hair mixed with gold.gold.

What does this quote tell us about What does this quote tell us about life in Ghana?life in Ghana?

Al-Bakri: Arab writer who travelled in the kingdom of Ghana in 1065

Empire of MaliEmpire of Mali

1235 Mali emerges as a major kingdom1235 Mali emerges as a major kingdom Located south of GhanaLocated south of Ghana This kingdom became important when This kingdom became important when

resources became scarce and trade resources became scarce and trade routes shiftedroutes shifted

This made them wealthy and helped Mali This made them wealthy and helped Mali to obtain more power.to obtain more power.

Society of the MalinkeSociety of the Malinke

Farmers vs. PastoralistsFarmers vs. Pastoralists

●● Farmers work the land; largest group; Farmers work the land; largest group; provide nobilityprovide nobility

● ● Pastoralists semi-nomadic herders; Pastoralists semi-nomadic herders; sometimes required farmers to provide sometimes required farmers to provide food and other goodsfood and other goods

SundiataSundiata

Sundiata was the first king of Mali. He is most famous for uniting and enlarging Mali. He was called a lion as a child because he crawled rather than walked because his legs were weak. He was called the lion king as an adult because he was a strong king. Sundiata was a follower of Islam.

Sundiata’s InfluenceSundiata’s Influence

Expansion of Empire-Mali extended over Expansion of Empire-Mali extended over 1,000 miles from east to west1,000 miles from east to west

Trade was reestablished and Mali Trade was reestablished and Mali controlled gold and salt from 1200-1500controlled gold and salt from 1200-1500

Sundiata introduced the cultivation and Sundiata introduced the cultivation and weaving of cotton in the areaweaving of cotton in the area

After Sundiata’s death…After Sundiata’s death…

Mali endured a period of political Mali endured a period of political instabilityinstability

The rulers of Mali came to be called The rulers of Mali came to be called “Mansa”; meaning “emperor” or “master”“Mansa”; meaning “emperor” or “master”

In 1307 the grandson of Sundiata’s half In 1307 the grandson of Sundiata’s half brother rose to power…brother rose to power…

Mansa MusaMansa Musa

Mansa Musa was another great king of Mali. He was the grandson of Sundiata. He was a follower of Islam. Mansa Musa made a hajj to Mecca. He is best know for putting Mali on the map; people knew about the country of Mali after he made the hajj to Mecca. Mansa Musa started universities and built mosques in Timbuktu making the former trading center a center for worship and learning.

The HajjThe Hajj Mansa Musa was a devout MuslimMansa Musa was a devout Muslim

Muslims must make a journey to Mecca called a ‘hajj’Muslims must make a journey to Mecca called a ‘hajj’

Mansa Musa crossed Africa to reach MeccaMansa Musa crossed Africa to reach Mecca

He took a huge caravan with him in 1324He took a huge caravan with him in 1324

After that, everyone knew aboutAfter that, everyone knew about the wealth of Malithe wealth of Mali

The Songhay 1350-1600c CE Sonni Ali 1464 CE: Made the Songhay the most Sonni Ali 1464 CE: Made the Songhay the most

powerful state in the region at the time. powerful state in the region at the time. Seized Timbuktu, Gao and other areas of Kingdom Seized Timbuktu, Gao and other areas of Kingdom

of Mali.of Mali. Askia Mohammed 1493 CE: Expanded the Askia Mohammed 1493 CE: Expanded the

Kingdom even further.Kingdom even further. Developed strong centralised government, system Developed strong centralised government, system

of laws and increased military.of laws and increased military. Brought peace and stability to KingdomBrought peace and stability to Kingdom By 1600 CE Moroccans invaded and conquered By 1600 CE Moroccans invaded and conquered

KingdomKingdom..

Putting it all TogetherPutting it all TogetherThe Empires of Ghana, Mali, and The Empires of Ghana, Mali, and

SonghaiSonghaiAnalyse your note chart for these three empires…

List 3 similarities List 3 differences Make a prediction:

After the destruction of Songhai what do you think became of the trade routes and wealth of Western Africa?

Make a connection:Show how one of these empires would fit the analogy of ‘Empire Stew’.

Life Cycle of a City State: Use the statements to create a circular diagram that

explains the life cycle of a city state.

