Three important West African empires were Ghana, Mali, and Songhai. Ghana was the first empire, located along the Niger River valley. Traders brought salt and gold, which helped the empire grow wealthy. Later, Mali rose as the dominant empire under Sundiata and Mansa Musa. The capital was Niani and the major city was Timbuktu, a center for trade, Islam, and education. When Mali declined, Songhai took over as the last major West African empire, ruling from Gao along the Niger River.

1. Kingdoms in Ancient West Africa http://mapsof.net/africa/static-maps/jpg/africa-satellite-image

2. http://mapsof.net/africa/static-maps/jpg/africa-satellite-image

3. Desert Savannah Desert http://mapsof.net/africa/static-maps/jpg/africa-satellite-image

4. Rivers Oceans Deserts Mountains Lakes Nile River Red Sea Sahara Desert Atlas Mountains Lake Victoria Zambezi River Mediterranean Sea Kalahari Desert Mount Kilimanjaro Lake Nyasa Zaire River Indian Ocean Nubian Desert Lake Tanganyika Niger River Atlantic Ocean Persian Gulf

5. Mediterranean Sea Persian Gulf Red Sea Atlantic Ocean Indian Ocean RiversOceansDeserts Mountains Lakes Nile RiverRed Sea Sahara DesertAtlas MountainsLake Victoria Zambezi RiverMediterranean Sea Kalahari Desert Mount Kilimanjaro Lake Nyasa Zaire RiverIndian Ocean Nubian Desert Lake Tanganyika Niger RiverAtlantic Ocean Persian Gulf

6. Niger River Nile River Zaire River Zambezi River RiversOceansDeserts Mountains Lakes Nile RiverRed Sea Sahara DesertAtlas MountainsLake Victoria Zambezi RiverMediterranean Sea Kalahari Desert Mount Kilimanjaro Lake Nyasa Zaire RiverIndian Ocean Nubian Desert Lake Tanganyika Niger RiverAtlantic Ocean Persian Gulf

7. Atlas Mts. Sahara Desert Nubian Desert Mt. Kilimanjaro Kalahari Desert RiversOceansDeserts Mountains Lakes Nile RiverRed Sea Sahara DesertAtlas MountainsLake Victoria Zambezi RiverMediterranean Sea Kalahari Desert Mount Kilimanjaro Lake Nyasa Zaire RiverIndian Ocean Nubian Desert Lake Tanganyika Niger RiverAtlantic Ocean Persian Gulf

8. Lake Victoria Lake Nyasa Lake Tanganyika RiversOceansDeserts Mountains Lakes Nile RiverRed Sea Sahara DesertAtlas MountainsLake Victoria Zambezi RiverMediterranean Sea Kalahari Desert Mount Kilimanjaro Lake Nyasa Zaire RiverIndian Ocean Nubian Desert Lake Tanganyika Niger RiverAtlantic Ocean Persian Gulf

9. Mediterranean Sea Atlas Mts. Persian Gulf Sahara Desert Red Sea Nubian Desert Niger River Nile River Zaire River Lake Victoria Mt. Kilimanjaro Atlantic Ocean Lake Nyasa Indian Ocean Lake Tanganyika Zambezi River Kalahari Desert RiversOceansDeserts Mountains Lakes Nile RiverRed Sea Sahara Desert Atlas MountainsLake Victoria Zambezi RiverMediterranean Sea Kalahari Desert Mount Kilimanjaro Lake Nyasa Zaire RiverIndian Ocean Nubian Desert Lake Tanganyika Niger RiverAtlantic Ocean Persian Gulf

10. AFRICA TODAY

11. Kingdoms of West Africa http://mapsof.net/africa/static-maps/jpg/africa-satellite-image

12. There were many empires in West Africa. http://mapsof.net/africa/static-maps/jpg/africa-satellite-image

13. Three important West African empires were Ghana Mali Songhai http://mapsof.net/africa/static-maps/jpg/africa-satellite-image

15. The three empires of West Africa: Ghana http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Ghana_empire_map.png Ghana Empire, 790 -1240

16. The three empires of West Africa: Mali http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:MALI_empire_map.PNG

17. The three empires of West Africa: Songhai http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:SONGHAI_empire_map.PNG

19. http://web.worldbank.org/WBSITE/EXTERNAL The empires of West Africa grew along the Niger River. West African farmers earned money by growing rice and other crops along the Niger River.

20. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:1561_map_of_West_Africa_by_Girolamo_Ruscelli.JPGAn old map of the Niger River

21. West Africans also earned money through trade.West African traders traveled in camel caravans the Sahara desert. Camel caravan in the Sahara Desert.

22. http://web.worldbank.org/WBSITE/EXTERNAL West African traders also used the Niger River for transportation.

23. The Niger River today. People use pirogues to cross the river in places were there are no bridges. http://place2place.blogs.com/photos/uncategorized/2008/01/12/niger_river.jpg

24. Photo of a village on the Niger River.http://www.mulfry.org/MulFry/Mali/images/Niger_River_10.jpg

25. Making mud bricks in front of a warehouse in Mali.http://memory.loc.gov/pnp/ppmsca/09500/09588v.jpg

26. http://memory.loc.gov/pnp/ppmsca/09500/09589v.jpg

27. West African traders earned a lot of money by trading two valuable things: salt and gold

28. West African traders earned a lot of money buy trading two valuable things: Salt was used to preserve food. This helped people survive. Traders brought salt from the northern part of West Africa. People loved gold because it was beautiful. Gold came from the southern part of West Africa around the Niger River.

30. Ghana was the first empire in West Africa. http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/ghan/hd_ghan.htm Ghana Empire, 790 -1240 The capital city of Ghana

31. Ghana was the first empire in West Africa. http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/ghan/hd_ghan.htm Ghana Empire, 790 -1240 Wagadu is the correct name. ‘Ghana’ means king.

32. salt gold http://mapsof.net/africa/static-maps/jpg/africa-satellite-image

33. From Northern African, traders also brought salt silk cotton glass beads horses mirrors and dates.From the West African empire of Ghana, traders brought gold pepper

34. From Northern African, traders also brought salt silk cotton glass beads horses mirrors and dates.From the West African empire of Ghana, traders brought gold pepper andslaves.

35. Commercial agreement.This is an agreement among merchants involved in the sale and transportation of slaves between Timbuktu in Mali and Ghadamas in Libya. Loaned by the Mamma HaidaraCommemorative Library, Timbuktu, Mali (21) Mali http://www.loc.gov/exhibits/mali/images/amm0021rs.jpg

36. slave =

37. slave = a person who works with no pay

38. slavery =

39. slavery = about slaves

41. Some groups kidnapped others to acquire slaves.

42. Most slaves were women.

43. Most slaves did farm work.

45. The Law of Slavery:The author discusses slavery in West Africa during the 1600s. Slavery is based on Islamic law.The author notes that the fundamental and original nature of humanity is that individuals are free. People may be enslaved only under certain very specific rules governed by Islamic law.Ahmad Baba ibn Ahmad ibnUmaribn Muhammad Aqit al-Tumbukti. Miraj al-SuudilanaylMajlub al-Sudan (Ahmad Baba Answers a Moroccan's Questions about Slavery). Loaned by the Mamma Haidara Commemorative Library, Timbuktu, Mali http://www.loc.gov/exhibits/mali/images/amm0006rs.jpg

46. This certificate gives a detailed physical description of a woman granted her freedom by her owner. The follows Islamic law. Certificate of emancipation for female slave.Loaned by the Mamma HaidaraCommemorative Library,Timbuktu, Malihttp://www.loc.gov/exhibits/mali/mali-checklist.html

47. First, the merchants of Ghana traded with the Romans.Later, they traded with North African Muslims.

48. The people of Ghana learned about Islam from North African traders.

49. Traders helped to make Islam popular in North Africa.

50. http://africa.si.edu/collections/rsdadvnNav.asp?BrowseMode=3&offset=0Young Muslim students learned to read the Quran by studying Writing Boards like this one.

51. http://wysinger.homestead.com/mali.html- - - - - Trade Routes

52. The kings of Ghana became rich and powerful because they controlled the business of trade. 1. Traders had to pay taxes to the kings. 2. The kings made it safe for the traders to travel.

