Ancient African Kingdoms: Ghana, Mali, & Songhai

Songhai Empire

Empire that existed from 1400 CE to 1600 CE, known for being a military superpower.

Powerful Kings

Kings of Ghana taxed the salt trade and had exclusive rights to trade gold.

Timbuktu's fame

Resulted from Mansa Musa's pilgrimage, attracting Europe's attention.

Islamic experts

Returned to Mali with Mansa Musa from Hajj, contributing to architecture, art, academics, and religion.

Sahel Region

Semi-arid region in Africa stretching East to west, just south of the Sahara.

Empire of Ghana

Developed along the Sahel, known for its wealth in gold and trade.

Caravans

Large groups traveling together, mapped out oases for rest & water, provided security.

Berbers

Tribe indigenous to North Africa, later converted to Islam and mined salt deposits.

Mansa Musa

Wealthiest man who ever lived, ruler of the Mali Empire, expanded territory and taxed gold and salt trade.

Timbuktu

Capital city of the Mali Empire, became a center of learning and culture.

Salt

Plentiful in Northern Africa, extremely scarce south of the Sahara, needed for survival.

Gold for Salt

Ghana began trading gold for salt, selling salt to Sub-Saharan Africa.

Gold Laws

Only Kings could own gold, giving them exclusive rights to trade gold with the Islamic world.

Mansa Musa's Pilgrimage (1324)

Pilgrimage to Mecca with a 60,000 person entourage, gave away gold, destabilizing local economies.

Cultural Diffusion

Result of Islam spreading along trade routes established by the Songhai Empire.

Wealth of Mansa Musa

Estimated worth of $400 billion in today's money.

Population of Mali Empire

Grew to 40 million during Mansa Musa's rule.

Trans-Saharan Trade

Trade across the Sahara Desert, primarily involving gold and salt.

Mali Empire

Empire that flourished from 1200 CE to 1400 CE, known for its wealth and cultural achievements.

Hajj

Islamic practice of pilgrimage to Mecca.

Sonni Ali

First king of the Songhai Empire, known for conquering Timbuktu and re-establishing trade.