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The Capitol of Ghana was Koumbi, which was founded in 600 A.D.. The people of the empire of Ghana had started as farmers, but droughts brought ruined their land, expanding the Sahara desert. As a result the ghanians stopped raising livestock and fruit and started trading ivory,gold, and slaveswith their arab neighbors in the north and east.
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Tenkamenin lived in a wood and mud castle decorated in extravagant paintings. He built prisons for his enemies ,temples, and impressive tombs. He had ruled a prosperous empire.
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In 1076 Muslim invaders take the capital of Ghana beganto crumble, despite over a century later a king named Sumanguru tried to restore its former glory.
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Sundiata, a magician and a warrior, becomes king of Mali. After reaching that milestone, 4 years later Sundiata destroys the capital of Ghana and takes over the gold-salt trade.
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Mansa Musa (Sundiata's grand-nephew) takes the throne of Mali. Mansa Musa was a very religious Muslim.
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As a religious Muslim, Mansa Musa was inclined to go to Mecca to complete the pilgrimage. He brought thousands of slaves and hundreds of pounds of gold, just to show how wealthy he was. After giving so many gifts he became very popular.
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After a great rule, Mansa Musa dies. He left behind a great empire, that had something no european country at the time had, nationalism.
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Sunni Ali the leader of the Songhai defeats the forces of Mali to become the ruler of the most powerful West African Empire.
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The most brilliant leader of Songhai Askia Muhammad takes the throne. Askia encouraged learning, trade, and increased the power of Songhai's army with neighboring communities soldiers.
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Askia, like many Muslims, completed the pilgrimage bringing back docters,teachers,architects, and scientists to help build his prospering empire.
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In 1700 the forces of Morocco and Spain invade and destroy the last of the great West African Empires.
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The king of Ghana became Muslim in 950 A.D.He started taxing goods passing through his kingdom to create an army to exact tribute from neighboring communities.
