Africa's Advanced Civilization Before European Arrival

Prior to the arrival of European traders, the continent of Africa had developed sophisticated society as it demonstrated its ability to maintain advanced civilizations, withhold three major empires, and gain wealth through trade. Although European traders did advance organized society in Africa, it would be false to say that prior to their arrival Africa was underdeveloped.
Before the arrival of European traders, Africa had successful in maintaining complex civilizations. The cities of Timbuktu and Mali demonstrate this with their qualities. A Moroccan traveler journeyed to Timbuktu and described it as a land of “many doctors, judges, priests and other learned men, that are well maintained at the king’s cost. Various manuscripts and written

books are brought here out of Barbarie and sold for any other merchandise.” This quote and excerpt demonstrates that the education level in the city was not only very high but it was used to benefit society. Sophisticated jobs were all filled with professionals which is a indicator of advanced specialization within the society. In addition, books had the highest value out of any merchandise with points towards the education based value-system in the city. Furthermore, Ibn Battuta traveled to the city of Mali and wrote that the people “are seldom unjust unjust, and have a greater abhorrence of injustice than any other people. Their sultan shows no mercy to anyone who is guilty of the least act of it. There is complete security in their country. Neither traveler nor inhabitant in it has anything to fear from robbers.” In the City of Mali, the people take pride in making it a place free of worry for safety. It is clear that punishment comes with any violation of this strict code. In summation, both the city of Mali and Timbuktu have qualities that reflect the achievement in African Civilization before European influence.
On another note, Africa was able to withhold three major and successful empires. Among several centers of advanced civilizations, the West African cities of Ghana, Mali, and Songhai stood apart. The three kingdoms would arise as empires as they controlled much of the salt and gold trade in the continent. Being able to establish empires is a clear sign that European arrival was not the deciding factor in African achievement. These cities were able to establish their power by strategically placing themselves in positions that would give them potential for trade and agriculture. For example, the city of Ghana had a powerful military and provided service for trade. They ensured safe trade for all goods and this security became an intricate part of not just their empire, but many others would depend on their ability to ensure trade. This would lead to wealth, which would lead to further advancement of the empire.
Lastly, many major cities in Africa were able to gain the majority of their wealth through trade.

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

trade.
In the final analysis, the continent of Africa demonstrated major achievement before the influence of European traders through the ability to maintain advanced civilization, create tree major empires, and gain wealth through trade. Although European technology and advanced ideas may have aided the legitimacy of society, Africa was well developed on its own.