West Africa

West Africa:

Trading Empires There were three big ones in this area: Ghana, Mali, and Songhai (in that order). All traded gold and salt and taxed traders who passed through their land on trade routes through the Sahara.

Trading Empires

There were three big ones in this area: Ghana, Mali, and Songhai (in that order).

All traded gold and salt and taxed traders who passed through their land on trade routes through the Sahara.

Stateless Society There are many stateless societies around here. A stateless society is a people of one lineage or family who trace their descent back to one person. This is different from a stateless nation, which is a people who share the same culture and nationalistic identity. An example is the Igbo.

Stateless Society

There are many stateless societies around here.

A stateless society is a people of one lineage or family who trace their descent back to one person.

This is different from a stateless nation, which is a people who share the same culture and nationalistic identity.

An example is the Igbo.

Economy The economies in this area struggle quite a bit. A big reason is political instability that leads to civil wars. Sierra Leone, for example, while having a lot of diamonds, does not have a developed infrastructure. There was also a UN ban on the sale of Sierra Leone diamonds due to the warring and corrupt governments.

Economy

The economies in this area struggle quite a bit.

A big reason is political instability that leads to civil wars.

Sierra Leone, for example, while having a lot of diamonds, does not have a developed infrastructure.

There was also a UN ban on the sale of Sierra Leone diamonds due to the warring and corrupt governments.

Culture Ashanti

Culture

Ashanti

The Ashanti are known for their intricate kente cloth

The Ashanti are known for their intricate kente cloth

And their stools

And their stools

Some tribes, such as the Igbo, also made masks.

Some tribes, such as the Igbo, also made masks.

The Benin were known for the terra cotta:

The Benin were known for the terra cotta:

And their bronzes

And their bronzes