Global 12.2 Kingdoms of West Africa

Global I Table of Contents


 * The country of Ghana soon emerged in West Africa and became the center of trade across the Sahara.
 * The king of Ghana collected tolls on the merchants that traveled through his city. Eventually, Ghana became known as the "land of gold."
 * After the collapse of Ghana, a new empire, Mali, lead by the shrewd military leader Sundiata, rose to control the trade routes.
 * The most famous king of Mali was Mansa Musa. During his reign, he extended the borders of Mali and tried to establish peace within his empire.
 * Mansa Musa, a practicing Muslim, took a hajj to Mecca. Mansa Musa brought huge amounts of gold with him and spread his riches as he traveled.
 * In addition, to create new trade ties with other Muslim states, he also brought scholars and artists back with him to Mali.
 * The Kingdom of Songhai grew up and took control of West Africa after Mali fell into disarray. Its capital, the city of Gow, established itself of as a center of trade.
 * Under the Songhai, the city of Timbuktu became a center for learning, drawing some of the best Muslim scholars in the world.