53. Religious Leaders v. Religious Leaders Traders v. TradersFighting between groups destroyed the Empire of Ghana in the 1100s.

54. Mali was the second great empire of West Africa. http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/mali/hd_mali.htm

55. Sundiata was a great leader of Mali.

56. http://myafrica.allafrica.com/img/csi/user/000100020576_cd4b19d3d7733e16f2a213699e13a11e/m480x.gif Sundiata was a Mandinka warrior. He ruled Mali beginning around 1210 for 25 years.

57. http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/25/Diffa_Niger_Griot_DSC_0177.jpgGriots are story tellers who pass on history from adults to children.Griots passed on the story of Sundiata.

58. Holt, Rinehart and Winston

59. http://www.colschildrenstheatre.org/2008-09_Season/upcoming08-2.html#pic Griots tell the story of how Sundiata defeated Sumanguru in a great battle. Sumanguru challenging Sundjata in a play performed in Columbus, Ohio. http://www.colschildrenstheatre.org/2008-09_Season/upcoming08-2.html#pic

60. http://www.eastafricanpublishers.com/images/sundiata.gif Mali = ‘where the emperor lives.’

61. Timbuktu was the most important city in Mali. http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/mali/hd_mali.htm

62. Timbuktu was the center for trade.

63. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jews_of_Bilad_el-SudanTimbuktu was the most important city in Mali. It was a center for business, Islam and education.Caravan approaching Timbuktu in 1853 (from Travels and Discoveries in Northern and Central Africa by Prof. Dr. Heinrich Barth, vol. iv, London 1858)

64. http://www.loc.gov/exhibits/mali/images/amm0011rs.jpg A Math Book from TimbuktuUsing charts and examples of problems, the author shows the rules of addition, subtraction,multiplication and division. The text was used extensively by students inTimbuktu and North Africa.Ahmad ibnSulayman al-Rasmuki. Kashf al-Hijabli-Asfiya' al-Ahbab anAjnihatal-RighabfiMarifat al-Hisab (Explanations of the Problems in Arithmetic with Examples). Loaned by the Mamma Haidara Commemorative Library, Timbuktu, MaliProf. Dr. Heinrich Barth, vol. iv, London 1858

65. Holt, Rinehart and Winston

66. http://www.learnnc.org/lp/media/uploads/2008/07/timbuktu.jpg

67. http://www.dorlingkindersley-uk.co.uk/static/html/features/where_to_go/images/10Oct/07_timbuktu.jpg The Great Mosque of Timbuktu today

68. Jenne was another important city in Mali. http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/mali/hd_mali.htm

69. The Great Mosque of Jenne was built in the 1200s.http://sacredsites.com/shop/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=3_11&products_id=29

70. Http://osualexander.googlepages.com/mansa_musa.jpg/mansa_musa-full;init:.jpgMansa Musa was the grandson of Sundiata. He became the leader of Mali in 1312.

71. http://www.cyberstump.com/civ4/leaderheads/mansamusa.jpgMansa Musa was a Muslim.

72. He was famous for traveling on the hajj, a religious trip that Muslims take to Mecca, in 1324.

73. hajj = pilgrimage = religious journey to Mecca Mecca, Saudi Arabia, today http://www.harcourtschool.com/activity/biographies/musa/mecca.html

74. Mansa Musa’s journey to Mecca was very famous. A Spanish map-maker made this map about Mansa Musa’s haj. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Europe_Mediterranean_Catalan_Atlas.jpeg

75. http://www.danstopicals.com/catalan.htm Mansa Musa journeyed from West Africa to northern Africa, then east to Saudi Arabia. He traveled with thousands of people and gave away a lot of gold. Mansa Musa carrying gold nuggets.

76. http://www.pitt.edu/~natrooms/africa/t4a_files/image007.jpg

77. http://www.chestercomix.com/images/comics/ancient-africa-2.gif

78. http://www.danstopicals.com/catalan.htmWhen Mansa Musa returned to Mali, he brought architects to design mosques, schools and libraries.