TimbuktuTimbuktu

A very important A very important city in Malicity in Mali Center of learning Center of learning

for Muslimsfor Muslims Universities and Universities and

schoolsschools Largest trading Largest trading

center in Malicenter in Mali On the Niger RiverOn the Niger River

TradeTrade FoodFood WashingWashing

Timbuktu

19th century traders in Timbuktu

What’s in a Name?What’s in a Name?

To Timbuktu and backTo Timbuktu and back Way out inTimbuktuWay out inTimbuktu That’s about as far as TimbuktuThat’s about as far as Timbuktu I’ll knock you clear to TimbuktuI’ll knock you clear to Timbuktu Goin’ to TimbuktuGoin’ to Timbuktu

Tenbuch? Timbuktu? Tenbuch? Timbuktu? Tombuto? Timbouctou?Tombuto? Timbouctou?

From Trading Post to Commercial EmpireFrom Trading Post to Commercial Empire

Around 1100 C.E., a Around 1100 C.E., a Tuareg woman called Buktu settled woman called Buktu settled Timbuktu as a seasonal camp. Grazing her herds and flocks Timbuktu as a seasonal camp. Grazing her herds and flocks during the dry season not far from the Niger River, she during the dry season not far from the Niger River, she discovered an oasis and decided to set up a tented camp and discovered an oasis and decided to set up a tented camp and dig a well there. Very soon, the little seasonal camp, called dig a well there. Very soon, the little seasonal camp, called Timbuktu (literally Buktu's well)Timbuktu (literally Buktu's well) became an important stop for became an important stop for other nomads as well as the caravans traveling along the trans-other nomads as well as the caravans traveling along the trans-Saharan route.Saharan route.

““Tim” meant “place of” or “tom” meant “belonging to”Tim” meant “place of” or “tom” meant “belonging to”

www.historychannel.comwww.historychannel.com

Evaluating SourcesEvaluating Sources

Ancient Manuscripts from the Desert Ancient Manuscripts from the Desert Libraries of Timbuktu.Libraries of Timbuktu.Primary sources evaluation. Examine and Primary sources evaluation. Examine and evaluate the sources in the online evaluate the sources in the online exhibition.exhibition.www.loc.gov/exhibits/mali/mali-overview.html

A Village in MaliA Village in Mali

A Village in Mali A Village in Mali SimulationSimulation

Roles are assignedRoles are assigned Everyone must make a name tagEveryone must make a name tagThe following people get together!:The following people get together!:

Village Chief and EldersVillage Chief and Elders Young menYoung men Individuals and women (find your spouse)Individuals and women (find your spouse) TreasurersTreasurers Griot and DrummerGriot and Drummer

That’s a Fact!That’s a Fact!

The thatched roof of the debating The thatched roof of the debating chamber in some Malian villages chamber in some Malian villages is set deliberately low to prevent is set deliberately low to prevent elders standing up and coming to elders standing up and coming to blows when they disagree!blows when they disagree!

Where is our Village?Where is our Village?

Somewhere between Sosso and NianiSomewhere between Sosso and Niani Sumanguru is the tyrant of the region.Sumanguru is the tyrant of the region. Sundiata is still in exile in the kingom of Sundiata is still in exile in the kingom of

Mema. Mema.

Village MeetingVillage Meeting

Drummer call the meetingDrummer call the meeting Everyone sits in a circle:Everyone sits in a circle:

Chief sit next to eldersChief sit next to elders Women sit with husbandsWomen sit with husbands Griot next to drummerGriot next to drummer Young men outside the circleYoung men outside the circle

Meeting AgendaMeeting Agenda

Chief calls the meeting to orderChief calls the meeting to order Treasures go around collecting cola nuts and Treasures go around collecting cola nuts and

feesfees Small problems addressed firstSmall problems addressed first

Individuals ask the chief’s advice (in order of age Individuals ask the chief’s advice (in order of age eldest to youngest)eldest to youngest)

Larger problem is communicated to villagersLarger problem is communicated to villagers Opinions are heardOpinions are heard Chief and Elders make final decisionChief and Elders make final decision

Griot and DrummerGriot and Drummer

Griot and drummer repeat the information Griot and drummer repeat the information of the village meeting of the village meeting