Emperors are the foundation and roots of all affluent empires. The Manden Kurufaba Empire, often called the Mali Empire, was located in West Afrika. Which included the modern day countries of Mali, Niger, Senegal, Mauritania, Guinea, and The Gambia. It’s ruling power began around 1235 CE and became one of the richest African Empires in the world. While the Wagadu Empire, often called the Ghana Empire, began around 800 CE (although some legends say 500 CE). The Wagadu Empire took over the gold and salt trade, until being overthrown in 1240 CE. Although both empires were highly influential, the Manden Kurufaba Empire was a much stronger empire than the Wagadu Empire because of their successive hierarchy of emperors, unconfirmed founding emperors, …show more content…
and ultimately conquesting the Wagadu Empire. One way the Manden Kurufaba Empire was a stronger empire was that they had a more successive hierarchy of emperors than the Wagadu Empire. Although the Wagadu Empire was a culturally rich and vast empire, it was also easily invaded into and conquered by the Almoravids in the 11th Century. Meaning, the royal hierarchy in the empire weakened because outside conquers became emperors. The editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica explain the conquering of the Afrikan empire, “Ghana began to decline in the 11th century with the emergence of Muslim Almoravids, a militant confederation of the Sanhaja and Amazigh groups of the Sahara who combined in a holy war to convert their neighbors…” This conveys that the Wagadu Empire’s hierarchy crumbled after the Almoravids invaded and forcefully tried to convert them to the religion of Islam. A Successive hierarchy is a major component of running a vigorous empire because hierarchies determine how powerful an empire really is. On the other hand, the Manden Kurufaba Empire was one of the richest and strongest Empires in Afrika. And in order for the empire to have risen in their greatness, a strong emperor had to lead them. Julianna Tesfu of University of Washington writes, “In 1235 Sundiata Keita, the leader of one of these states, Kangaba, defeated its principal rival, the neighboring kingdom of Susu, and began consolidating power in the region. Sundiata’s conquest in 1235 is considering the founding of the Malian Empire. Under Sundiata’s successors Mali extended its control west to Atlantic…” Sundiata Keita, the founding emperor of the Manden Kurufaba Empire, defeated his rival kingdoms and expanded the Empire to large areas, thus increasing their imperial power. Sundiata started a robust line of emperors carrying the empire’s name as the most dominating empires in Afrika. With Sundiata Keita’s forceful ruling, additionally, he wasn’t a legend or unconfirmed like the Wagadu Empire’s founding emperor, Dinga Cisse.
the Manden Kurufaba Empire’s founding emperor wasn’t unconfirmed or a legend unlike the Wagadu Empire’s founding emperor, Dinga Cisse. Who was based off legends and oral traditions saying the empire was founded in the 500 CE. And much of the world’s history relies on written accounts, some historians might argue that Sisse was fictional and the empire founded around the 6th Century. BBC research describes, “Nobody is sure when Ghana came into being. But some time at the beginning of the first millennium AD, it is thought that a number of clans of the Soninke people, (in modern Senegal) came together under a leader with semi-divine status, called Dinga Cisse.” Although, the Wagadu Empire did eventually develop into a functional empire, it didn’t have much of an efficacious start like the Manden Kurufaba did with Emperor Keita. According Mr.Kash’s history page, “Sundiata, the historical founder of Mali (whose name meant “Hungering Lion”), ruled Mali from 1230 CE to 1255 CE. As a king, he was said to have worn hunter’s garments instead of royal robes. At the time of Sundiata’s rule, the empire of Mali, extended over 1,000 miles from east to west and Mali took control of the gold and salt trade.” This means that the Manden Kurufaba emperor, Sundiata was so powerful that he ruled a major trade and expanded their empire to vast degrees. And those two historical events are significant vessels of building a dominating
empire. As a result of the Wagadu Empire being conquered by outside forces and weakening, the Manden Kurufaba Empire ultimately took over the Wagadu Empire. The Editors of Britannica go into detail, “The Almoravids’ domination of Ghana lasted only a few years, but their activities upset the trade on which the empire depended, and the introduction of their flocks into an arid agricultural terrain initiated a disastrous process of desertification. The subject peoples of the empire began to break away, and in 1203, one of these, the Susu occupied the capital. In 1240 the city was destroyed by the Mande emperor Sundiata, and what was left of the empire of Ghana was incorporated into his new empire of Mali.” Meaning, Sundiata Keita was such a potent ruler that he conquered the inadequate Wagadu Empire. Which lacked the most important components of a successful Empire, a successful emperor. Thus, giving the ability for not one but two, groups of people or empires to attack and destroy them. All in all, the Manden Kurufaba Empire was a much stronger Afrikan Empire than the Wagadu Empire. This is conveyed in the Manden Kurufaba’s bold line of rulers, unconfirmed rulers, and ultimately conquesting the Wagadu Empire with the help of their tenacious emperor. The Wagadu Empire’s rise and fall is conveyed through oral tellings. So, one can argue that history’s Euro-centric bias has relied more written history rather than oral tellings of history. Which excludes cultures that rely on oral traditions to tell accounts of their own history. Meaning accomplishments of ancient Afrikan civilizations are little detailed and not recognized because there is no written evidence. We should appreciate the success of both empires even though, one conquered other because modern society often dismisses these Afrikan Empires
The African empires, kingdoms, and cities had many achievements before the arrival of the Europeans. Some of these achievements had influences many other places in the world. Three major achievements were the trading systems, their military forces and strengths of its people, and the wealth and success.
