“Ghana is the title given to their kings, but the name of the kingdom of Awkar. In this year 1067 [or 460 of the Islamic calendar], their king is Tunka Manin who came to the throne in 1063. He rules an enormous kingdom, and wields strong power”
This is an account of al-Bakri, an Arab chronicler through the information he had form the Andalusian traders.
The Kingdom of Ghana should not be confused with the present Republic of Ghana, in fact, the kingdom was different from the present Ghana in terms of ethnicity and territory. It was situated some 400km northeast of the present Ghana. In its territory, was now north Senegal and south Mauritania.
Further west was the state of Tukrur in Senegal valley. A coastal route leading to Morocco via Sjilmasa opened it to the north.
Roots.
The origins of Ghana up to now remain a mystery to everyone. When it came to existence
is a question no one can dare to attempt. It is presumed that Ghana came into existence in around 750 AD.
is a question no one can dare to attempt. It is presumed that Ghana came into existence in around 750 AD.
Diverse clans of the Soninke (modern Senegal) – a Mande speaking people came together under the leadership of Dinga Cisse, who is believed to have come from lands afar from Ghana.
This union was believed to have been purposed by the frequent attacks by the then desperate nomads who needed pastures and water for their herds.
Power and wealth.
Ghana derived its wealth and power from Gold. An Arab chronicler named Al Hamdani, described Ghana as having the richest gold mines in the world. These mines where situated at Bambuk, on the upper Senegal River.
However, according to visitors that frequented the kingdom moments later, it was found out that gold did not actually come from Ghana itself. It was got from a rising kingdom called Mali whose capital was Niani on the upper Niger river.
Trade and Commerce.
Ghana traded in salt, slaves and copper in exchange for textiles, finished products and beads.
This trade led to a methodic tax fabrication. This trade provided the king with systematic revenues to run the kingdom.
Al-Bakri’s record on the import and export trade plus the means of exchange seemed rather sufficient.
“On every donkey-load of salt the king levies one gold dinar when it is brought into the country, and two dinars. When a load of salt is sent out of the country. From a load of imported copper, the king’s revenue in tax is five mitcal, and ten mictal on every load of other goods” As for gold, “all nuggets in any of the mines of his country are reserved for the king, only gold dust being left to the people”
These monetary terms such as mitcal and dinar require more insight. According to al-Bakri, a dinar (dinarious aureus) was a gold coin – a famous standard of value.
The exchange value was aided by sufficient gold reserves in West Africa. This saw the introduction of the Fatimid dinar and then the Almoravid dinar, which were mined from Sjilmasa, Morocco.
The standard weight of this Muslim dinar was 4.233 grams. The weight of a dinar was called a mitcal; the fact that the mitcal was a weight rather than a coin requires more attention.
What was the value of this royal dinar? al-Bakri found out that the purchase price of a woman cook in the west African city of Awdaghost went for 100 dinars. In the eleventh-century Cairo, two dinars could uphold a fairly humble family. In the same city, a domestic servant – probably bought as a slave went for 20 dinars.
From this, it is clear that the king of Ghana accumulated a good deal of wealth from his taxing of trade activities.
Myths and Oral Tradition.
The wealth of the kingdom of Ghana also has a mythical attachment to it. A story is told of a black snake, called Bida. To the snake, the people of Ghana offered annual sacrifice in exchange for wealth to the kingdom. Every year, a virgin was offered as sacrifice.
It was not until one day when the fiancée of the intended victim rescued her, his name was Mamadou Sarolle. Cheated of sacrifice, Bida took revenge, a terrible drought hit Ghana and the glorious gold mines hit a decline.
Downfall.
Towards 1200 AD, the kingdom of Ghana started to decline. During this period, the king lost his monopoly over trade. This meant a decline in revenues. In addition was the discovery of gold mines at Bure (modern Guinea). This was out of the financial muscle of Ghana. Hence, new trade routes were also developed Far East of Ghana.
Ghana faced external attacks mainly by the Almoravid Muslims who were Berbers from the north. Additionally, were the attacks by the Sosso ruler Sumangutu Malinke in 1235 under the charismatic leadership of Sundiata Keita.
All these developments left Ghana submerged in them.
