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The history of West Africa traces back to the days of prominent trade routes consisting of Berbers, or traders, who traveled across in camel caravans. Occasionally worth the price of gold, salt was highly valued and was found in mines at Taghaza, one of the many important trade routes. As trade continued, West African cities grew richer and richer, controlling many territories and their monopoly on gold.
Coda Jones
West Africa
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Transcript

West Africa

Coda Jones

The history of West Africa traces back to the days of prominent trade routes consisting of Berbers, or traders, who traveled across in camel caravans. Occasionally worth the price of gold, salt was highly valued and was found in mines at Taghaza, one of the many important trade routes. As trade continued, West African cities grew richer and richer, controlling many territories and their monopoly on gold.

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Timbuktu

Historically important trade center

Timbuktu became a hub of Muslim scholarship due to its location intersecting a riverine and trans-Saharan trade route. Islam became prominent through the passing of merchants, travelers, and scholars to study at the mosques located in the city. During its time, this city was a significant port. Founded in the 12th century, the Tuareg people were nomads who used the area as a summer camp. In due time, Timbuktu became permanent as a market town. Timbuktu had an abundance of goods such as gold, salt, and kola nuts.

  • Center for Islamic learning
  • Trading center

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Kingdom of Ghana

Empire with economic & political influence

The Kingdom of Ghana flourished because of the presence of numerous river systems allowing for the exchange of people and goods. Because of Ghana's direct tax on salt and gold moved around the empire, the kingdom became extremely wealthy and powerful. However, because of Ghana's climate, agriculture became challenging. Eventually, cities in Ghana were seized by an Almoravid army and Ghana soon failed to control an expanding trade system.

  • Trading center

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Mali

Ruling trading empire

After Ghana's collapse, the Malinke people's Keita clan grew in power (hence where the name "Mali" came from). Originally pagan, the Malinke people converted to the religion of Islam because it had more opportunities economically. The Malinke gained land previously inhabited by Ghana and replaced it as a powerhouse for gold distribution. Around 1307, Mansa Musa became the famous emperor of Mali, embarking on a journey to Mecca 17 years later spending large sums of gold. During his tenure, Mali's political influence increased. The dominant empire fragmented when the Songhai broke away from Mali, and created their city next to Timbuktu. Eventually, Sunni Ali, a Songhai leader, established the Songhai Empire by conquering the Mali Empire.

  • Trading center

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Dahomey

Essential part of the transatlantic slave trade

Founded in the 17th century, Dahomey was considered a smaller kingdom in West Africa. This kingdom proved to still be considered a tributary state despite problematic relations with Oyo, a bigger state east of Dahomey. Prominent in the slave trade, Dahomey traded slaves for the return of firearms. Many of these slaves came from those captured in the conflict between Dahomey and Oyo in the 18th century.

  • Trading center

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Songhai Empire

Last & greatest merchant empires

Contrary to previous empires, the Songhai Empire explored trade between the Arabs and Europeans. Influenced by Mansa Musa's pilgrimage, Muhammad Ture, the new Songhai leader, repeated the some trip allowing the Songhai Empire to create diplomatic relations with Morocco and Egypt. The university in Timbuktu was improved when the emperor brought Muslim scholars to the empire, increasing the Muslim influence present in Songhai.Eventually, the Songhai Empire declined because the Empire suffered control under various of weak rulers. In addition, the Saharan trade routes weakened Songhai rule when Indian Ocean trade became more dominant.

  • Trading center

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