Focus Question 2:
How were the Ghana and Mali empires founded and governed?
In the 400s a group of nomads, people who never stayed in one spot, named the Berbers were hunters and gatherers, formed a kingdom just south of the Sahara dessert. They named it Ghana. They began to use camels to carry goods across the Sahara desert. From the north was salt, from the west was the resources of gold, ivory, and other goods.
Ghana was eventually controlled by the Soninke, a group of people living in the same region.They built their capital city, Kumbi Saleh, right on the edge of the Sahara. It quickly became one of the most important southern trade center of trade routes. Their kingdom was ruled by the king named Ghana. He held military power and was the supreme judge of the kingdom. Ghana grew very rich, because of the Sahara trade.
As Ghana grew richer the kingdom expanded into an empire, requiring neighboring groups of people to pay tribute or taxes.This increased their wealth. In 1062 C.E the empire came under attack, Bebers calling themselves Aloravids sought to gain control of the Sahran trade routes. and launched a war against Ghana. In 1076 they captured Kumbi Saleh, ending rule of the Ghana and converting many to Islam.
Mali was a new kingdom that appeared around 1235. Sundiata, the leader, came into power. Later, Mansa Musa ruled. He expanded Mali greatly.
Ghana was eventually controlled by the Soninke, a group of people living in the same region.They built their capital city, Kumbi Saleh, right on the edge of the Sahara. It quickly became one of the most important southern trade center of trade routes. Their kingdom was ruled by the king named Ghana. He held military power and was the supreme judge of the kingdom. Ghana grew very rich, because of the Sahara trade.
As Ghana grew richer the kingdom expanded into an empire, requiring neighboring groups of people to pay tribute or taxes.This increased their wealth. In 1062 C.E the empire came under attack, Bebers calling themselves Aloravids sought to gain control of the Sahran trade routes. and launched a war against Ghana. In 1076 they captured Kumbi Saleh, ending rule of the Ghana and converting many to Islam.
Mali was a new kingdom that appeared around 1235. Sundiata, the leader, came into power. Later, Mansa Musa ruled. He expanded Mali greatly.