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Introduction
Introduction
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Ancient West Africa played big roles in shaping history and it still important to us today. Its influence continues to be found in diverse cultures, its contributions to trade, education, and religion. According to Elton B. Stephen Company (EBSCO), early West Africa had rich heritage and strong empires. West Africa is home to the 9th emperor of Mali, Mansa Musa, who is known to be the richest man in the world. West African trade played a key role in the economy by exchanging items like gold, salt, and ivory through trans-Saharan trade routes, famously through Timbuktu.
Geography
Geography
West Africa includes the empires Ghana, Mali, and Songhai that played critical roles in developing West Africa. The Sahara desert being so close to West Africa called for a hot and dry climate, which influenced how people worked and lived. Despite having geographic struggles, the region adapted and grew strong. One of the features that helped them adapt includes the Niger river that supplied water and fertile land for agriculture as well as drinking water and fish.
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Museum Rooms
Museum Rooms
West African mosques were an incredibly important part of day to day life as they served as both places of worship, as well as of trade and communal interaction within a society as a whole.
The development of cowries by West Africa had a significant impact by providing a currency for trading goods and services and slave trade. Without cowries it would be much harder to trade goods and services with other civilizations. Cowries were seen as a currency for trade in many regions. Cowries had an important role in slave trade by being apart of the monetary system.
The trade of gold played a significant part of the growth of past West Africa's economy and helped to bolster the economies of many other places with the gold they traded to them. Without the gold trade west Africa would never have gotten as economically powerful as it had been.
The Domestication of Camels positively improved West Africa by providing a way to travel far distances across harsh conditions to trade and travel. Camels have adapted to these harsh conditions with various features to sustain and thrive in scorching and freezing conditions.
Ancient West African universities played a significant role in West African history. It gave Africans more academic opportunities and more academic freedom. Universities provided wide ranges of studies, including education on religion. These universities helped advance west African culture and spread it around the world. Universities enlightened young Africans in the ancient time periods and still teach young Africans today.
Camel saddles have been a fundamental part of West African trade and growth as they have allowed for easier transport and recieval of goods.
Cultural festival in Kumasi.
Cowrie shell used as currency.
Ancient West African home.
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