The Ghana Empire may have been established as early as the 7th century CE. It was succeeded by the Sosso in 1230, the Mali Empire in the 13th century CE, and later by the Songhai and Sokoto Caliphate. There were also a number of forest empires and states in this time period.
What are the longest-lasting empires, governments, or nations?
- The Pandyan Empire (1850 years) This society of Southern India is considered the longest-lasting empire in history.
- Byzantine Empire (1123 years)
- Silla (992 years)
- Ethiopian Empire (837 years)
- Roman Empire (499 years)
- San Marino (415+ years)
- Aboriginal Australian Cultures (50,000 years)
Why did West African trading empires rise and fall? People would start to be wealthy and then a drop in trading or a food loss would strike the kingdom. Ghana was located between the Sahara salt mines and gold mines near the West African coastal rain forests. Ghana became an important crossroads of trade.
Following the conquest of North Africa by Muslim Arabs in the 7th century CE, Islam spread throughout West Africa via merchants, traders, scholars, and missionaries, that is largely through peaceful means whereby African rulers either tolerated the religion or converted to it themselves.
West African Empires gained power by trading, war, controlling important goods or resources.
Here are ten inventions that originated from Africa and have changed the entire course of human history.
- Math. Contrary to popular belief, civilizations existed before Europeans 'discovered' them *gasp*.
- Art. Instagram.
- Writing. ancient_hieroglyphics.
- Language. ellenjovin.
- Medicine.
- Mining and Metallurgy.
- Architecture.
- Phones.
How did these first kingdoms develop? The rulers of some trading cities in West Africa became wealthy by collecting taxes from the goods that were bought and sold. With their wealth, they could afford to raise large armies. These armies could conquer other trading areas nearby.
West Africa is famous for its cultural diversity and rich history. Unique mud architecture and landscapes dominate Niger and Mali's major sights. Slave forts on Goree Island and along Ghana's coast attract many visitors.
Islam also spread into West Africa through the activities of Muslim clerics, marabouts and scholars or mallams.
The name Africa came into Western use through the Romans, who used the name Africa terra — "land of the Afri" (plural, or "Afer" singular) — for the northern part of the continent, as the province of Africa with its capital Carthage, corresponding to modern-day Tunisia.
To the north lay the vast Sahara, the source of much of the ?salt?. People wanted gold for its beauty, but they needed salt in their diets to survive. Salt, which could be used to preserve food, also made bland food tasty. These qualities made salt very valuable.
15 greatest African warriors
- Hatshepsut. Even though many Egyptian pharaohs have faded into oblivion over thousands of years since their rule, one Hatshepsut has maintained her mark to date.
- Yaa Asantewaa.
- Almamy Suluku.
- Hannibal.
- Ezana of Axum.
- Behanzin Hossu Bowelle.
- Mansa Kankan Musa.
- Cetshwayo Kampande.
In early 1959, French Sudan (which changed its name to the Sudanese Republic) and Senegal united to become the Mali Federation. The Mali Federation gained independence from France on 20 June 1960.
The great wealth of Mali came from gold and salt mines. The capital city of the empire was Niani. The Mali Empire controlled important trade routes across the Sahara Desert to Europe and the Middle East. The city of Timbuktu was considered a center of education and learning and included the famous Sankore University.
The development of such major Sudanic kingdoms and empires as Ghana, Mali, Songhai, the Hausa states, and Kanem-Bornu along the southern fringes of the Sahara had a number of important consequences for the history of western Africa as a whole.
Mali fell under French colonial rule in 1892. In 1893, the French appointed a civilian governor of the territory they called Soudan Français (French Sudan), but active resistance to French rule continued. On 20 June 1960 the Federation of Mali became an independent country and Modibo Keïta became its first President.
The main items traded were gold and salt. The gold mines of West Africa provided great wealth to West African Empires such as Ghana and Mali. Other items that were commonly traded included ivory, kola nuts, cloth, slaves, metal goods, and beads.
