Lesson 2: Ghana: A West African Trading Empire

Key Idea

The Empire of Ghana was led by a powerful king who held absolute authority over his government and its system of justice. From the capital city, the king appointed officials to rule different parts of the empire, creating a strong, centralized government.

To ensure a smooth transfer of power, Ghana followed a matrilineal system, meaning the king’s nephew (his sister’s son) was the heir to the throne. The king also commanded a large, well-organized military that protected the empire, secured trade routes, and enforced his laws.

Key Idea

For centuries, the Sahara Desert made travel between North and West Africa nearly impossible. This changed with the introduction of camels. These animals could survive long journeys with little water, making them perfect for crossing the harsh desert.

The spread of Islam also connected merchants across North Africa and the Sahara. These new religious and cultural connections, combined with the use of camels, helped create a massive trade network.

Key Idea

The Empire of Ghana was located between West Africa’s gold fields and North Africa’s salt mines. This position allowed Ghana to control the trade routes that connected the two regions.

Ghana’s kings became powerful by acting as a middleman in this exchange. They taxed all goods that passed through their land, especially the valuable salt from the north.

Key Idea

Ghana's capital, Kumbi, had one of West Africa's largest markets. Merchants from the Sahara gathered there to trade salt and other goods. This city was the center of the empire's great wealth.

To trade for gold, merchants used a special system with the Wangaran people. They left salt at a specific location and then left. The Wangarans would then leave a fair amount of gold in return. This silent barter allowed the Wangarans to protect the secret location of their gold mines.