79. The leaders that followed after Mansa Musa were weak.There was trouble in Mali. The leaders of Songhai conquered Mali.

80. Songhai was the third great West African empire. Songhai Gao was an important trading city.

81. A scene in Gao today. http://courses.wcupa.edu/jones/his311/archives/helpers/geog-pic.ht

82. Sunni Ali and AskiaMuhammed were leaders of Songhai. AskiaMuhammed built schools and mosques. He was also a good military leader. http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/ab/Askia.jpgThe tomb of AskiaMuhammed in Gao.

83. Holt, Rinehart and Winston Problems in West Africa today:

84. West African Art

85. http://africa.si.edu/collections/rsdadvnNav.asp?BrowseMode=3&offset=5Wool kaasa or blankets, woven by the Fulani in the Niger Bend region, are associated with the market of Mopti in Mali.

86. http://africa.si.edu/collections/rsdadvnNav.asp?BrowseMode=3&offset=0 A face mask from Ghana depicting human countenances with complex coiffures.Masks are worn during Islamic festivals

87. http://africa.si.edu/collections/rsdadvnNav.asp?BrowseMode=3&offset=0Jar Women potters in Mali hand build many different kinds of jars from clay. They add beautiful colors and designs. Some jars are used in special ceremonies or become part of a collection of objects placed in a shrine.

88. http://africa.si.edu/collections/rsdadvnNav.asp?BrowseMode=3&offset=2http://africa.si.edu/collections/rsdadvnNav.asp?BrowseMode=3&offset=4Metal jewelry is very valuable in West African culture.

89. Holt, Rinehart and Winston

90. Holt, Rinehart and Winston

91. Hp;t. Rinehart and WInston

92. Holt, Rinehart and Winston A Lake Chad B Niger River C Gulf of Guinea D Timbuktu E Senegal River F Gambia River F

93. Holt, Rinehart and Winston A Lake Chad B Niger River C Gulf of Guinea D Timbuktu E Senegal River F Gambia River F

94. Holt, Rinehart and Winston A Lake Chad B Niger River C Gulf of Guinea D Timbuktu E Senegal River F Gambia River F

95. Holt, Rinehart and Winston A Lake Chad B Niger River C Gulf of Guinea D Timbuktu E Senegal River F Gambia River F

96. Holt, Rinehart and Winston A Lake Chad B Niger River C Gulf of Guinea D Timbuktu E Senegal River F Gambia River F

97. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:LocationGambia.svg

98. Gambia is a very small West African country.

99. http://static.howstuffworks.com/gif/willow/geography-of-gambia0.gif

100. http://www.dgambia.com/gambia1map.gif

101. http://wikitravel.org/en/Image:TouristCraftStore.jpgA tourist shop in Gambia today.

102. http://www.lonelyplanet.com/the-gambia#photo-26518-7Bamjul, the capital of Gambia

103. http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?grpId=3659174697246774&articleId=281474976968309&nav=GroupspaceThe author Alex Haley with relatives in Juffure, Gambia

104. http://www.mrdowling.com/609ancafr.html "The old griot had talked for nearly two hours up to then . . . 'the oldest of these fours sons, Kunta, went away from his village and he was never seen again' . . . I sat as if I were carved of stone. My blood seemed to have congealed. “ --Alex Haley, Roots: The Saga of an American Family, Dell, 1976. Page 719

105. http://www.mrdowling.com/609ancafr.html “This man whose lifetime had been in this back-country African village had no way in the world to know that he had just echoed what I had heard all through my boyhood years on my grandma's front porch in Henning, Tennessee.” --Alex Haley, Roots: The Saga of an American Family, Dell, 1976. Page 719

106. http://www.britannica.com/blogs/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/roots.jpg

107. http://www.davidjarvisprints.com/AlexHaley.html

108. http://www.davidjarvisprints.com/Roots.html

109. The view through the door of a slave holding pen on Gorée Island, Senegal, which was once a major West African slave trading outpost. Africans captured inland were marched to the coast and held in pens like these, from which they were taken to waiting ships.http://www.vagabondish.com/wp-content/uploads/portal-of-sorrow-goree-island.jpg