Notes on African Civilizations - Ghana, Mali, and Songhai

The Civilizations of Africa

Introduction

• After the Egyptian civilization, other major civilizations developed south of the Sahara.
• The earliest ones in eastern Africa emerged 700 years before the Roman Empire.
• Later, powerful civilizations arose in western Africa.
• Written records are scarce; knowledge mainly comes from European and Middle Eastern travelers and traders.

Ghana, Mali, and Songhai

• Between A.D. 300 and 1500, three large empires arose in western Africa.
• They actively traded with the Romans and later with the Muslims.
• The wealth of these empires impressed northern traders.

The Empire of Ghana

• The first western African empire.
• As early as 300, they had mastered ironworking.
• According to legends, ruled by 44 kings.
• Lasted until about 1200, with greatest power from the 8th to 11th centuries.
• Wealth from gold.
• Rulers controlled the gold supply from nearby mines.
• Ghanian traders exchanged gold, ivory, and slaves for salt and copper from Muslim traders.
  • Salt was used to preserve food, improve taste, and maintain bodily health, especially in warm climates.
• Muslim traders carried gold, jewelry, and leather goods to Baghdad and other Islamic cities.
• Ghanians received cloth and tools in return.
• Kings were very rich:
  • Personal guards armed with gold swords.
  • Horses covered with blankets made of gold cloth.
• Kumbi was the capital.
• The king ruled through a strong centralized government, aided by nobles.
• Backed by a large, powerful army with iron weapons.
• In the mid-11th century, North African Berber warriors, the Almoravids, conquered Ghana and most of western Africa.
• Under Almoravid rule, many in the royal family became Muslims.
• The Almoravids destroyed Kumbi in 1076, weakening the kings.
• Eventually, the Ghana Empire broke up and was absorbed by a neighboring kingdom.

The Riches of Mali

• In 1235, Sundiata, a Mandingo soldier-hero, conquered areas along the Niger River.
• The Mandingo people formed the empire of Mali.
• Some land had been part of Ghana.
• The area included gold mines, making Mali prosperous and famous.
  • Before the discovery of America, much of Europe's gold came from Mali.
• Ivory, cotton, and cattle also contributed to Mali's wealth.
• By the beginning of the 14th century, Mali had grown into an empire.
• Travelers to Mali and its capital, Timbuktu (Tombouctou), noted:
  • Many commercial activities.
  • Law and order providing security.
• Some visiting Muslims disapproved of the freedom of Mali women.
  • Mali women actively participated in social and cultural life, unlike women in other Muslim lands.
• After the death of Mansa Musa, Mali's greatest king, Mali's power declined.
• The Songhai Empire conquered Mali.

The Songhai Empire

• Songhai grew into the most powerful empire of western Africa.
• At its peak, it extended eastward from the Atlantic Ocean to near Lake Chad.
• Wealth came from the gold trade.
• Commercial towns emerged with craftworkers, business people, judges, doctors, and religious leaders.

Mansa Musa

• The greatest king of Mali.
• Ruled from 1312 to 1337.
• Grandson of King Sundiata
• Devoted Muslim, spread Islam throughout the empire.
• In 1324, made a pilgrimage to Mecca with 60,000 people.
  • The caravan carried 24,000 pounds of gold loaded on 80 camels.
  • 500 servants each carried about six pounds of gold.
• Displayed immense wealth.
• An Arab historian noted the caravan's glittering goods