Ghana Empire 400 C.E. – 1230 C.E.

1. Ghana Empire400 C.E. – 1230 C.E. Katherine Gorodetsky Period 3

2. Political • Ghana first started under a communal system that recognized the authority of clan or village elders to govern the community through consensus. • Increased trade and military activity gave Ghana more authority and led to the gathering of scattered kingdoms and communities under one ruler who was assisted by a royal council. • As governmental structure grew more sophisticated, the king trusted his vizier (prime minister) with governmental affairs. • Viziers were assisted by many dignitaries.

3. Economic • Empire wealthy because of its trading. • Islamic merchants brought wealth to Ghana because they were taxed on what they brought in and what they took out. • Silent Barter System. • With West Africa • Gold left/picked up in a secret place. • Traders could not speak same languages. • Trans Sahara Trade. • North Africa and Europeans

4. Religion • Mixture of supernatural and spiritual powers. • Ghanaians offered sacrifices and poured out libations to their ancestors to appease them. • Not doing this was seen as bad luck. • In the 9th century, the Muslims came to Ghana for trading purposes and along with their goods they brought the Islamic religion. • By the 15th century, Christian missionaries from Portugal were known to be on the Ghana coast but were little influence due to the establishment of Islam and traditional Ghanaian religious practices.

5. Social • Traditional music and dance are popular among Ghana culture. • Unique faith called Zetaheal(seen in cities like Accra, Ghana). • Established in the mid-1970s, Zetaheal combines the teachings of the Koran and the Bible into a single service led by both a pastor and an Imam(Muslim religious leader).

6. Intellectual • Ghana is not typically known for its art. • People focused on collecting gold nuggets for the king. • Religion influenced architecture. • Large and ornate mosques. • Clay figures in forms of animals or important people/leaders. • Very detailed

7. Area Trans Saharan Trade Route Ghana Empire (brown)

8. Rise Of Ghana Empire • Ghana rose in northwest Africa by Niger River. • Empire was located between the Sahara desert and deep forests. • The rulers of Ghana built an empire by controlling trade of their most valuable resources: • Salt and gold • Ghana’s also gained power from their use of iron weapons to: • Conquer neighboring tribes • Farm

9. Decline Of Ghana Empire • 14 years of fighting weakened Ghana. • Almoravids (strict Muslims) believed it was their destiny to take over Ghana. • Overgrazing. • Almoravidsbrought herding animals to Ghana  herds ate grass  left the ground exposed to sun made soil hard to farm. • Internal Rebellion. • Rebels weakened Ghana and it was eventually attacked by neighbors.