Ghana: A West African Trading Empire

Early travelers described Ghana as a land of

gold.

People who lived in the southern forests had to trade to get which essential product?

salt

18. At the beginning of a journey south, traders loaded goods onto donkeys to cross the

Atlas Mountains.

To which group did Kumbi fall in 1240?

Mande people of Mali

How did the spread of Islam in the 600s contribute to the growth of trade?

Muslims became merchants in West African towns.

19. Explain the use of camels north of Kumbi and porters south of Kumbi, rather than donkeys, to carry goods.

North of Kumbi is the Sahara, so camels were the best transportation method across that type of land. South of Kumbi was thick forest, so humans on foot—porters—were probably the best way to transport goods over that type of land.

Why do historians not know the location of the gold mines of Wangara?

The miners kept the site a secret.

Suppose you are a North African salt trader. Write four journal entries during a trade trip from North Africa, through Kumbi in Ghana, to Wangara, and back. Your entries should be from when you are on the road to Kumbi, in Kumbi, in Wangara, and back in Kumbi. You may use the "Trade Routes in Africa" map for reference. For each entry, include the following: • where you are on your trip (on the road to Kumbi, in Kumbi, in Wangara, back in Kumbi) • how you are transporting your salt • what you see, hear, and experience • where and what you trade in each place and the taxes you pay in Kumbi • how your trade business is affected by having to pass through the kingdom of Ghana

Write your own answer.

How did Ghana raise money to pay government officials?

by taxing goods

Which factor contributed most to Ghana's power?

central location

Caravans were very important to the people of Taghaza, because without caravans the people would

die for lack of food.

How have historians learned about the kingdom of Ghana?

from writings of Arab scholars

How did the king conduct imperial business and address the people's concerns?

in a grand daily court

The trans-Saharan trade increased after about 300 C.E. as a result of the

introduction of camels.

Which of these factors caused the resources of Ghana to decline?

iron furnaces for which people cut trees for fuel

17. What about its geography made Kumbi a good location for trade?

its location in central West Africa and near three major rivers

Which term best describes the role of Ghana in the trans-Saharan trade?

middleman

This diagram shows family members' relationships to the king. Based on Ghana's matrilineal system, who would rule next after the present king dies?

nephew (2)

Which phrase best describes Ghana's military troops?

regular career army plus trained reserves

What is the best title for this list?

• ability to hold large amount of water • double rows of eyelashes • hairy ear openings. Desert Survival Traits of Camels