RELIGION in ANCIENT GHANA

Ancient Ghanaian religion was a mixture of supernatural and spiritual powers. They believed plants and animals had spirits as well as humans and that these spirits co-existed together. Ancient Ghanaians also practiced ancestor veneration by offering sacrifices and pouring out libations to their ancestors to appease them. They believed that if they neglected their ancestors that it would bring them bad luck. Anytime something bad happened they offered sacrifices to their ancestors with the help of spiritual leaders. Ghanaians at this time believed that their ancestors were a mediator to the gods.

By the 9th century Islam was introduced to Ancient Ghana. The Muslims came to Ghana for trading purposes and along with their goods they brought the Islamic religion. Many Ghanaians began to practice Islam at this time. In 1076 the Almoravids, who were Muslims, conquered Ghana. They attempted to make Islam the only practiced religion but failed.

By the 15th century, Christian missionsaries from Portugal were known to be on the coast of Ghana, But until then the Empire consisted of Islam and traditional Ghanaian religious practices. Half of the town of Kumbi Saleh, which was the capital, was called El Ghaba and was the traditional Ghanaian religious center of the town. The other half of the capital was the trading center or business district and since the Arab and Berber merchants were Muslim this side of town consisted of the Islamic faith. Several mosques were built in this business district of Kumbi Saleh.

ECONOMY

Ancient Ghana's main resources were salt, ivory, and gold. The empire was ruled and governed by a kingship, originally a Soninke king named Ghana, which is where the empire's name derived. It was originally called Wagadugu. Economic success didn't take long and the empire expanded mainly because it was literally a "Gold Mine". The Ghana empire rose to power mainly by capitalizing from the gold trade, as well as copper, iron-smelting, and salt. In some instances, a large amount of revenue was gained by selling slaves or people captured from war. Around these resources, the empire's first city was established; Kumbi Saleh. It was the southern heart of the Saharan trading routes.

In addition, Ghana introduced the use of camels to the Trans-Saharan trading routes. Camels made moving resources from one place to another very profitable. The quantity Ancient Ghanaians were able to trade salt and gold quite effectively by using these animals. The trading routes went from west Africa to eastern Egypt, and as far as the Middle East. Later, it expanded even farther, which caused a rush of other groups to seek settlement in Ghana. The same as today, people migrated to places where they could benefit economically. As a result, different groups came in and fought for power of the empire. Subsequently, the king lost his trading monopoly and droughts became a major problem. Eventually, the Almoravid Muslims invaded.

Ancient Ghana: INTRODUCTION

Map of Ancient Ghana

Ancient Ghana was located in Western Africa. It is presently known as Southeastern Mauritiania and Western Mali. The main concepts of the empire of Ancient Ghana consists of their flourishing agriculture, evolving religion, lucrative economy, elite military, and vivid culture. All of these aspects accounted for the empires sustainability to maintain rule for approximately 350 years.