Medieval Africa

World History

Mansa

• Name for King of Mali Empire

Mansa Musa

• Mansa = king of Mali

• Ruled 1312–1337 CE

• One of the richest rulers in history

• Controlled gold trade of West Africa

• Expanded and strengthened Mali Empire

• Famous Hajj (1324–1325)

• Traveled with hundreds of camels carrying gold

• Gave away so much gold it lowered prices in Cairo

• Put Mali on European maps

• Built mosques along his route

• Promoted Islamic law (sharia) in cities

• Brought back scholars and books

• Made Timbuktu a center of learning

• Shown on the Catalan Atlas holding gold

Sundiata Keita

• Founder of the Mali Empire

• Ruled in the early 1200s

• Defeated the Susu Kingdom at the Battle of Kirina (1235 CE)

• United many West African kingdoms

• Created a strong centralized government

• Established laws and traditions for Mali

• Protected merchants and trade routes

• Encouraged gold–salt trade

• Practiced traditional African religion

• Became a legendary hero in oral tradition

• Main figure in the Epic of Sundiata

• Remembered for wisdom, strength, and leadership

Indian Ocean Trade Network

A sea-based trade system connecting East Africa, the Middle East, South Asia, Southeast Asia, and China using monsoon winds.

What African region participated most in the Indian Ocean trade?

The Swahili Coast of East Africa

Important African trading cities in the Indian Ocean network.

Kilwa, Mombasa, Zanzibar, Lamu, Sofala

What were monsoon winds?

Seasonal winds that blow northeast in winter and southwest in summer, allowing round-trip sea travel.

What goods did East Africa export in the Indian Ocean trade?

Gold, ivory, enslaved people, animal hides, tortoiseshell.

What goods did East Africa import through Indian Ocean trade?

Porcelain, silk, spices, glassware, and luxury cloth.

How was Great Zimbabwe connected to Indian Ocean trade?

It supplied gold that was traded through the coastal city of Sofala.

What cultural effect did Indian Ocean trade have on East Africa?

The spread of Islam and the development of Swahili culture.

What were the Trans-Saharan Trade Routes?

Overland trade routes crossing the Sahara Desert that connected West Africa to North Africa and the Mediterranean world.

Name major West African empires involved in Trans-Saharan trade.

Ghana, Mali, Songhai

Name important trading cities in West Africa.

Timbuktu, Gao, Djenne.

What was the most important export from West Africa?

Gold.

What was the most important import into West Africa?

Salt

What other goods were traded across the Sahara?

Enslaved people, ivory, kola nuts, horses, textiles, weapons, and books.

Where did the salt come from?

Mainly North Africa and the Sahara

Where did the gold come from?

Mainly West and Southern Africa

Regions:

• Great Zimbabwe

  • Controlled inland goldfields

  • Supplied gold to Sofala

• Ghana, Mali, Songhai

  • These places did not mine gold directly, but controlled gold mines

Ghana

• West Africa, between Senegal and Niger Rivers

• c. 800–1076 CE

• One of the first West African empires

• Controlled Trans-Saharan trade routes

• Did not mine gold, but controlled goldfields

• Traded gold and salt

• Taxed all goods entering and leaving empire

• Became very wealthy and powerful

• Capital had two cities (Muslim traders + king)

• Strong military protected trade

• Rulers practiced traditional religions

• Islam spread through trade

• Conquered by Almoravids (1076)

• Decline led to rise of Mali

Mali

• Existed 1235–1464 CE

• Located in West Africa

• Founded by Sundiata Keita

• Rose after the decline of Ghana

• Capital cities included Niani, Timbuktu, and Gao

• Controlled Trans-Saharan trade routes

• Major goods: gold, salt, slaves

• Wealth came from taxing trade, not mining gold directly

• Niger River supported farming and trade

• Rulers called mansas

• Mansa Musa expanded wealth and influence

• Islam influenced government and education

• Connected West Africa to Afro-Eurasian trade networks

Songhai

• Existed 1464–1591 CE

• Located in West Africa

• Capital city: Gao

• Replaced Mali as the strongest empire

• Controlled Trans-Saharan trade routes

• Traded gold, salt, slaves

• Sunni Ali: strong military leader

• Askia Muhammad: organized government and bureaucracy

• Used Islam in government

• Maintained religious tolerance

• Largest West African empire

• Defeated by Morocco (1591)

• Morocco used guns and gunpowder

Benin Empire

• Located in modern-day Nigeria

• Comprised of city-states

• Ruled by a king called the Oba

• Oba was divine, one foot in human world, one in spiritual

• Walls of Benin controlled the population

• Famous for Benin Bronzes (plaques and sculptures)

• Began slave trade with Portuguese in 1480s

• Traded brass, guns, and other goods

• Declined due to European contact and influence

• Craftsmen were skilled servants of the Oba

Swahili City-States

• Located along East African coast (e.g., Mombasa, Kilwa, Zanzibar, Lamu)

• No central authority, cities independent

• Connected through trade, language, and religion

• Built stone houses and mosques

• Traded gold, ivory, spices, cloth, porcelain

• Used dhows and monsoon winds for Indian Ocean trade

  • Northeast Monsoon: Nov–Mar → India, Arabia, Persia → Africa

  • Southwest Monsoon: Apr–Oct → Africa → India

• Merchants held political power, not kings

• Blended Islam with African traditions

• Used Arabic script for record keeping

Kilwa

• Major Swahili city-state on East African coast

• Midpoint between South Africa and farthest point dhows could reach from India

• Controlled trade from gold fields in Sofala

• Became very wealthy by 1300 CE

• Used monsoon winds for sailing and trade

• Seized Sofala by late 1200s

• Thrived off Indian Ocean trade

• Issued own coins

• Bantu + Arabic culture blended to create Swahili culture

Great Zimbabwe

• Established by Shona in 1100

• Located between Zambezi & Limpopo Rivers

• Fertile land → farming & cattle

• Controlled trade routes to Sofala

• Traded gold, ivory, spices, fabrics, porcelain

• Leaders taxed traders & received payments

• Abandoned by 1450 (overgrazing, soil depletion, deforestation)

