The Empire Of Ghanap2

The Empire of Ghana Enduring Understandings: ►Natural Resources and geographic features contribute to success in trade ►Trade results in the blending of cultural traditions and belief systems

Do Now ► On

a scrap piece of paper answer the following question:

► How

did geography effect the location of the empire of Ghana?

Ghana

The Foundation of the Empire ►

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The empire of Ghana existed between 300 -1267 CE Became wealthy by controlling the natural resources available and taxing traders Ghana was primarily located in the savannah of Africa

Ghana’s Northern Border ► Northern

Ghana bordered Sahara; ideal hub for salt, gold trade -served as trade regulators of salt from north, gold from south - kept gold source secret and limited supply; increased trade value

Ghana’s Southern Border ► Southern

Ghana was border by the Niger river and the rainforests. ► The Rainforests contained gold, the kings of Ghana decided to hide the location of the mines a secret in order to control the value of the gold

Ghana’s Kings ► Ghana

received it’s name from the people who inhabited the land. “Ghana” is what the people called their king. ► The kings were responsible for keeping trade running smoothly and playing an important role in the relgious life of the people. Kings performed the proper prayers and rituals to make the land fertile and to bring prosperity to the people

Empire of Ghana 

Ghana became wealthy for several reasons:  Koumbi Saleh (popl.15,000), Ghana’s capital was located at the crossroads of several major trade routes.  The king controlled the secret of the gold mines, therefore controlled the price of gold  The king taxed traders and collected tributes from conquered peoples

Kingdom to Empire ► Once

the kindgom of Ghana became wealthy, the king took the opportunity to begining to expand it’s borders by conquering lands surrounding the empire. ► By acquiring more lands the kingdom became even more wealthy and as a result grew even further resulting in an empire

Religious and Cultural Changes ►

Berbers, Islam, Arabic greatly influenced empires of West Africa

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Berbers—North Africans who developed trade routes, raised camels - spoke Arabic, practiced Islam, worked with Umayyads in African trade

Berbers ► Berbers

brought writing (Arabic), Islam, scholars to West Africa - some Ghana kings converted to Islam, used Arabic in government

Influence of Islamic Beliefs ►

Some Ghana kings converted to Islam but kept some traditional beliefs in order to keep the support of their subjects -belief that ancestry gave king right to rule was maintained

Influence of Islamic Beliefs ► Muslims

gained power in Ghana government, advised kings ► Ghana 's upper class accepted Islam, learned Arabic, read Qur'an ► Islamic ethics, or beliefs, influenced the law and culture in Ghana

Ghana Under Attack Despite Islam’s influence Ghana declined ► Almoravids —North African Muslims who came to power in 11th century -Almoravids were camel herders who envied Ghana 's wealth -wanted Muslims to follow their interpretation of Islam ► Almoravids attacked Ghana, weakened trade network ► Ghana crumbled; Almoravids seized capital in 1076 ►