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Ghana Empire Facts & Worksheets

The Ghana Empire, also referred to as Ghana, Ghanata, or Wagadou, was a historical empire situated in the western Sahel region during the classical to post-classical periods in what is now southeastern Mauritania and western Mali.

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The Ghana Empire, also referred to as Ghana, Ghanata, or Wagadou, was a historical empire situated in the western Sahel region during the classical to post-classical periods in what is now southeastern Mauritania and western Mali.

See the fact file below for more information about the Ghana Empire, or you can download our 28-page Ghana Empire worksheet pack to utilize within the classroom or home environment.

Key Facts & Information

ETYMOLOGY 

  • The term “Ghana” translates to “warrior” or “war chief.” The rulers of the original kingdom, whose Soninke name was Ouagadou Kaya Maghan (meaning “king of gold”), held another title denoting their leadership.
  • Theories on Ghana’s origins often center on debates between ethnohistoric narratives and archaeological discoveries. Early discussions are documented in Sudanese chronicles by Mahmud Kati (Tarikh al-Fattash) and Abd-Sal-Rahman as-Sa’di (Tarikh al-Sudan).
  • The Tarikh al-Sudan also mentions that “in origin, they were white, though we do not know to whom they trace their origin. Their subjects, however, were Wa’kore [Soninke].”
  • Although these early perspectives prompted various exotic interpretations suggesting a foreign origin for Wagadu, modern scholars generally disregard these views. Furthermore, archaeologist and historian Raymond Mauny contends that al-Kati’s and al-Saadi’s notion of a foreign origin should not be considered reliable.

ORAL TRADITIONS

  • In the late 19th century, with French forces taking control of the region where ancient Ghana once existed, colonial officials started gathering traditional accounts, including manuscripts in Arabic dating back somewhat earlier in the century. Several traditions, including manuscripts from the 19th century, referred to the oldest polity as Wagadu or the “place of the Wague,” a term used by local nobility at the time.
  • Recent research, such as Nehemia Levtzion’s work in 1973, aimed to reconcile archaeological findings, geographical sources from 830 to 1400 CE, older traditions, and accounts collected by French administrators.
  • Levtzion thought that local developments, fueled by trade from North Africa, were critical to the state’s development. While assembling his work, he tended to prefer more recently recorded traditions over older ones.

CONTRIBUTIONS OF ARCHAEOLOGICAL RESEARCH 

  • Archaeological research initially progressed slowly. While French archaeologists believed they had identified the capital, Koumbi Saleh, in the 1920s based on extensive stone ruins, others suggested that elaborate burials in the Niger Bend area might be linked to the empire. 
  • In more recent work in Dhar Tichitt, and then in Dhar Nema and Dhar Walata, it has become increasingly clear that as the desert advanced, the Dhar Tichitt culture moved southward into the still well-watered areas of northern Mali, shedding light on the historical context of the empire.

HISTORY

Early Centuries

  • Despite decades of archaeological study, no native written records have been discovered. However, many native(local-Malian/adjacent West-African) and non-native (medieval Arabic) accounts have confirmed the empire’s ancient existence. 
  • Additionally, Proto-Mande chiefdoms had already established themselves in the westernmost portion of the Niger River basin for over a millennium, approximately spanning from 1300 BCE to 300 BCE.

Formation of the Empire

  • The state and subsequent empire began to coalesce around the 1st century CE to the 3rd century CE. The primary ethnic group involved was the Soninke, with the capital in Koumbi Saleh. 
  • According to Kati’s Tarikh al-Fettasj, composed around 1580, but citing the authority of Ida al-Massini, the chief judge of Messina, twenty kings ruled over Ghana before the arrival of the prophet Muhammad, and the empire endured until a century after his era.

Imperial Decline

  • Due to the scattered nature of Arabic sources and the ambiguity of the existing archaeological record, determining the decline and fall of Ghana is challenging. While a historiographical tradition suggests that Ghana fell during the Almoravid invasion in 1076-77, this interpretation has been contested. 
  • The archaeological evidence of ancient Ghana does not indicate the rapid change and destruction associated with military conquests during the Almoravid era. Additionally, there is no clear account of Ghana’s sack in contemporary sources, and the country did not convert to Islam, as indicated by al-Idrisi’s account written in 1154.

The occupation of Sosso and its successor states

  • In the 14th century, Ibn Khaldun, a North African historian, learned about Ghana’s history from al-Bakri and al-Idrisi. ‘Uthman, a Ghanaian faqih who made a pilgrimage to Mecca in 1394, vaguely described Ghana’s post-conversion period, noting the Sosso’s subjugation. Contemporary traditions link the Sosso to the Susu, residents of Kaniaga.
  • Much later stories state that the Diarisso dynasty was founded in Koumbi Saleh by Diara Kante in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. After he died, his son Soumaoro Kante took over and made the populace pay tribute to him. Additionally, the Sosso succeeded in annexing the Mandinka state of Kangaba, located south of them and home to the significant Bure goldfields.

