West African Empires

By: Giana, Austin, Chanelle, and Angelica

The Ghana Empire

HistoryGhana lies between the Niger and Senegal rivers. Before Ghana citizens were farmers, they were called Soninke. After awhile the Soninke’s were threatened by nomadic herders. Because of the threats, the Soninke families grouped together. This was the first sign of the beginning of Ghana.

The people of Ghana had learned how to make their own tools from iron, with this they made tools to help for farming. They also herder cattle for their milk and meat. Because of all of the plentiful food, their population grew. Also because of the iron Ghana had an advantage over other armies; because they only had bone, wood, and stone.

Emperor

Tunka Manin ruled Ghana in the year 1068. Manin made the Empire of Ghana reach its peak. Tunka was the nephew of the last king, who’s name was Ghana Bassi. Manin was successful in expanding the Ghana Empire with their powerful army. Manin was well known for showing off his wealth. He would deck himself off with gold, finery, and other luxurious items.

Trading

Ghana became a powerful state, the reason is because it gained control over the trade routes across Africa. Since they were between the Sahara Desert and the forest, they were in a good position for trading. Since the armies in Ghana slowly grew stronger, they started to take control of the trade from the merchants. As the result Ghana’s rulers became very wealthy. As the trade grew. So did Ghana’s capital, Koumbi Saleh.

Rise of the Empire

Ghana was rich and very powerful, during the 1000’s. Since trade was increasing, so did the empire. The main reason was because Ghana was controlling the gold and salt trade. Ghana’s army became stronger, rulers were wealthier, and they had a strong hold on the trading system.

Ghana’s Decline

The empire Ghana, falls by the mid 1200’s, Ghana had collapsed. There were three reasons why, first was because invasion. Almoravids, a Muslim group, had invaded Ghana. The reason why was because they wanted to convert them to Islam. They were fighting for 14 years, but in the end Almoravids won by destroying Koumbi Saleh.

Second reason why is also because of the Almoravids, they had brought herds of animals with them to Ghana. The animals ate most of the grass, leaving it bare to the desert wind. Because of this it made it useless to farm or herd. So many farmers left to go and find new homes.

The third reason why was because of Internal Rebellion. A few people were rebelling against the empire. Later on they succeeded in taking over the entire empire. But the rebels couldn’t keep order to the empire, so when a neighbor attacked them the Ghana empire fell apart.

Mali

Emperor: Mansa MusaMansa Musa was the ruler of Mali, one of the Muslim king of West Africa. During 1312 through 1337 AD. He was famous for making the pilgrimage to Mecca. Because of his journey, people put their attention to West Africa. Mali reached its height under Musa’s ruling during 1300s. He influenced the Islamic religion to a big part of West Africa. Musa captured Timbuktu, Gao, and Djenne. They had become part of the Mali empire.

Emperor: SundiataSundiata ruled Mali in 1210 through 1260.

Sundiata was the son of Nare Fa Maghan, king of the Mandingo, and Sogolon Conde. Sassouma, Maghan's first wife, thought that Sundiata was a threat to her son Dankaran Touman's. She wanted her son to be the heir to the throne. When Maghan died, Sassouma made her son the successor to the throne. Sundiata was exiled.

During his exile, Sundiata travelled through the kingdoms of the savannah and became a mighty warrior. Meanwhile, Mali was conquered by the Sosso king, Sumaguru. Sundiata moved toward Mali, amassing an army of recruits from the kingdoms he visited during his exile. Finally, he defeated Sumaguru at Kirina.

Finally, he invited the leaders of the twelve kingdoms of the savannah to Kurukan Fuga, where the Great Assembly or Gbara took place. According to legend, "he divided the world." In turn, each ally was proclaimed king of his territory. Sundiata then outlined the Constitution and administrative structures of this union, laying the foundations of the Empire of Mali that stretched from the forests of the south far into the Sahara, north of the great Niger River bend.

Rise of MaliUnder Sundiata, Mali grew into a prosperous kingdom. To keep control, Sundiata took power away from local leaders called mansa. Because of this he gained even more power.

Sundiata had token over salt and gold trade, and improved agriculture in Mali. Mali had good farmlands; they also were introduced to a new crop too, cotton. Mali’s major trading city was Timbuktu.

Decline of MaliMali empire falls in the year 1500. Because some of Mali’s emperors had poor leadership, it had weakened the empire. After Musa had died, his son Maghan took over. But he wasn’t so great as his father. He couldn’t stop raiders, the raiders burnt mosques and schools. Mali never really recovered, weak the empire slowly declined.

A reason also was because the empire was to big to rule. The government had a hard time controlling the empire. Some cities broke away, like Gao became independent in 1400s.

Also invaders weakened the empire even more. Slowly, but surely the empire broke away. Soon after only a small area of Mali had remained.

Songhai

Emperor: Sunni Ali

Sunni Ali became the ruler of Songhai in 1464. Before Sunni Ali ruled over Songhai, the empire was run poorly and was disorganized. Sunni was always enlarging the empire, most of it was Mali. He had conquered Djenne and Timbuktu.

To keep peace in the empire, Sunni practiced both Muslim and local religions. Which made the empire stable and peaceful.

Emperor: Askia the GreatAskia the Great ruled Songhai during 1443 through 1538. He ruled Songhai for 35 years, during that time the cities of Songhai had gained power over the countryside. But before Askia the Great became a ruler, he was a leader for a Muslim rebels.

Rise of Songhai

Songhai had grew richer because of the trans-Saharan trade. They had expanded their empire and gained power. This was mostly because of Sunni Ali, he was always expanding, and strengthening the empire.

After Sunni Ali, Askia the Great improved the learning centers of the Songhai by encouraging scholars to come from other parts of Africa, as well as Europe and Asia, to settle in Timbuktu and Djenne. So Songhai was encouraging learning.

The Decline of SonghaiSonghai falls in 1590, because of Moroccans’ guns and cannons. Songhai was no match, the spears, swords, and bows weren’t able to match up. The Moroccans attacked Gao and Timbuktu, taking over both cities. All of this made it impossible for Songhai to recover. The great West African empires had slowly came to an end.