• Great Enclosure: 36 ft high walls, defensive & impressive

• Archaeologists estimate 400 years to build

Aksum/Ethiopia

• Located on Red Sea coast

• Connected to Indian Ocean & Silk Road trade

• Participated in trade networks from 3rd century

• Capital moved to Roha in 600s after Muslim control closed Red Sea

• Stelae: towers for deceased kings

• Christianity introduced by King Ezana

• Built churches & underground churches (King Lalibela)

• Ark of the Covenant housed in St. Mary’s Church

• Maintained independence during Age of Imperialism

Indian Ocean Trade Routes (general)

• Connected East Africa, Arabia, India, China

• Goods traded: gold, ivory, cloth, spices, porcelain

• East African city-states exported raw materials, imported luxury goods

• Used dhows & monsoon winds

  • Northeast monsoon → India/Arabia to Africa

  • Southwest monsoon → Africa back to India

• Islam spread through trade

Trans-Saharan Trade Routes (general)

• Connected West Africa to North Africa & Mediterranean

• Main goods: gold, salt, slaves

• African participants: Ghana, Mali, Songhai

• Salt mined in Taghaza & Taoudenni

• Gold mined in Bambuk, Bure, Akan fields

• Traders used camel caravans for faster, safer travel

• Islam spread along trade routes

Islam in Africa

• Spread to Africa in 11th century via Arab traders

• Built mosques in cities and towns

• Muslim sultans often governed cities

• Promoted trade, learning, and law (Sharia)

• Mixed with local African traditions in some regions

Traditional African Religions: Orishas and Tricksters

• Belief in Orishas (hundreds, about 12 main)

• Olorun created the world (like Zeus)

• Orishas gave powers through Orunmila

• Animals often appear in stories

• Trickster figures teach lessons and explain human behavior

Ethiopian Eastern Orthodoxy

• King Ezana converted to Christianity

• Churches often built partly underground for protection

• Linked Ethiopia to Christendom and trade

• King Lalibela built underground churches as “New Jerusalem”

• Held Ark of the Covenant in Saint Mary’s Church

Epic of Sundiata

• Story of Sundiata Keita, founder of Mali empire

• Born crippled, grew strong with magic and virtues

• Defeated Susu king Sumanguru

• Teaches humility, strength, courage, wisdom

• Preserves history and culture through storytelling

Griots

• Professional storytellers in West Africa

• Passed down history, laws, and genealogy orally

• Help preserve culture and memory of kings

• Considered leaders in society due to knowledge

Oral Tradtion

• History passed down orally, not written

• Includes stories, songs, and proverbs

• Preserves culture, laws, and traditions

• Works with griots to maintain knowledge

Swahili

• Language and culture from Bantu + Arabic blending

• Developed along East African coast

• Used for trade, communication, and record-keeping

• Reflected Islamic and African traditions

Timbuktu

• City in Mali, major center of learning

• Libraries with scholars and books

• Traded gold, salt, and books

• One of the greatest medieval cities for scholarship

Benin Bronzes

• Plaques and sculptures showing oba (king)

• Made by craftsmen to honor royal lineage

• Used to record history and tell stories

• Famous for detailed, idealized art

• Symbols:

  • Mudfish – represents the oba’s connection to both the human and spiritual world

  • Coral beads – shows royal wealth and status

  • Leopards – symbolize power and strength of the king

Iron Technology

• Developed by Bantu peoples

• Used for weapons and agricultural tools

• Gave societies an advanced lifestyle

• Helped defend against enemies and increase farming efficiency

Portuguese

• Arrived in West and East Africa in the late 1400s

• Sailed in search of sea route to India and profitable trade

• Conquered city-states like Sofala, Kilwa, and Mombasa using heavy ship guns

• Became mercenaries in African politics

• Wanted gold, ivory, and other luxury goods

• Initiated European involvement in African trade and slave networks

Monsoon Winds

• Seasonal winds in the Indian Ocean

• Northeast winds (Nov–Mar) blew from India, Persia, Arabia → Africa

• Southwest winds (Apr–Oct) blew from Africa → India

• Allowed efficient, predictable travel for trade

• Enabled Swahili city-states and Indian Ocean trade

Gold-salt trade

• Major trade in West Africa

• Gold came from Mali, Ghana, Songhai

• Salt came from Taghaza and Taoudenni

• Traded across Trans-Saharan Trade Routes

• Helped empires become wealthy and politically powerful

• Traded for other goods, Islam spread through trade

Camel Caravans

• Used for Trans-Saharan trade

• Began around 3rd century CE

• Camels could carry heavy loads, travel long distances, need little water

• Transported gold, salt, slaves, and other goods

• Made Sahara trade faster, safer, more efficient

Bantu migration

• Happened between 2000 BCE – 1000 CE

• Bantu people moved south and east across Africa

• Spread agriculture, iron tools, and language

• Led to population growth and cultural unification

• Influenced Swahili culture along the East African coast

Timbuktu

• Major learning and trade center in Mali Empire

• Known for libraries, scholars, and universities

• Traded books, gold, salt, and other goods

• Attracted scholars from North Africa and the Islamic world

• Symbol of wealth, knowledge, and cultural exchange