Scribd
Upload
24 views

GHANA

History lesson about Ghana Empire

Uploaded by

minatounkarandiaye78
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
24 views

GHANA

History lesson about Ghana Empire

Uploaded by

minatounkarandiaye78
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 7

The Ghana Kingdom (about 700–1200 CE)

INTRODUCTION
Ghana was West Africa’s first powerful empire. It was located further north than today’s nation
of Ghana. Modern Ghana took its name in honor of ancient Ghana.

HISTORY
Ghana was known as the “land of gold.” Ghanaians (the people of Ghana)
invented ways to mine gold. They controlled three major gold fields. The kingdom
became wealthy by trading gold throughout Africa. The kings of Ghana
controlled the gold that was unearthed, and were called “lords of the gold.”
Visitors from Arab countries wrote about expensive gifts given by these kings to
their neighbors and trading partners. Ghanaians traded gold for salt from the
Sahara Desert region. They needed salt for its nutrients and to preserve food.
Other goods that were traded included copper, ivory, textiles and leather, herbs
and spices and foods such as fish, rice, honey and kola nuts. These societies also
traded enslaved people. The use of horses and camels at this time
helped trade to grow.
I. TRADE WAS AN IMPORTANT PART OF THE EARLY GHANA EMPIRE

The success of Ghana allowed its rulers to build power. They used iron to make weapons and
commanded a large army. Arab visitors wrote of a force of 200,000 soldiers, including 40,000
archers.
This may have been an exaggeration, but it shows that Ghana’s military was impressive. Even
though Ghana was powerful, the kingdom began to weaken in the 11th century CE. This happened
after attacks by enemies, many wars and competition over trade routes. The climate also became
drier over time and this damaged crops.

The Ghanaians did not have a writing system, so there is much we don’t know about this great
empire. However, archaeologists are still learning from a site they uncovered, called Koumbi
Saleh. This ancient town may have been the capital of Ghana and home to more than 40,000
people. It contained stone houses, mosques and a palace complex. It also had a network of wells
that provided water for drinking and irrigating crops. The remains at Koumbi Saleh prove that
Ghana was one of the most complex and powerful civilizations of its time.
II. WHILST EUROPE WAS IN THE DARK AGES, GHANA FLOURISHED AS AN
EMPIRE

By 1000 AD, the Empire of Ghana had grown very large. It grew in all directions – north, east,
south and west. The Empire of Ghana controlled 650,000 square kilometres of land, which is 3
times the size of Britain today. Because of this growth, the Ghana Empire was the most powerful
empire in the region at its time. The Empire’s wealth was incredible. At the time, Europe was in
the Dark Ages and had disease, no education and war. But, the Ghana Empire was rich,
well-educated and famous around the world.

1. Life In The Ghanaian Society


Until its independence, Ghana was known as the Gold Coast. It was renamed Ghana, meaning
“Warrior King,” to reflect the ancient Ghana Empire that flourished in West Africa during the 10th
century.
In the pre-modern Ghanaian society, women were primarily viewed as child bearers. They were
associated with the traditional roles of managing the household and rearing children. Women in
rural areas participated in agricultural activities while those in the urban centers stayed at home.
However, the situation has greatly changed in modern-day Ghana. Today, over 40% of the
Ghanaian women participate in the country’s workforce.
Many women also hold top offices in politics, business, education, and other fields. Marriages in
Ghana, especially in the rural areas, are still arranged by the parents of the bride and the groom.
Polygamous marriages are allowed but it is dependent on the financial conditions of the man.
The village chiefs often marry many women. A bride price is paid to the bride’s family in
exchange for the bride. The primary aim of most marriages is to have children. Women who do
not bear children are often divorced by their husbands.
Divorce is easy to obtain and is widespread. In urban areas, however, the spread of Western
values have influenced marriage customs. Monogamy is preferred and modern, nuclear families (
made of at least two people: a husband, a wife and their children under the age of 18) are more
common.
The basic household unit in Ghana varies in size and composition. The domestic arrangement
differs by ethnic group. Patrilocal residence (bride moves in with groom’s family), natalocal
residence (both bride and groom stay with their respective parents after marriage), and
avunculocal residence (a man resides with his maternal uncle) are the different types of domestic
arrangements that can be seen in Ghana. Inheritance is matrilineal (for the Akan ethnic group) or
patrilineal (other ethnic groups).
Children are highly valued in society. Mothers are primarily responsible for childcare.
Grandparents and other relatives also participate in this activity. The transition of children to
adulthood is marked by many initiation ceremonies and puberty rites
Ghanaians are known for their hospitality. Visitors are treated with great respect and offered
food and rest. It is also important to be polite towards elders and treat them with respect.
Older members of the society are revered for their age and experience of life. Often, one seeks
advice from them.
The Arts in Ghana

Ghana has a rich tradition of storytelling. Ghanaian folktales and epics glorifying past chiefs are
still enjoyed by large audiences in the country. Kwaku Ananse, a spider, is a popular figure of
Ghanaian folklore. There is a small body of written literary works in the country’s indigenous
languages
Ghana also has a rich tradition of graphic art. Ghanaian craftsmen excel at wood carving. Stools
representing abstract designs or animals are carved out of large logs. These stools become objects
of veneration after the deaths of their owners. Sculpting is another craft form of Ghana whereby
iron and bronze casting techniques are used to produced ceremonial swords, gold weights, and
other products. Textiles and pottery are also produced by Ghanaian
Artisans
CONCLUSION

The subsequent rise of the Sosso kingdom and later the Mali Empire led by Sunjata also
contributed to its fall. Sunjata accumulated all the vestiges of the Ghana to found the largest
and richest empire yet seen in Africa

You might also like