West African Empires
Ghana (years): ______________
Mali (years):
______________
Part 1: Ghana
It
t
u
bo
A
nk
i
h
T How did a landlocked region that possessed no gold and no salt
gain control of vast amounts of both resources and become the
wealthiest kingdom in West Africa?
My answer:_______________
________________________
________________________
________________________
________________________
Silent Barter
Style of trade used in the Ghana Empire
Vo
n
u
l
e
e
t
?
s
r
Ghana was...
Land-Locked: enclosed by land, without direct
access to the ocean.
Ghana used...
Silent Barter-______________________________
_______________________________________________
_______________________________________________
_______________________________________________
The Kingdom of Ghana
Gold for Salt: The various kingdoms in West Africa made very good trading
partners. They each had something the other wanted. The north had salt. The
south had gold. Ghana was in the middle. Ghana handled the trades. Trades were even, ounce for ounce - an ounce of gold for an ounce of salt. Both
sides - north and south - paid Ghana a tribute to handle the trades. Although Ghana never owned gold and salt mines, they controlled the trade
between the kingdoms to the north and the kingdoms to the south. Ghana Gets Rich: With the arrival of caravans, or camel trains, the Kingdom of
Ghana expanded their control to include trade with the foreigners. They traded
gold for spices and other luxury goods as well as salt.
The King of Ghana did three things that he felt would protect his people. #1: Tax: The first thing the king did was charge a tax (a tribute, a
tariff) on all people entering and leaving Ghana. This tax was paid
in salt, iron, peacock feathers, fine silk, spices, and other luxury
goods. In exchange, Ghana warriors kept the trade routes open and
protected from raiders. As long as the traders paid the tax, traders
could pass in peace. It was the tax that made Ghana rich.
#2: The System of Silent Barter: The king established a system
of silent barter. Rather than meet and argue a price, gold would be
left at a special place for the traders to take. If ample goods were
not left in exchange, all trade ceased. The traders of Ghana did not
speak the language of many of the new traders who crossed the
Sahara via the Trans-Sahara Trade Routes. This system of silent barter worked very well. Traders were afraid
to leave too little. They knew Ghana would stop trading. If
anything, they left more than they normally would, to keep relations
good and trade flowing.
#3: A Second City: The King of Ghana did not wish traders to enter
his city on a routine basis or in an uncontrolled manner. To protect his
people, he built a second city for the traders located about 6 miles from the
main capital. The capital remained a city for the king and his people. The
other, the new part of the city, was reserved for Moslem traders, merchants,
and foreigners. This system worked very well. It allowed the people of Ghana to continue
to worship in a way that was familiar and comfortable to them. It
encouraged the traders to worship in their way, in the many mosques they
built in the new city.
The people of Ghana had a huge army. But they really didn’t want trouble,
instead they mostly served as “peace-keepers” working to guarantee the
protection of the traders. They wanted their life to continue as it always
had, only more comfortably. The king wanted to conduct public prayer in
the big open plazas of his city. The people in the villages wanted to hear the
griots, traveling poets, musicians and storytellers telling the stories they
loved so much about Anansi the Spider.
1.) Briefly describe how Ghana was able to become so wealthy? Make sure to
include the products involved AND the reasons for Ghana’s rise to prominence.
(1-2 Sentences)
2.) According to this reading, what were some of the forms of payment the King
would accept as tax/tribute? (At least 3)
3.) According to the author, what were “The three things” the King of Ghana did
to protect his people. 1.)
2.)
3.)
4.) Describe the system of “Silent Barter.” Why was it necessary, and how did it
work?
5.) Define Griot.
6.) During this time period, what was the cost, in gold, of 5 oz of salt?