Outline Chapter 13

Ghana: A West African Trading Empire I. Ghana’s Government and Military A. The King and His Government- The king held most of the power in Ghana 1. King’s role- The king was head of the army, had last say in matters of justice, and was head of religious services. 2. King’s wealth-Controlled supply of gold in country and taxed the movement of gold. 3. King’s court- Conducted business in the court daily with shows of respect from his people. 4. Officials of the kingdom- Governed the kingdom, in charge of sectors of the government and society. Governors would be appointed to rule areas of Ghana. 5. Matrilineal- Inheritance of the kingdom when through the woman’s bloodline, the son of the kings sister took over as king when the king died. B. Ghana’s Military- Included multiple forces: regular army, reserve army, and the elite soldiers. 1. Regular army- Several thousand career soldiers i. Role- kept borders secure, put down minor revolts, and maintained peace and order. ii. Dress- Knee length cotton pants, sleeveless tunics, sandals, and headdresses decorated with feathers to indicate rank. iii. Weapons- Uses spears, daggers, swords, battle clubs, and bows and arrows. 2. Reserve army- Military training required for all men in the empire so could be called up to fight if necessary. Men could be called in from troops of the governors and additional reserve forces. 3. Elite soldiers- Selected for courage, honesty, and intelligence served as bodyguards, escorts, and military advisors. II. Trade: The Source of Ghana’s Wealth A. Two groups that wanted to trade- North Africa and the forests of West Africa 1. From the north brought- Salt, copper, and cowrie shells (shells used as money) 2. Traded for- kola nuts, hides, leather goods, ivory, slaves, and gold from the southern forests. B. The History of Trans-Saharan Trade- Brought gold from southern forests as long as 400-500 BCE 1. Early trade- Travel was very difficult so trade was not as frequent as later. 2. Two factors caused growth of trade- Growth of Islam and the introduction of camels around 300 CE. i. Camels- Well suited for desert travel, could travel several days without water, hairy ears and double row of eyelashes kept out sand. Allowed more frequent trade and established caravan routes. ii. Islam- In seventh century Muslim’s invaded Ghana, wanted to convert West Africans (not people of the book) and hoped to control trade. Ghana turned back the invaders but Muslims settled in West Africa. C. The Journey South- Long difficult journey across Sahara Desert

1. Route south-Went along northwestern border of the Sahara, then crossed the desert, into Ghana and continued south to the Gulf of Guinea and east to present-day Chad. 2. Dangers of trip- Caravans lost their way and some traders died in the desert, during one part of Battuta’s trip slaughtered some of their camels, and drank the water stored in their stomach. D. Ibn Battuta- A Muslim historian and traveler crossed the Sahara with a trade caravan 1. Year- 1352 2. Account of trip- Started in oasis city of Sijilmasa on northern edge of Shara, donkeys carried goods from Europe, Arabia, and Egypt there and then camel caravans took the good south. Stayed in Sijilmasa and waited for rainy season to end, when watering places were full and there was food for animals to eat they started on their journey, walked until afternoon when the sun was high, then waited until the sun went down. III. The Gold-Salt Trade A. Gold- People in North Africa wanted gold from forests of South Ghana B. Salt- People in forests wanted salt from the Sahara C. Wangara: The Secret Source of Gold- Gold has been a symbol of wealth in the world for a long time. 1. Location- Located near forests south of Ghana, no one except the people of Wangara. Miners would die rather than give up location of Wangara. 2. Gold’s use- People in Muslim lands and Italy made coins from the gold to purchase silk and porcelain from China. 3. Location of mines- No one knows the location of the mines to this day. D. Taghaza: A Village Built with Salt- West Africans needed salt 1. Value of salt- Thought of salt as more valuable than gold. Gold was only necessary for trade. i. Reason for salt’s value- Salt was an important part of people’s diet because of lost salt to perspiration. 2. Where West African’s get salt- Obtained from Taghaza in the sahara Desert. 3. How was salt produced? i. Evaporation- water was poured into holes in the salty earth, water drew out the salt and then evaporated in the sun, salt was scooped out and packed into blocks. ii. Mining- Salt deposits found under the earth, it was reached by digging trenches and tunnels, it was dug out in large blocks. 4.Why did Taghaza exist? It had a large deposit of salt under the ground. Without the salt it would never have existed, no crops or vegetation. People were there to mine and sell salt. Houses and the mosque built with salt blocks. E. Ghana’s System of Taxes- Paid taxes on all goods brought through the empire 1. When were goods taxed?- When they came into Ghana and left Ghana 2. Amount of tax- 1/6 of an ounce of gold for each load of salt that came into kingdom, and 1/3 of an ounce for each load that left the kingdom. Also paid for other goods as well.

3. Reason for taxes- Enriched Ghana’s territory, helped king conquer other territories, and protected trade routes. IV. The Exchange of Goods A. Capital City- Kumbi 1. What was sold in markets?- weapons, tools, jewelry, cloth, leather goods, materials from Spain and Morocco, livestock, food, ivory, pearls and slaves. 2. How did people pay? With gold dust 3. Slaves- Came from the Southern border of Ghana, bought and brought across the Sahara and sold to North Africans or Europeans. B. Where did the Wangarans trade? Along a river in the southern forests. 1. How did the trade take place? Silent barter- Traders left goods for Wangarans to check and left, Wangarans would check goods and leave gold dust and leave. If enough traders took gold dust and left the goods, if not left gold dust and left again. Trade would go like this until agreement. i. Why did they trade in this manner? Protected secret of gold mines, and allowed people who did not speak the same language the ability to trade. V. The Decline of Ghana and the Rise of Mali A. Height reached- 1000 CE B. Reasons for downfall- Muslim warriors began to attack and loss of natural resources. 1.War- Muslim warriors took capital city in 1076 CE, king regained power in 1087 but empire had been torn apart. 2. Natural Resources- Too many people put a strain on natural resources. i. Water- Became scarce so farmers could no longer grow crops ii. Trees- Cut down trees for charcoal for iron smelting furnaces. C. Group that came next- 1240, Mandes conquered Kumbi homeland was south of Kumbi closer to the Niger River. Built an empire that reached the Atlantic Ocean, to beyond the Niger River and from the southern forest to the salt and copper mines of the Sahara. Its leaders had accepted Islam and Muslim faith became more influential in West Africa. Alavosus, Laura, et al. History Alive: The Medieval World and Beyond. Palo Alto: TCI, 2005