Ghana was the first empire to be founded in West Africa around the sixth century c.e. Ghana was a well-civilized state which traded with many other countries, exchanging things they had for things that they needed. Traveling by caravans was their way of trading. One of the main things that Ghana traded for was gold, which was their prized possession. Ghana was torn apart around the end of the eleventh century by many attacks from North African people who were gold hungry. Through this destruction, an even greater empire arose, the Mali Empire. Like Ghana, Mali was a very wealthy empire, which specialized in exporting and producing gold. The Goucher states, “It has been estimated that during the time of the Mali Empire, West Africa produced and supplied almost tw

Sundiata illustrates how women were portrayed during that time period, the emphasis on religion, and how oral traditions are important not only to that culture, but to everyone’s culture. Sundiata also describes how important the trade network was and how every society participated in trade. Through time, all of these characteristics helped us develop into what our society is today. We continue to have a vast trading network worldwide, religion is practiced daily by different cultures, but roles of women have changed in most societies.

In Sundiata, women were depicted as inferior to men in many ways. Women grew the gardens, picked baobab leaves, cooked, sold products, and some were even abducted.

Sundiata shows how important oral traditions are to our history. Without oral tradition being written down, eventually over time they could get lost, or transformed into a totally different story. With the help of oral traditions, we as society are better able to understand the past cultures and practices of ancient people. Oral traditions have helped historians see the development of different cultures through time.

Trade was a very important aspect of life in the days of the Mali Empire. Throughout Sundiata, there are many examples of trade and that the west African states were part of a much larger trade network. As Sundiata is moved from kingdom to kingdom, he travels with different bands of travelers from which he learns a great deal. The Sonike were donkey caravaners who did not speak Mandingo, which was the language of Sundiata and his people,

Some topics in this essay:
Keleya Soumaoro, Hinduism Sundiata, Sonike Naini, West Africa, STORY Man’s, Throughout Sundiata, Niani” Sundiata, Mali Empire, Ghana Mali, North African, oral traditions, mali empire, baobab leaves, trade trade, main religion book, book islam, religion book, sundiata describes, west africa, islam spread, market merchants sold, vast trading network, hundred wives women, hundred wives,