Ghana Political Structure, Religion, and Fall

Ghana Political Structure, Religion, and Fall

1. Political Structure

   • power of the king
     • ruled over everyone
     • lots of riches/gold
     • calls army
   • army of 200,000 men & 40,000 archers
     • use iron spears
       • iron = tech!
         • wow such Song Dynasty!

2. The Effects of religion on the kingdom of Ghana

   • Local (king's) religion
     • paganism
     • worship of idols
     • others who have same religion
       • fall on knees and sprinkle dust on their head to greet king
   • Islam
     • attackers tried to convert Ghana's people to Islam
     • Muslims greet king by clapping their hands
     • mosques

3. Decline and Fall of the kingdom of Ghana

   • invaders
     • Muslim raiders attacked area across empire
     • main goal: convert as many people to Islam as possible
       • also wanted control of salt-gold trade
     • small provinces began to secede to form their own kingdoms
       • eventually empire broke into smaller states
   • drought
     • people began to move out of area in search of a better area to live
     • not a good place to live anymore
       • not as safe
     • around same time Muslims invaded