notes

Explain how an over dependence on trade in Ghana could lead to their downfall.

The Ghana empire flourished under its trading network as it was a trading monopoly meaning that they were the only seller and their were no close substitutes. However, this over dependence on trade came posed as a threat because when another market emerges, they would no longer have a monopoly over trade and their would be a new sense of competition between the markets. Prior to this, Ghana was able to set their own prices to trade for their gold and salt but now that their is a new competitor, they must set their prices lower which could lead to their downfall. 

Which of the 3 empires studied had the biggest impact on West Africa? Choose ONE and explain. 

The Mali emprie were one of the leading empires and had the biggest impact on West Africa. During this time, Mansa Musa was in his reign and ruled the empire, becoming wealthy through their gold mines and salt that they traded on the trans-Sahran trade routes which made them wealthy. He set out on a religious hajj to Mecca, partially as a way to advertise and gain attention of others of their country’s wealth, as well as to fulfill his religious duty of bringing back scholars to thier empire. These scholars helped with constructing laws that aligned with Islamic values alongside traditional African beliefs and values. Aditionally, during Mansa Musa’s reign, he decided to expand their borders further to the Atlantic Ocean, allowing the empire to trade with other countries and further strengthen poltiical ties. 

Mansa Musa in Cairo

1. What is your impression of Mansa Musa based on Al-Umari’s accounts?

From Al-Umari’s accounts, he describes Mansa Musa as being wealthy and stuck to his guiding principles while being generous to others (he was generous enough to give a sizeable amount of his gold to others; hidden agenda of his religious hajj was to advertise his country’s wealty). His refusal to kiss the ground in front of the sultan of Cairo shows that he has of high pride and respect for his position, and is devoted to his god and not some earthly figure. 

2. Why wouldn’t Mansa Musa speak directly to Abu?

Mansa Musa perfectly understood and could speak the Arabic language, but he likely didn’t speak directly to Abu to maintain his reputation as a ruler of high social status and did not want to lower himself to speak to someone of a lower status of him. 

3. Do you think Mansa Musa would have “flooded Cairo with his benefactions” without meeting the sultan?

Yes, I believe Mansa Musa would’ve flooded Cairo with his benefactions because a part of his religious pilgrimedge was to advertise and gain attention from others of his own wealth and power through lavish goods, so by making generous donations to the people of Cairo he could formalize his presence in Cairo and earn greater respect and recognition from the people. Mansa Musa did not have an intention of bringing back his wealth to Ghana as well. 

4. What do you think the sultan was thinking after Mansa Musa's action of “flooding his benefactions”?

The sultan, after receiving the substantial amount of gold from Mansa Musa was likely astonished by the sheer amount of gold and wealth he possessed and distributed. This display of lavish goods and gifts would’ve underscored Mansa Musa’s wealth and he would’ve thought of him as a powerful ruler at the time. 

Because of the sheer amount of gold that Mansa Musa possessed, the sultan may have likely wanted to strengthen political ties. By creating alliances with him, it could potentially benefit their country in the future in regards to trade and political connections. 

5. What evidence supports the idea of Mansa Musa leaving a lasting impression on the people?

On Mansa Musa’s pilgrimage to Mecca, he flooded Cairo with his benefactions, which to the people would’ve left a lasting impression because he allowed the Cairess to make incalculable profits out of the generous donations in trade and the economy. Not only did Mansa Musa leave an incalculable sum of gold in Cairo, but he allowed the Cairess to exchange gold until it depressed its own value. The people were eager to talk about him ever 12 years after he had left Cairo, which shows how he had created a lasting impression for the people, and for the economy. 

West Africa Q’s

Ghana

1. What is thought to have started the drought in the Ghana empire?

The people of Ghana have a belief that a snake called Bida, would demand an annual sacrifice in order to be pleased. Every year, a virgin was offered to Bida, until one particular year, the finance of the sacrifical victim was not pleased, and wanted to save the love of his life. He did so by killing the snake (Bida), which very much angered it, and decided to take revenge on the region by bringing a terrible drought that would lead to the decline of the empire. 

