Africa Before the Europeans

In the time period between 300 and 1400 there were many advanced civilizations in Africa. This was the time period before Europeans arrived in Africa. Songhai, Mali and Ghana were three cities in Africa that were well developed before Europeans arrived in Africa in the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries.

Songhai was one of the best developed communities in Africa during the time. Songhai was home of the center of trade Timbuktu. Timbuktu had everything they had many doctors, judges, priests and merchants. Everyone around Songhai would come and sell there written books and other merchandise for gold or other merchandise. Salt was sold here and was a great demand Timbuktu was also the center of learning people bought and sold books and were taught by well learned men and were maintained at the king's costs. Timbuktu became such a well grown city due to its location. It was located on the bend of the Niger River so travelers would stop by and buy and sell and also I was located in the middle of all the other tribes. Timbuktu helped develop the Songhai Empire due to all the travelers and movers migrating in to Songhai.

Another advanced civilization in Africa was Mali or otherwise known as "where the king dwells". It got this name from the emperor Mansa Musa. He is well known by people because of his generosity and wealthy ness. Mansa Musa would give away gold to everyone not one person would not receive a sum of gold according to and Egyptian official. Mali is known for its Islamic society and government which helped further develop the Mali Empire.

Ghana was another advanced civilization in Africa. Ghana was the center of trade in the gold-salt trade. People from all over came here because of the busy trade, safety, location, and organization. Ghana can be considered an advanced civilization due to its surplus of food, wealth from trade, income from taxes, social organization, justice, political control, strong army, advanced weapons and peace and cooperation. All of this wealth came from the gold-salt trade. Ghana however also had an advanced political structure. Ghana's government was more complex than many others during the time. There were many jobs in the government such as king, governors, subordinate kings and ministers. All of theses jobs led to political control and organization which helped build the empire strong.

Europeans were not the first to have an advances society and this is clearly shown. The Songhai Empire was advanced due to its exceedingly good trading and learning. Mali Empire can be considered advanced due to wealthy ness and Islamic society and government. And lastly Ghana Empire was advanced due to its good trade, protection and complex government. These civilizations all occurred before the Europeans arrived in Africa in the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries. Without these great achievements our world would be very different today.