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The Silent barter is a process in which people exchange good without contacting each other directly. In Ghana salt traders left slabs of salt on the riverbank. In exchange, gold miners left what they thought was a fair amount of gold.
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Every trader who entered Ghana had to pay a special tax on the goods he carried. Then each trader had to pay another tax in the goods he took with him when he left. The people of Ghana also had to pay taxes.
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The rulers of Ghana banned everyone else in Ghana from owning gold nuggets. Common people could only own gold dust, which they used as money. This ensured that the king was richer than his subjects.
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A ruler named Sundiata introduced a new crop cotton. From cotton fibers people made clothing that was confortable in the warm climate. They also sold cotton to other people.
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Mali's most famous ruler was a Muslim named Mansa Musa. Because of Mansa Musa's influence, Islam spread through a large part of West Africa gaining many new believers. Mansa Musa ruled Mali for about 25 years, from 1312 to 1337.
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During that time, Mali added many important trade cities to its empire, including Timbuktu. Religion was important to Mansa Musa. Mansa Musa also supported eduction. He sent many scholars to study in Morocco.
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After Sunni Ali died his son wanted to be the king but he was not Muslim the people didn't want him to be the king. Eventually a king called Aski the Great took over. He ruled Songhai for about 35 years. Askia supported education and learning. He made many lawas similar to those in other Muslim nations.
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To help maintain order, Askia set up five provinces within Songhai. He removed local leaders and appointed new governors who were loyal to him. Askia also created a professional army and specialized departments to oversee specific tasks.
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Songhai's expansion was led by Sunni Ali, who became ruler of the Songhai in 1464. As ruler, Sunni Ali worked to unify, strengthen, and enlarge his empire.