2. List the reasons as to why the Ghana empire fell into its decline

1. The king lost his trading monopoly

Initially, all trade in Ghana was conducted at a single location which allowed Ghana to control their prices for the items they were to trade for. However, another market emerges where a newfound sense of competition comes to light which weakened the empire’s dominance over trade as they heavily relied on it as their source of income. 

2. Drought

At the same time, drought was beginning to have a long-term impact on the land and its ability to sustain cattle (ensuring they have enough food) and cultivate the animals became a challenge. 

3. Segregation of the Islamic community

The Ghana kings made sure that they kept a certain distance from themselves and the Islamic community. Islamic scholars could’ve brought knowledge in mathematics, astronomy, medicine etc. but by keeping them away in segregated locations, they missed out on valuable advancements that could’ve strengthened the empire. 

4. Loss of control over gold trade

In the 11th and 12th century, new gold fields began to be mined at Bure which was out of the commercial reach of Ghana. They used to be a significant source of gold for the empire, but now that they opened up new trade routes up further east it was no longer possible. 

5. Under pressure of attack

The ghana empire was under pressure of attack from the Almoravid muslisms who attacked and weakened the empire. 

6. Rise of the mali empire

As the Ghana empire weakened, the Mali empire emerged under Sunidata Keita who eventually took over the empire. 

Mali

1. What city was located between the important crossroads of the north and south trade?

The city of Jenne-Jeno was considred to be a vital crossroad in the north-south trade. 

2. What does Mansa translate to?

“Mansa” translates to Madinke clans ruler

3. Who was Abubakar and what was his ambition as a Mali ruler? Was he successful?

He was one of the three Mali rulers who ruled and had an ambition of crossing the Atlantic Ocean, wanting to uncover what existed beyond his own territory. He equipped 200 ships filled with men and the same number equipped with gold, water, and provisions which were enough to last them for years and was not successful. 

*Cowrie shells (natural resource) were established as a form of currency for trading and taxation purposes.

4. Looking at the caption regarding Mali and Ghana, how do the two compare regarding internationalism?

• Both empires traded gold, which was a key product that connected them to other regions.
  
  

• Mali had broader trade routes, reaching farther beyond West Africa, which allowed access to a wider variety of goods and more foreign contacts.
  
  

• Ghana was more limited in trade due to a lack of access to major waterways, making it less connected to distant regions.
  
  

• Mali had access to rivers, such as the Niger River, which helped with transportation, trade, and communication.
  
  

• Mansa Musa’s pilgrimage to Mecca increased Mali’s international presence by showcasing its wealth and power.
  
  

• Mansa Musa brought back Islamic scholars and architects, which helped spread Islamic knowledge and culture in Mali, deepening international ties.
  
  

Abu Bahkar wanted to go beyond his territory and go off on this journey to find out more of the Atlantic ocean.

-Follow-up: why do you think that it was this way?

Which Mali city broke away from the kingdom which led to the beginnings of a new empire?

The Gao would rebel against the empire which would lead to the beginnings of the new empire. 

Songhay

Explain how the government of Songhay was different from that of Mali.

Unlike the Mali empire which was highly centralized under the authority of the Mansa, the government relied on more of a bureaucracy. Askia Muhammad I appointed governors, judges and military commanders to oversee the entire empire. 

Mali had the emperor and the 12 kings around him, which the. Songhay would remove all the kings and have 3 jurists who would rule the empire, the government relying more a of a centralized system. 

What were the factors which led to the downfall of Songhay?

In the late 16th century, Songhay slid into civil war, similar to the tragic fates of the previous empires in their region. The wealth and power they used to posses would soon wear off by environmental change which caused droughts and diseases but it is believed that Songhay was able to pull through. What is believed to be what led to their ultimate downfall was the determination the Moroccans had to control the Sub-Saharan gold trade. 

In 1591, Songhay was invaded by the Morrocan army who were able to defeat them by the superior fire power of the Moroccan army. 

Somebody who had their eyes on the gold mine and sees that the empire of Songhay have been struggling would decide to take this opportunity to attack the empire with their superior fire power. 

→ relates to the Inca empire with Huascar and Atahualpa fighting to