Download Sonni Ali vs. Mansa Musa

Kingdoms of West Africa
Trade in the Sahara
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Migration occurs due to the drying out of the Sahara
Migrate to grasslands. Grow crops. Surplus.
Surplus leads to trade. Networks develop. (Remember your
map)
What types of things were traded?
Gold and salt dominate. (Sometimes 1lb for 1 lb!!)
So, as trade develops, cities begin to grow and flourish on
the edge of the Sahara!
Ghana: Land of Gold
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Kingdom of Ghana created by the Soninke people.
Located in the “v” of Senegal and Niger rivers.
Arab traders call this the “land of gold”.
Capital: Kumbi Saleh. Where the king resides.
King is a godlike figure (much like a pharaoh)
Many merchants live here due to the lure of gold.
Influence of Islam
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Muslim traders and merchants bring their faith with them.
Ideas of government, economics, language, coins
Most Soninke people follow their own customs
Muslims called Almoravids overwhelm the area.
However, most of the Kingdom of Ghana is taken over by
the Kingdom of Mali.
Sonni Ali (2) vs. Mansa Musa(1)
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Sonni Ali (Songhai)
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Soldier king
Built largest state in West
Africa, following the fall of
Mali
Leader of Songhai Empire
Did not adopt Islam,
following traditional beliefs
Expanded territory of
empire/improved government
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Mansa Musa (Mali)
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Ruler of Mali
Worked to ensure peace and
order
Muslim
System of Justice based on
Quran
Expanded territory of
empire/improved government
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348
Askia Muhammad
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Followed Sonni Ali as leader of Mali in 1492
Set up a Muslim dynasty
Expanded Songhai territory
Improved the government
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Set up bureaucracy with different departments
(farming, military, and treasury…)
Each was supervised by government officials
Askia Muhammad vs. Mansa Musa
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Both made pilgrimage to Mecca
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Led to stronger ties with the Muslim world
Both became centers for Islamic education
Civil War in the Songhai Dynasty
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Disputes over succession led to frequent
changes in leadership (similar to Mali)
Eventually led to civil war
Morocco invaded from the north to gain
control of the Songhai gold and salt mines
Following invasion Songhai never recovered
Benin and the Hausa: See pages 350-51.
The Bronze of Benin