WEST AFRICA BEFORE SLAVERY

The major powers that stood toe-to-toe with Europe

GHANA EMPIRE Dates: c.500–c.1200 Area at largest known point: 1,600 km2

Thanks in part to the introduction of the camel into the western Sahara, which had enhanced trade routes throughout the region, the Ghana Empire, or more properly known as Wagadou, grew rich from gold and salt and expanded.

MALI EMPIRE Dates: c.1230–1670 Area at largest known point: 1,294,994 km2

Also known as the Manden Kurufaba, the Mali Empire is most famous for its incredible wealth, but it also played a massive role in shaping the legal, linguistic and cultural landscape of West Africa at the time.

SONGHAI EMPIRE Dates: c.1000–1592 Area at largest known point: 1,400,000 km2

One of the largest states in African history, the Songhai Empire was born out of the city of Gao and was part of the Mali Empire. However, as that power declined Gao surpassed it, swallowing up much of its territory in the process.