Africa’s Governments and Religions

[Pages:23]Africa's Governments and Religions

LESSON 8.2

African Rulers and Society

In most ancient societies, rulers were isolated from their subjects.

In Africa south of the Sahara, distance between kings and common people was not as great.

African rulers would hold meetings to let people voice their complaints.

In Ghana, drams called the people to the king. Before talking to the king, subjects poured dust

over their heads or fell to the ground. o Subjects would bow and state their business. o Then they would wait for their king's reply.

Kings and the People

African developed ways to rule their people. Powerful states, such as Ghana and Mali, favored

strong central governments. Power rested with the ruler.

o Rulers settled disputes, controlled trade and defended the empire.

o Rulers expected total loyalty from their people. Merchants received favors from kings and paid kings

in taxes in return.

Local rulers held some power and supported their king.

This system allowed kingdoms to grow rich, control their lands, and keep peace.

Present-day Governments of Ghana and Mali

Ghana and Mali have presidents. o Elected by the citizens.

Both countries have legislative and judicial branches. o They share power running the government.

What was Ghana's Government Like?

Kings of Ghana were strong rulers.

o Played active roles rulers running the kingdom.

Ministers and advisers helped them.

o Many advisers came from the royal household, included

Family members of the king Military leaders Other officials

Ghana's kings surrounded themselves with capable advisers.

o Jurists o Scholars o Interpreters o Treasurers.

Kings asserted their authority by appointing the sons of rival lords as part of this royal court.

What was Ghana's Government Like? (con't)

Ghana's empire grew. o King's divided their territory into provinces. Lesser kings governed the provinces. o Provinces were made up into districts. Governed by district chiefs. o Each district was governed by district chiefs. Districts were composed of villages belonging to chief's clan. Clan ? a group of people descended from the same ancestor.

What was Ghana's Government Like? (con't)

Ghana's government had a unique method of transferring power from one ruler to another. o Kingdom is inherited only the son of the king's sister. o Property was inherited by a man's sons. o Ghana's leadership is passed to the king's nephew.

The Government of Mali

Mali had a government like that of Ghana, but grander. o Mali had more territory. o More people. o More trade.

Royal officials had more responsibilities due to the size of the Mali Empire.

Royal court employed foreign born and native-born Muslims as administrators.

 ................
................

In order to avoid copyright disputes, this page is only a partial summary.

Google Online Preview   Download