African society used bodies of water such as the Nile, the Red Sea, and many more to transport goods across the continent and generate profit. For example, the city of “Aksum reached its height between 325-360. Aksum’s location made it an important international trading center.” After analyzing the map of trade routes in Document 1, it is clear Aksum was strategically built to have ties to the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. These two bodies of water give the city the freedom to import and export goods. Additionally, this work of trade did not come without reward. Cities who succeeded in the business became overly wealthy and had surpluses of gold and other riches. A king, Mansa Mansa, who expanded the Mali kingdom to be twice the size of Ghana, was not afraid to show his wealth as he showered other cities in riches out of generosity. In Cairo, Egypt, “there was no person, officer of the court, or holder of any office of the Sultanate who did not receive a sum of gold from him.” This is just one of the many examples of wealth in african cities and empires. What is impressive is the fact that before European trade became an influence, African people had already created a successful and very profitable system of
There was also a Kingdom called Mali that broke off from the Ghana Empire. At this time they had embraced the religion of Islam and had been under the great rule of Mansa Musa. This empire had the job of protecting the caravans or shipments carrying the goods, so that they can trade. They helped towards the function of trade so that both the importer and exporter gained something. In document 3 it explains how their wealth was great because of their trade. The document also talks about the fact that they had exhibited the characteristics of an advanced divination like sufficient food to feed its people, a strong army equipped with advanced weapons and income derived from taxes. Even though the Mali Empire had wealth there was very little corruption if there was with the ruler. He did not go mad with power but he was generous. In document four it states they there was no person who did not receive a sum of gold from him.
The kingdom rose to power and used its resources to become wealthy and prominent. Mali used its central trading location and surplus of valuable goods such as gold, salt, and copper to become the strongest and most powerful trading nation in Africa and Southern Europe. The nation had a strong leader in Mansa Musa who brought order, the Islamic faith, great economics, and an emphasis of scholarship to Mali, all of which were crucial to the country's success. Mali became an Islamic nation which brought a sense of togetherness for the citizens of Mali but gave Mali strong ties with other Islamic Nations. This togetherness helped Mali obtain peace and civility and helped in diplomacy. Mali’s Military also served as valuable asset in its rise to power. The army protected trade routes, helped keep peace and order in the country, expanded its borders and secured tribute from other countries. Mali’s success as a nation can be attributed to many different factors all of which were crucial in the development of the empire. Mali rose to great heights and flourished as nation. Their success should be respected and admired by
Prior to the 19th century, the Europeans traded mainly for African slaves. It turns out they were not immune towards certain diseases and therefore had an increasing risk of becoming sick. For years to come this continued, but not much land was conquered. Eventually, conference between only the Europeans was held to divide up the land appropriately, and the scramble for Africa began. The driving forces behind European imperialism in Africa were expanding empires, helping natives, and natural resources.
“Caravans of Gold”, a video by Basil Davison discovers and highlights numerous assets about gold and its prominent role in Africa. Additionally, the video examines some of the past and influential empires and their achievements. Davison discusses the history of Africa before the arrival of Europeans to demonstrate how Africa was already a well-flourished continent. “Caravans of Gold” also discusses many topics such as the Mali Empire, trading systems, and the use of gold which shows the audience of the video of how Africa was. In the long run, the aim of the video is to give the audience of the video an understanding of how the empires in Africa used its resource of gold to flourish.
