West African Kingdoms
Helen Rivas
How did the Western Kingdoms become so powerful?
Trade is the real reason for the expansion and rise of the Three West African kingdoms of Ghana, Mali, and Songhai, and for this purpose they are referred to as the trading states, or trade kingdoms. They were able to trade with parts of Africa, Europe, and Asia. In almost a millennium they prospered as an economic, political, cultural, and religious center.
Ancient Kingdoms of West Africa
Ghana Empire
Mali Empire
After Ghana declined, the Kingdom of Mali rose. The founder of Mali, Sundiata Keita, organized Mande chief to fight the Soso Kingdom, Sundiata won and the Mali Empire Began. Mali controlled all of the salt and gold trade. They traded gold, kola nuts, and slaves for cloth, copper, metal goods, and salt. Trade routes would go from Nigeria, Senegal, and through The Sahara Desert, and to places in North Africa like Egypt, Morocco, Algeria, and Tunisha. The government of Mali was led by the emperor Mansa, The empire was then divided into provinces that were each led by a governor called a ferba. The religion of Islam played an important part in the government and many administrators were Muslim scribes. The Empire of Mali was located in western Africa. It grew up along the Niger River and spread across the city of Gao to the Atlantic Ocean. It's northern border was just south of the Sahara Desert. The religion of Islam was an important part of the Mali Empire. Even though the kings, or Mansa, had converted to Islam, they did not force their subjects to convert. Many people practiced a version of Islam that combined Islamic beliefs with local traditions.
Songhai Empire
The Songhai Empire first came into power under the leadership of Sunni Ali, who was the prince of Songhai. He escaped to to the city of Gao and took over the city. From the city of Gao he established the Songhai Empire and began to conquer nerby regions including important trading cities of Timbuktu and Djenne. Slave trade became an important part of the Songhai Empire. slaves were used to transport goods across the Sahara Desert to Morocco and the Middle East. slaves were also sold to Europeans and the Americans. The Songhai Empire was divided into five provinces each led by a governor. Under Askia Muhammad, all the governors, judges, and town chiefs were Muslims. The emperor had total power, but he also had ministers who ran different aspects of the empire for him. The Songhai Empire was located in the Western Africa south of the Sahara Desert along the Niger River. Songhai people practiced both Islam and traditional spiritual beliefs, The kings were Muslims. Songhai society was patrilineal and a hierarchical society.