Mali Dominance

  • In his brief overview of Sudanese history, Ibn Khaldun mentioned that “the people of Mali outnumbered the peoples of Sudan in their neighborhood and dominated the whole region.
  • “He further stated that they “defeated the Susu and acquired all their possessions, both their ancient kingdom and that of Ghana. According to a modern tradition, this resurgence of Mali was spearheaded by Sundiata Keita, the founder of Mali and ruler of its core area of Kangaba. Delafosse assigned an arbitrary but widely accepted date of 1230 to this event.

GOVERNMENT

  • Ancient Ghana’s governance, documented by foreign travelers, particularly impressed Islamic writers who commended the king’s just actions and grandeur. Dinga Cisse served as the kingdom’s first monarch. 
  • The kingdom’s government was feudal, with local rulers in charge. The king was called Ghana, meaning “war chief,” and his decrees became law. 
  • He oversaw economic activity, directed an extremely well-organized army, and served as the head of justice. The monarch appointed ministers, mayors, counselors, and other public workers to help with administrative tasks, but he remained in charge at all times. 
  • People could bring complaints to court, and serious crimes were judged by a test involving drinking a special drink. Conquered areas had to obey the king’s laws to gain independence, or Ghanaian governors would oversee them.

ECONOMY

  • The primary information about the economy of Ghana is derived from al-Bakri’s accounts. He observed that merchants were required to pay a tax of one gold dinar on imports of salt and two gold dinars on exports of salt. The introduction of the camel also played a significant role in the success of the Soninke, facilitating more efficient transportation of goods across the Sahara.
  • Additionally, Ghana served as a leading center of education. The empire amassed wealth from the Trans-Saharan Trade, exchanging commodities such as gold, iron, salt, and enslaved people.

KOUMBI SALEH

  • The believed capital of the empire was Koumbi Saleh, situated on the edge of the Sahara desert. According to Al-Bakri’s description of the town in 1067-1068, the capital comprised two cities located 10 kilometers (6mi) apart, with continuous habitations between them, effectively merging into one.

EL-GHABA

  • As per Al-Bakri, the principal part of the city was known as El-Ghaba and served as the king’s residence. It was fortified by a stone wall and served as the royal and spiritual capital of the empire. It housed the king’s palace, the most prominent structure in the city, surrounded by other domed buildings. There was also a single mosque for Muslim authorities who came to visit. (Interestingly, the Arabic translation of “El-Ghaba” is “The Forest.”)

MUSLIM DISTRICT

  • The name of the other section of the city remains undocumented. Here, there were wells with fresh water used for growing vegetables. It was predominantly inhabited by Muslims, boasting twelve mosques, one dedicated to Friday prayers. This district also housed a full complement of scholars, scribes, and Islamic jurists. The inhabitants were likely predominantly black Muslims known as the Wangara, now recognized as Jakhanke or Mandinka.

Ghana Empire Worksheets

This fantastic bundle includes everything you need to know about the Ghana Empire across 28 in-depth pages. These ready-to-use worksheets are perfect for teaching kids about the Ghana Empire. The Ghana Empire was a historical empire situated in the western Sahel region during the classical to post-classical periods in what is now southeastern Mauritania and western Mali.

Complete List of Included Worksheets

Below is a list of all the worksheets included in this document.

  1. Ghana Empire Facts
  2. Guide to Ghana 
  3. Ghana Accounts
  4. Time Travel
  5. Know Them
  6. The Rise and Fall
  7. Picture it Out
  8. Ghana Lead the Way!
  9. Rule the K-W-L!
  10. Ghana Search
  11. Golden Poem

Frequently Asked Questions

What was the Ghana Empire?

The Ghana Empire was a medieval West African state that flourished between the 8th and 13th centuries. It was located in present-day southeastern Mauritania and western Mali. Contrary to its name, it was not related to modern Ghana but derived from the Soninke word “Ghana,” meaning “warrior king.”

What were the major achievements of the Ghana Empire?

The Ghana Empire was known for its sophisticated administrative system, extensive trade networks, and control over gold mines, which facilitated significant wealth and prosperity. It established itself as a key player in trans-Saharan trade, exchanging gold, ivory, and slaves for salt and other goods with North African and Mediterranean traders.

How did the Ghana Empire decline?

The decline of the Ghana Empire was influenced by various factors, including internal strife, external pressures from neighboring states, and shifts in trade routes. In the 11th century, the Almoravids, a Muslim Berber dynasty from North Africa, began exerting pressure on Ghana, disrupting its trade networks and weakening its power. Over time, this contributed to the empire’s fragmentation and eventual collapse.

What was the significance of the Ghana Empire in African history?

The Ghana Empire played a crucial role in shaping the history and culture of West Africa. It served as a precursor to later West African empires, such as the Mali Empire and the Songhai Empire, which built upon Ghana’s legacy of trade and governance. Additionally, the empire’s wealth and influence attracted the attention of Arab and North African chroniclers, who documented its existence and contributed to its historical significance.

What is the legacy of the Ghana Empire today?

The legacy of the Ghana Empire lives on in the region’s cultural heritage, particularly in the traditions and customs of modern-day Mali and Mauritania. Additionally, the empire’s economic influence and trade networks laid the groundwork for future commercial exchanges and cultural diffusion across the Sahara. The story of the Ghana Empire also serves as a reminder of Africa’s rich history and the diverse civilizations that thrived on the continent long before European colonization.

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