Europe, in the late 1800’s, was starting for a land grab in the African continent. Around 1878, most of Africa was unexplored, but by 1914, most of Africa, with the lucky exception of Liberia and Ethiopia, was carved up between European powers. There were countless motivations that spurred the European powers to carve Africa, like economical, political, and socio–cultural, and there were countless attitudes towards this expansion into Africa, some of approval and some of condemnation.
When the Age of Imperialism began in 1875, it effected Africa in many ways. Nowhere was the competition for colonies more intense than in Africa. Europeans went after North and South Africa splitting up the continent. Egypt and Sudan were taken over by Britain to obtain the Suez Canal. Imperialism helped to develop Africa’s economy and turned it into a continent of colonies.
Politics is the science that guides or influencing governmental policies. Politics plays important role in the daily life of everyone’s decision making all over history. The political leaders of Europe viewed the world as a stomping ground they took powers into their hand to take control over unconquered land. They believed that once they take over less advanced places they will be able to get richer by exploiting the uneducated and weaker people. According to an to an article from Africana Age called “The Colonization of Africa” by Ehiedu E. G. Iweriebor, “By 1900 much of Africa had been colonized by seven European powers—Britain, France, Germany, Belgium, Spain, Portugal, and Italy. After the conquest of African decentralized and centralized
The Tuareg people are a historically nomadic ethnic group who have populations throughout Mali, Algeria, Libya, Niger, and Burkina Faso. In the past year the Tuareg’s strides for a state of their own has attracted the notice of the international community, particularly their strides in Mali. This conflict has involved many players from the international community and does not seem to have an end in sight.
Both the glorious empires, the Mali established in 1230 by the founder Sundiata and Mongol founded by Genghis Khan in 1206 contain much more differences than similarities. When the rise of the Mali and Mongol Empires began to arise they had significant effects towards the areas in which they were located. Some similarities include religious tolerance and cultural growth by trade. Some differences include violence methods and religion. Even though both of these superlative empires arose in difference regions they shared some common views as well.
The Kingdom of Mali was an African hub of wealth, trade and education for over 225 years. Mali is an Arab version of the Mandinka word that means, “Where the king dwells”, and was vitally important in spreading trade, education, religion and culture along the Niger River. The rise of Mali into an Empire occurred in the early 13th century, when Sundiata defeated his enemies and won control of the West African gold mines. In 1312 Mansa Musa became ruler of Mali. During his reign which was known as Mali’s, “Golden Age”, he introduced Islamic beliefs to many communities along the Niger and enhanced education after his historic pilgrimage to Mecca. Mali’s rise was attributed to the Trans-Saharan Trade routes leading to and from Western and Eastern Africa. These trade routes contributed to the rise and fall of powerful African Kingdoms for hundreds of years, but for 250 years, Mali was the crown jewel of Africa.
Ghana’s government was a monarchy government with local kings that paid thanks to the Ghana’s king. Moreover, Ghana had a king to rule/control them and they were thanked from local kings. 300 CE. was the beginning of Ghana, this was also when they gained the control of salt and gold! Later on, in 300 CE, they made the discovery of iron. In 610 CE. the Muslims took over Ancient Ghana. Not long after, in 800 CE. Ghana was officially founded, but many stories/documentations say it was founded in 300 CE. Around 200 years later Ghana captured Aoudaghost and was the height of the Ghanaian
... fact become a powerful empire if not for the colonization of other countries? Seeing how Ghana is known as one of the wealthiest countries in its area, perhaps colonization was not this country’s downfall, rather its lack of involvement with healthcare and purification with the water systems. It is believed that almost ¼ of Accra’s (city in Ghana) population of 4 million people do not get adequate water from a tap system, rather these families are disregarded and ignored. The possible empire Ghana could have created was destroyed from the inside out. Their actions of ignoring the health and well-being of their civilians have cost them many deaths including 25 percent of children under 5 die from diarrhea, which by a simple purification system could be expelled immediately. Also not only that but 1.1 million deaths per year are caused by water sanitation problems.
Throughout history, imperialism has led countries to extend their rule over weaker countries and then colonized those countries to expand their own power. Imperialism allows the ruling countries to use the weaker countries for their resources. Colonizing other countries would then lead to growth and a better reputation for the dominating country. There are many examples of imperialism throughout European history. When many European countries “scrambled” for Africa, it seemed as though Africa had no say in anything. During the 19th century, Europe found a way to use Africa for their own growth and power. Using Africa for their resources, the Europeans colonized Africa without a second thought. European imperialism in Africa had a negative impact because of social disarray, cultural loss, and death it caused.