Mark Tharion

Beginning of an Empire

In 300 A.D. groups of neighboring tribes of Soninke in West Africa banded together to protect against nomadic herders who wanted too move into the area. The people learned to make iron tools for farming and raised livestock. As the amount of food greatly increased the population grew resulting into villages and towns.

Camels used to cross the Sahara

Trade

Trading helped make Ghana richer and gain power. Traders crossed the Sahara to trade goods. The people traded salt and gold. They did this in a way called silent barter. The traders wouldn't meet each other directly when exchanging goods so no conflict would occur. One trader would leave his possession by a riverbank, the other trader would come, take the item and leave a certain amount of gold that he thought was reasonable. This also aided in hiding gold mines.

Building of an Empire

When the trading of Ghana became a more powerful influence rulers gained power. Armies were built and given iron weapons which made them superior to other opposing forces. By 800 A.D. Ghanna had a firm grip on trade in its area. as trade increased, so did wealth. Being such a major player in trade, almost every trader crossed in and out of Ghana. Using this to their advantage rulers taxed traders. Gold mines brought even more income to Ghana. The powerful army was able to conquer surrounding areas. The empire became so large they lets former rulers of lands conquered rule. The empire of Ghana reached its peak under the rule of Tunka Manin.

The Fall of an Empire

The mid-1000's A.D. Ghana was rich, but by the 1200's A.D the empire began collapsing. Ghana began being invaded by Almoravids that were Muslims from North Africa . The attacks began in the 1060's. For 14 years the Almoravids kept on weakening Ghana. They cut off trade routes causing wealth to be lost. Almoravids brought herds of animals that ate all the grass exposing the soil to the hot desert winds, which blew away the rich soil, leaving the land worthless for farming. In about 1200 A.D. the people they conquered rose up in rebellion. The rebellions eventually took over all of Ghana, though they could not control it so one of its neighbors soon conquered it and Ghana fell.

Area controlled by the Ghana Empire

Salt slabs traded in ancient Ghana, still traded today