Civilizations of Africa

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Civilizations of Africa

• Ghana, Mali, Songhai

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I. Empire of Ghana

• 1. 1st W. African Empire
• a. 300-1200 AD
• -Iron workers
• -Ruled by 44 Kings

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2. Facts about Ghana
www.ghana.co.uk/history/history/ancient_ghana.htm

• a. Wealth from gold, ivory
• slaves
• -trade with Muslims for
• salt copper
• -to keep food fresh
• b. Capital Kumbi
• c. Strong Kings
• -strong army / iron
• weapons
• d. 1076 AD Ghana conquered
• -Almoravids
• -N. African Berber
  
• -Caused collapse of
• Ghanas Empire

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II. Riches of Mali

• 1. Sundiata (1235 AD)
• a. Control Niger River
• b. Formed Mali Empire
• 2. People of Mali enjoyed
• a. Gold, ivory, cotton
• livestock
• 3. CapitalTimbuktu
• a. men women
• -equal status
• 4. Mansa Munsa
• a. Malis greatest King
• -when he died
• -Songhai took over

www.geocities.com/.../9912/ancientmali.html
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III. The Songhai Empire
www.answers.com/topic/songhai-empire

• 1. Largest African Empire
• a. Atlantic to Lake Chad
• b. Prosperous towns
• -crafts, business, law
• hospitals, religion
• 2. Sunni Ali
• a. King who increased
• territory
• -controlled Timbuktu
• 4. Askia Muhammad
• a. Songhais greatest King
• -fair taxes, schools,
• Islam to W. Africa,
• Timbuktu became
• Athens of Africa