African Kingdoms and Salt

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Marilynn Griffith
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1 African Kingdoms and Salt 1

2 While it may look like snow, it is not. This precious commodity is salt! 2

3 And you may not believe this but the human body needs salt. 3

4 Salt is needed by the human body to help muscles and nerves to work and to regulate blood pressure. 4

5 If the human body goes for a long period of time without salt, it will die. 5

6 As agriculture developed, salt became more important. Farmers ate less meat than hunters and gatherers. Therefore, they needed more salt. 6

7 Africa was home to many great kingdoms prior to the arrival of the Europeans. 7

8 A series of powerful trading kingdoms emerged in West Africa. 8

9 The West African kingdoms controlled important trade routes that connected North Africa and West Africa. 9

10 North Africa was rich in the salt that West Africa lacked. West Africa was rich in gold. The Trans-Saharan trade led to an exchange of salt for gold. 10

11 Ghana was called the land of gold but it did not have gold. Instead, the trade routes passed through Ghana and the kings of Ghana taxed all entering and exiting the kingdom. 11

12 The kingdom of Ghana emerged as early as 500 A.D. It collapsed in the 11 th century. 12

13 The kings of Ghana used their wealth to build a powerful army and keep the peace within their empire. 13

14 Religious Muslims invaded and destroyed Ghana in the 1100s but another West African kingdom rose to power to protect the valuable Salt for Gold Trade. 14

15 The Big Eight Why is salt essential for human beings? What did West Africa lack? What did North Africa possess? Describe the Trans-Saharan Trade. Which was the first powerful West African kingdom? Why was Ghana called the land of gold if it had no gold? How did Ghana use its wealth? What led to the decline of Ghana? 15

16 The West African Kingdom of Ghana In this lesson, students will be able to define the following terms: The Kingdom of Ghana The Land of Gold Trans-Saharan trade Taxation in Ghana The Decline of Ghana 16

17 A series of powerful trading kingdoms developed in West Africa. 17

18 The Kingdom of Ghana In the grasslands of West Africa, a series of trading kingdoms emerged. The first great kingdom of West Africa was Ghana. Ghana was called the land of gold even though it did not have gold. 18

19 The Kingdom of Ghana did not own gold fields but it did control the trade in gold. 19

20 Trans-Saharan Trade The Kingdom of Ghana controlled the Trans-Saharan trade. This was a trade connecting North Africa to West Africa via the Sahara desert. North African nomads carried salt and other goods across the Sahara in exchange for gold. 20

21 West Africa lacked salt. Humans need salt to live. Due to its importance, salt was exchanged for gold! 21

22 Control of the Trade The Trans-Saharan trade passed through Ghana. Due to its location, the kings of Ghana were able to tax traders entering and exiting Ghana. Therefore, Ghana was able to control the trade. 22

23 Due to location, Ghana controlled the trade. 23

24 Wealth and Power Wealth from trade helped Ghana maintain a powerful army. A powerful army allowed the kings of Ghana to expand the kingdom. The kings of Ghana kept the peace for many years. 24

25 The kings of Ghana kept the peace. This allowed nomads to travel safely and trade to prosper. 25

26 The Decline of Ghana In 1076 A.D., the Almoravids invaded Ghana. The Almoravids were religious Muslims from North Africa. Ghana never fully recovered from this invasion. 26

27 The Kingdom of Ghana emerged as early as 500 A.D. It collapsed in the 11 th century. 27

28 Questions for Reflection: Describe Trans-Saharan trade. Why was the Kingdom of Ghana called the land of gold if it didn t own any gold fields? What were the effects of the Trans- Saharan trade on the kingdom of Ghana? Who were the Almoravids and how did their actions affect the kingdom of Ghana? 28

29 The West African Kingdom of Mali In this lesson, students will be able to define the following terms: Trans-Saharan Trade Mansa Musa Pilgrimage The Five Pillars of Islam 29

30 After the demise of Ghana, the West African Kingdom of Mali emerged as a great trading empire. 30

31 Trans-Saharan Trade The Trans-Saharan trade was a trade across the Sahara desert. This trade connected North Africa and West Africa. North African salt and other goods were exchanged for West African gold. 31

