African civilizations
The first civilizations in Africa was the Kush and Axum. Kush started out as a area of farming and then transformed to trading major trading network. They traded iron, ivory, gold and slaves to the roman Empire, Arabia and India. The Kush empire declined after Axum invaded Kush for ivory. Axum was founded by the Arabs. It owed its prosperity to the Red Sea. Axum most distinct feature is its religion which was later converted by King Ezana to Christianity.
Ghana was the first great trading state in west Africa, emerged as early as A.D. 500. Ghana prospered from their possessions in gold and iron. With these two major products they were able to make tools and weapons. They exchanged metal goods, textiles, horses and salts and their exports were ivory, hides and slaves which were carried to the markets of the Mediterranean and beyond. Ghana was ruled by kings who governed the people without any laws.They had a well trained army of thousands of men.
After Sundiata defeated Ghana and captured its capital in 1240. He united the people of Mali and made a strong government.The famous trading city of Timbuktu built Mali wealth and power on the gold and salt trade. Most people were farmers who grew grain, they lived in villages with local rulers, who served as both religious and administrative leaders. Mansa Musa was their most powerful ruler he created a strong central government and divided the kingdom into provinces ruled by governors who he appointed. Timbuktu became recognized as one of the intellectual capitals of the Muslim world.this attracted religious leaders and scholars and also artist.. In 1359 a civil war divided Mali and a new kingdom of Songhai was beginning to surpass Mali.
Kossi the ruler of Songhai converted to Islam and established the Dia dynasty, and Songhai benefited from the Muslim trade routes linking Arabia, North Africa, and West Africa. Under Sunni Ali, who created a new dynasty the Sunni in 1464, Songhai began to expand. Songhai got control of the trading empire especially trade in salt and gold that made Ghana and Mali prosperous.Sunni Ali controlled both military and government of Songhai..
Ghana was the first great trading state in west Africa, emerged as early as A.D. 500. Ghana prospered from their possessions in gold and iron. With these two major products they were able to make tools and weapons. They exchanged metal goods, textiles, horses and salts and their exports were ivory, hides and slaves which were carried to the markets of the Mediterranean and beyond. Ghana was ruled by kings who governed the people without any laws.They had a well trained army of thousands of men.
After Sundiata defeated Ghana and captured its capital in 1240. He united the people of Mali and made a strong government.The famous trading city of Timbuktu built Mali wealth and power on the gold and salt trade. Most people were farmers who grew grain, they lived in villages with local rulers, who served as both religious and administrative leaders. Mansa Musa was their most powerful ruler he created a strong central government and divided the kingdom into provinces ruled by governors who he appointed. Timbuktu became recognized as one of the intellectual capitals of the Muslim world.this attracted religious leaders and scholars and also artist.. In 1359 a civil war divided Mali and a new kingdom of Songhai was beginning to surpass Mali.
Kossi the ruler of Songhai converted to Islam and established the Dia dynasty, and Songhai benefited from the Muslim trade routes linking Arabia, North Africa, and West Africa. Under Sunni Ali, who created a new dynasty the Sunni in 1464, Songhai began to expand. Songhai got control of the trading empire especially trade in salt and gold that made Ghana and Mali prosperous.Sunni Ali controlled both military and government of Songhai..