The Great Empires Of Ghana, Mali, And Songhay Empire

Africa is a continent rich in history. Africa was home to many great civilizations that laid foundations for the prosperity of Africa while providing a model that later civilizations across the world would follow. The Ghana, Mali, and Songhay Empires all covered vast territories and were rich in resources for trading. The West African civilizations were far more advanced that other societies across the world at this time and showed the first emergence of truly efficient trade across sub-Saharan Africa. Each one had great kings who ruled their empires in the most efficient ways and brought about advances in sciences, architecture, education, and artistry.

The empire of Ghana was founded in 830 CE and lasted until 1235 CE. Ghana originated in

what is now Western Mali and Arkadia. The Ghana Empire extended across a large territory due to the peaceful alliances they were able to establish with their neighboring city states. Like many civilizations of its time it was an agricultural empire which relied heavily on trade. Some of Ghana’s most valuable trading assets were gold, copper, salt and iron. Historians have only been able to gather information regarding the commercial aspect of Ghana’s trading, but it is known that there was some form of taxation put in place. It is believed that traders were required to pay tax import or export salt. It is assumed that the goods that were imported were items such as: textiles and other materials. The main center of trade for the Ghana Empire was Koumbi Saleh. Gold was also a part of the Ghana Empire, the king held on to gold bars and only allowed citizens to have gold dust. The camel became an essential part for trade in this region because of their durability and allowed for products and goods to be transported much more efficiently across the Sahara. The empire was able to sustain its prosperity due to its efficient and diverse economy. There is not much information on the political structure of the Ghana Empire. It is known that the empire was ruled by a king who had officials some of which were his sons and others were wealthy men of the empire. As great as the Ghana Empire was it eventually fell like all great empires. It is widely believed that the Muslim Almoravid’s invasion in 1076 led to the eventual fall in 1077. Once they took over they forced people to pay a tax to not practice the Islamic faith within the empire. The Ghana Empire played an integral role in the history of Africa and set a mold for future empires.
The Mali Empire emerged from the falling of the Ghana Empire in 1235 CE in Western Africa.

The Great Sundiata founded this grand empire which became known for its wealthy rulers one of which being Mansa Musa. The Mali Empire covered a large territory of western Africa and had numerous villages within it, and has a major impact on the cultural norms of western Africa and its cultural values extended along the Niger River. The kings of Mali converted to Islam while the citizens of the empire remained their traditional religion. Sundiata was a wise leader in that he befriended all the most powerful people in Western Africa. The driving force behind the success of the Mali Empire was its extensive trade. The empire was able to have three gold mines within its territorial borders. Like made use of taxation the same way the Ghana Empire did and placed a tax on all good that entered into its borders. In the 14th century the Mali Empire was a source of nearly half of the gold in the entire world. Gold was one of the staples in their economy, but only the king could possess any. Citizens were only allowed to have gold dust. Salt was also a major trading commodity for the Mali Empire. Salt was valuable because in the southern part of Africa it was necessary for their diet. So merchants were able to take large quantities of salt to these areas and exchange other good for salt because in their reason salt almost had equivalent value to gold. Mansa Musa is the most famous ruler of the Mali Empire, he made the empire renowned worldwide. In 1324 Mansa Musa went on a famous pilgrimage in which he brought along 70,000 people, twelve tons of gold, and eighty camels. This major pilgrimage left the empire broke and in chaos and it eventually

fell.
The Songhay Empire was the largest Islamic of all time. It emerged in Western Africa in the 15th century. The height of the Songhay Empire also marks the most highly advanced society in Africa. Its eventual fall led to the eventual Atlantic slave trade and the myths of Africans being uncivilized. Its capital the city of Gao had existed for centuries and became the base of power for the Songhay empire. Trade was prevalent throughout the empire they even had standing armies located in many of their villages to monitor merchants. Like other African empires they were dependent upon their gold trade and exercised the use of taxation. The empire also became known for its craftsmanship and artistry. The economy was also relied heavily on what is called a “clan” system. A clan system basically choses what someone will do for their occupation when they come of age. And as things usually go the wealthier the clan you belong the more respectable your occupation will be. The upper classe citizens in the Mali Empire became Muslim while the other citizens followed the religion that had been a part of their culture for generation. Sonni Ali was a great king of the Mali Empire who is famous for establishing a system which placed “governors” in provinces to monitor and enfoce his rules. The empire lasted for a while in success and prosperity until the death of Emperor Askia Daoud and a civil war within the empire eventually led to its downfall.