32 The Trans-Saharan trade connected North Africa and West Africa. 32

33 The Kingdom of Mali The rulers of Mali took control of the gold fields. By controlling the gold fields, the rulers of Mali greatly increased the kingdom s revenue. Traders entering and exiting the kingdom were also taxed. 33

34 Mansa Musa was a great king of Mali. 34

35 Mansa Musa The most powerful king of Mali was Mansa Musa. Mansa Musa set up a great center of learning in Timbuktu. He also expanded the empire. 35

36 A great center for learning was established in Timbuktu. 36

37 Conversion to Islam Mansa Musa converted to Islam. He made a pilgrimage to Mecca. Pilgrimage to Mecca is one of the Five Pillars of Islam. During his pilgrimage, Mansa Musa gave away a tremendous amount of gold. 37

38 Mansa Musa was a famous ruler of Mali. He expanded his empire, established a great center for learning, and made a pilgrimage to Mecca. 38

39 The Five Pillars The Five Pillars of Islam: 1. Belief in One God 2. Pray five times a day facing the holy city of Mecca 3. Fasting during Ramadan 4. Charity to the Poor 5. Pilgrimage or holy trip to Mecca 39

40 The Hajj is the pilgrimage to Mecca. A Muslim must visit Mecca, the birthplace of the Prophet, once in his lifetime, if able. 40

41 Mecca is a holy city to Muslims. It is the birthplace of the Prophet Muhammad. 41

42 Questions for Reflection: What was the Trans-Saharan trade and how did it increase cultural diffusion? Who was the most significant ruler of Mali and why was he important? Why did this ruler take a pilgrimage to Mecca? What are the Five Pillars of Islam? 42

43 The West African Kingdom of Songhai In this lesson, students will be able to define the following terms: The Kingdom of Songhai Cultural Diffusion Monotheism Trans-Saharan Trade The Fall of Songhai 43

44 Great trading kingdoms emerged in West Africa. 44

45 The Kingdom of Songhai In 1464, the people of Songhai captured Timbuktu. The people of Songhai seized control of the profitable Trans-Saharan trade. The West African Kingdom of Songhai was the largest of the three trading kingdoms. 45

46 The West African kingdom of Songhai was the largest of the three trading kingdoms. 46

47 Conversion to Islam The rulers of Songhai were Muslims. Many West Africans had converted to Islam. They accepted the Five Pillars of Islam and became monotheists (believers in one God). North Africans were Muslims. Through trade, cultural diffusion or cultural exchanges occurred. 47

48 North African nomads were Muslims. Through trade, Islam entered West Africa. Trade increased cultural diffusion or the exchange of cultural ideas and objects. 48

49 Trans-Saharan Trade Like Ghana and Mali, the kingdom of Songhai controlled the profitable Trans- Saharan trade. The Trans-Saharan trade connected North Africa and West Africa. North African salt was exchanged for West African gold. 49

50 North African nomads exchanged salt for West African gold. 50

51 The Fall of Songhai Eventually, the kingdom of Songhai fell to invading armies from Morocco in The Moroccan armies had guns. The Moroccans had acquired guns from Europeans. 51

52 The Moroccans had acquired guns from Europeans. 52

53 The largest of the trading kingdoms, the kingdom of Songhai, only lasted 100 years. 53

54 Summary Three great West African kingdoms controlled the Trans-Saharan trade routes. While profiting greatly from the trade, the three kingdoms built beautiful cities and great centers of learning. Trade between North Africa and West Africa increased cultural diffusion. 54

55 The Trans-Saharan trade greatly increased cultural diffusion. 55

56 Questions for Reflection: How did the people of Songhai gain control of the Trans-Saharan trade routes? What was the Trans-Saharan trade? Why did the Trans-Saharan trade greatly increase cultural diffusion? How did the introduction of Islam to West Africa affect the cultures of West Africa? Why did the kingdom of Songhai collapse? 56

Many trade routes crossed the savanna through the region farmed by the Soninke people. The Soninke called their leader Ghana, or war chief.

GHANA Many trade routes crossed the savanna through the region farmed by the Soninke people. The Soninke called their leader Ghana, or war chief. By the 700s, Ghana was a kingdom, and its rulers were growing