History of Ghana
Trade across the Sahara and the West African savanna was essential for the Soninke people, who called their leader ghana, or war chief. Muslim traders began calling the Soninke by this term, and by 700s Ghana was a kingdom. Gold and salt were by far the most important traded goods. Many gold mines were found in the forests. Some historians believe that until around 1350, at least two-thirds of the nation's gold supply came from West Africa. Though salt could not be found in the forests, there were salt deposits in the Sahara Desert. In fact. the mineral was so common that villagers would build their houses out of salt blocks. By the year 800, Ghana had become an empire.
Ghana's ruler acted as a military commander, chief judge, and as a religious leader. He had a very large army and used this to demand taxes and keep gold's price from falling. Several of Ghana's important rulers were Ghana Bassi and Tunka Menin. Ghana Bassi was well-known for his efforts in leading the resistance against the Almoravids, even if he ended up failing. Tunka Menin was the successor of Bassi, and was a model ruler. He is also known for his attempts to defeat the Almoravids after Bassi. Both of these rulers were said to be the most influential to Ghana in this time period.
Ghana's fall was mainly attributed to the Muslim Almoravids. Even though the Almoravids eventually left Ghana, the natural resources that had made them thrive were almost completely used up. As a result, trade became much harder as the people had little gold or salt to sell. Ghana rulers were never really able to get back on their feet when they had no resources to do so, and Ghana was eventually very vulnerable to attacks. In 1240, the country was added into the growing nation of Mali.
Ghana's ruler acted as a military commander, chief judge, and as a religious leader. He had a very large army and used this to demand taxes and keep gold's price from falling. Several of Ghana's important rulers were Ghana Bassi and Tunka Menin. Ghana Bassi was well-known for his efforts in leading the resistance against the Almoravids, even if he ended up failing. Tunka Menin was the successor of Bassi, and was a model ruler. He is also known for his attempts to defeat the Almoravids after Bassi. Both of these rulers were said to be the most influential to Ghana in this time period.
Ghana's fall was mainly attributed to the Muslim Almoravids. Even though the Almoravids eventually left Ghana, the natural resources that had made them thrive were almost completely used up. As a result, trade became much harder as the people had little gold or salt to sell. Ghana rulers were never really able to get back on their feet when they had no resources to do so, and Ghana was eventually very vulnerable to attacks. In 1240, the country was added into the growing nation of Mali.