Ghana Empire: Geography, Economics, and Government

Gold was the main product marketed by the Ghana Empire throughout the world.

The capital of the Ghana Empire was located in Koumbi Saleh.

The king of Ghana maintained order and protected his people with a large army of 200,000 warriors.

Tunka Manin was the king known for his luxurious court decorated with gold.

The Ghana Empire was located in West Africa.

The Ghana Empire lay between the Senegal and Niger rivers.

The Soninke people established the Ghana Empire to protect themselves from nomadic traders who wanted to steal their land and water.

The discovery of iron enabled the people of Ghana to make powerful agricultural tools and weapons.

The traders who came to Ghana were Berbers or North African Muslim traders who used camels to transport goods across the desert.

Salt and gold were the two resources that were the subject of intense trade in Ghana.

Salt was necessary for survival, used to preserve food, and was sometimes used as money in the trade with Ghana.

Ghana became rich through trade by collecting taxes from the merchants who passed through and by taxing neighboring tribes with the promise of protection.

The initial religious belief of the people of Ghana was animism, the belief that plants, objects, and natural phenomena could have a soul.

Ancestor worship was the practice of seeking guidance from revered deceased relatives.

Islam influenced part of the Ghana Empire and North Africa over time.

Besides gold and salt, merchants carried copper, silver, cloth, and spices.

Sundiata was the young man who overthrew the weakened emperor of Ghana.

Sundiata was also known as the hero.

Mansa was the title given to the ruler of the Mali Empire.

The Mali Empire grew along the Niger River, allowing for a successful agricultural empire and control of trade.

At its peak, the Empire of Mali was almost twice the size of Texas.

After conquering Ghana and expanding the empire, Sundiata took control of all the gold mines.

The king introduced beans, onions, rice, and cotton for agriculture.

Comfortable and light clothing was manufactured from the introduced cotton crop.

Under the king's control, the city of Niani was known for being a shopping center with a booming economy.

The people of Mali hated injustice more than any other town.

The king ensured total security in his country by dividing his empire into different provinces, appointed governors and mayors

The Mansas in Mali were political and religious leaders.

Mansa Musa brought 50,000 men and almost a hundred camels carrying gold on his journey to Cairo, Egypt.

Mansa Musa gave gold to everyone he found along his path to spread news of his generosity.