ANCIENT GHANA LOCATION The ancient Empire of Ghana was located in Western Africa in the present-day countries of Mauritania, Senegal, and Mali. It was just south of the Sahara Desert and made up of mostly savanna grasslands. The Gambia, Senegal, and Niger were the major rivers of the region. They served as the means of trade and transportation. Koumbi Saleh was the capital of ancient Ghana. The king lived there in his royal palace. It is estimated by archeologists that up to 20,000 people lived in and around the capital. FORMATION Ancient Ghana controlled this region of Africa from around 300 to 1100. It was first formed when several tribes of the Soninke peoples were united under King Dinga Cisse. The empire had a feudal government with local kings who paid tribute to the high king, but still ruled their lands as they saw fit. Most people were farmers who were allotted a portion of land by their local village leader. NAME The Soninke people used the word “Ghana,” meaning “Warrior King” in reference to their king. People who lived outside the empire used the term “Ghana” when referring to the region. The Soninke people called their empire “Wagadu.” IMPORTANT GOODS Ancient Ghana’s main source of wealth came from the mining of iron and gold. Iron was vital in producing strong weapons and tools to make Ghana strong. Ironsmiths were revered in their society. They were considered magicians because they worked with fire and earth to create iron. Gold was used in trading with other nations for necessary items, such as livestock, tools, and cloth. Trade relations were established with Muslims in Northern Africa and the Middle East. Caravans of camels were used to transport goods across the Sahara Desert. It usually took about 40 days to cross the Sahara from the coastal cities in Ghana. Salt was also considered valuable. A lot of the salt was mined in the Sahara Desert by slaves. Salt was used as money sometimes and was about as valuable as gold. FALL The Empire of Ghana came under pressure from the Muslims to convert to Islam around 1050. Ghana’s kings refused to convert and came under constant attacks from Northern Africa. A group of people known as the Susu broke free of Ghana at the same time. Ghana weakened over the next few hundred years until it

eventually became part of the Mali Empire. ©Teaching to the Middle Name______ANCIENT GHANA IDENTIFY: Use the word bank to identify each term described. Africa Wagadu Koumbi Saleh gold

Soninke Sahara salt rivers

iron Warrior King Dinga Cisse Islam

Used to trade with other nations for 1. necessary items People in ancient Ghana called their kingdom 2. this Ancient Ghana was located south of this 3. desert

4. Vital in making strong weapons

5. Ancient Ghana was located on this continent

6. Mined by slaves in the Sahara

The Gambia, Senegal, and Niger were all this 7. important land feature in the ancient Ghana

8. Meaning of the word “Ghana”

Ancient Ghana formed when tribes of these 9. people were united

10. Capital of ancient Ghana

Muslim invaders wanted the people of ancient 11. Ghana to convert to this religion

12. First king of ancient Ghana

©Teaching to the Middle MULTIPLE CHOICE: Choose the best answer.

13. About how long did it take a caravan to cross the Sahara Desert from coastal cities? A. 10 days B. 20 days C. 40 days D. 50 days

14. Which two items were used as money in ancient Ghana? A. Gold and Iron B. Iron and Salt C. Salt and Silver D. Gold and Salt

15. Which of the following did NOT lead to the fall of ancient Ghana? A. Muslims from the north wanted them to convert to Islam. B. The Soninke people broke free from the Ghana Empire. C. The Susu people broke free from the Ghana Empire. D. Ghana’s kings refused to convert to Islam.

16. Which of the following is NOT a present-day country where the Mali Empire was located? A. Mauritania B. Niger C. Senegal D. Mali

17. What feature mainly made up the geography of ancient Ghana? A. Savanna grasslands B. Mountains C. Desert D. Rainforest

18. What was the main occupation of the people of ancient Ghana? A. Ironsmith B. Trader C. Farmer D. King

©Teaching to the Middle