AFRICAN EMPIRES

Ethiopia (in the east)

Frumentius

• A slave who rose in favor with the king• He introduced Coptic Christianity to Ethiopia.

• Had to defend itself from the Muslims• Turn to page 49 in book• Make pilgrimages to Lalibela and the 11 churches built

by King Lalibela

Ghani (in the west)

• Prospered from the trade that traveled through

• Traded for salt from the north• They demanded gold nuggets for a tax• Converted to Islam

Mali (in the west)

• King Sunjata defeated the rulers and set up a larger empire

• Leaders converted to Islam

• Mansa Musa made pilgrimage to Mecca and gave away much gold

Songhai (in the west)

• Founded by Sunni Ali• Collapsed in 1591 when Moroccan forces

came with muzzle-loading firearms

West African Commerce

• Agriculture:– Developed iron production – Learned to work with camels

• Gold Production– Used gold to trade– Europeans called it the Gold Coast

• Caravan Trade– Camel caravans traveled from oasis to oasis– Why Camels?• Can store energy rich fat in their humps• Can store water to survive 5-7 days• Long eyelashes and nostrils can be closed during

sandstorm• Can withstand extreme temperatures

– Camels were essential to caravan trade

• Muslim traders brought Islam• Muslims also brought written language Arabic

كاثي اسميهيوز