Lesson 1.5 The Sudanic Empires: Ghana, Mali, and Somghai (UNFINISHED)

What is the relationship between gold, salt, and African kingdoms?

• Caused them to grow rich after trading it → same high demand goods

• Found in west, east, and south Africa

• Valuable & lots to sell there → trade survival

• Salt preserved and improved taste

In the 790’s AD-1235 AD, what happened with the Ghana Empire?

• The empire grew rich after trading in gold and salt

• It was advanced in government and culture

What happened with the Songhai/songhay empire in 1000AD-1591

• Thought to have settled in 800Bc but only developed 11th century

• Many of their kings were of predominant religion muslim

What happened with the mali empire in 1230AD-1600

• Traded in gold dust, salt, copper, and cowries

• The name mali came from one of their emperors

How did the location along trade routes impact the kingdoms?

You could make more money because you have items people want. Sell and earn lots of income.

Ghana is the oldest kingdom in west africa that we have evidence for. What else is special about ghana?

• Smallest but largest lasting of the 3 empires

• Located between the niger and the senegal empire. Center of trade between northern africa and the rest of the continent

• gold was the most important but salt was vital

Songhai was the last and largest of the sudan ice empires. what else is unique about the songhai empire?

• reclaimed independence form mali and expanded

• portuguese traded along the west coast of african. Trade shifted from the trans-saharan to the atlantic

• wealth dismissed and the empire fell

Mali is the richest kingdom ever to exist in world history. What else is special about mali?

• Founded by sundiata

• Their extreme wealth allowed them to crossbreed northern african horses and use steel for weapons

• powerful army that allowed them to expand their territories

What are some notes about ghanas religion?

What are some notes about ghanas cities/trade?

What are some notes about ghanas political structure/major leaders

What are some notes about ghanas social stratification?

What are some notes about ghanas decline?

What are some notes about songhai/songhay’s religion?

What are some notes about songhais cities/trade?

what are some notes about songhais political structure/major leaders

What are some notes about songhais social stratification?

What are some notes about songhais decline?

What are some notes about malis religion?

What are some notes about malis vilifies/trade?

What are some notes about malis political structure/major leaders?

What are some notes about malis social stratification?

What are some notes about malis decline?