Ghana, Mali and Songhai grew rich by taxing trade across the Sahara. Their power sat on gold, salt, and control of the routes.
The idea
Ancient Ghana was not the modern country. It lay between the Senegal and Niger rivers, and its rulers taxed the gold and salt that crossed their land. Mali rose later. Sundiata Keita is remembered as its founder, and Mansa Musa, in the fourteenth century, made a pilgrimage to Mecca that showed how much gold the empire could spare. Songhai became the largest of the three. Its capital was at Gao, and Timbuktu was a centre of learning. Askia Muhammad divided the empire into provinces so that distant towns still answered to the ruler.
A describe question wants more than a name. Name the kingdom, say where its wealth came from, and give one way the ruler controlled trade or the provinces. Do not mix ancient Ghana with the modern state. The empire ended long before the colonial Gold Coast took that name. If you are asked why these kingdoms grew, the answer is the trade routes, the tax on them, and a government that could protect them. A date you are sure of is worth giving. A date you invented is not.
The History tips guide sets out the papers, how to build a point with an example, and the mistakes that cost marks. WASSCE History tips
What earns the marks
Keep the three kingdoms apart. Gold and salt, not a vague "they were rich". Mansa Musa belongs to Mali, not to Songhai. Askia Muhammad belongs to Songhai. A comparison needs one point about each kingdom, not three sentences on the one you prefer. Ancient Ghana and modern Ghana are different places in time. Say so if the question could be read either way.
Practice questions
These are practice questions in the style of the paper, with a model answer and a mark scheme. They are not a promise of what your paper will ask.
1Question 1
4 marks
(a) Name two of the great West African kingdoms that controlled trade across the Sahara. (2 marks)
(b) State one source of wealth for either kingdom you named. (2 marks)
Model answer
(a) Mali and Songhai.
(b) Mali taxed the gold trade. Rulers took a share of the goods that passed through their land.
Mark scheme
One kingdom from Ghana, Mali or Songhai1 mark
A second kingdom, different from the first1 mark
A source of wealth, such as gold, salt or a tax on trade1 mark
The source is tied to the kingdom named, or to control of a route1 mark
2Question 2
4 marks
Explain two ways Askia Muhammad organised Songhai. (4 marks)
Model answer
He divided the empire into provinces, each under an official who answered to him. He also strengthened Islamic learning and law, with Timbuktu as a centre of study.
Mark scheme
Provinces, or officials governing distant towns2 marks
A second way, such as Islamic law, a standing army, or support for learning at Timbuktu2 marks
3Question 3
2 marks
Why is it a mistake to treat the ancient kingdom of Ghana as the same place as modern Ghana? (2 marks)
Model answer
The ancient kingdom was further north, between the Senegal and Niger rivers, and it ended centuries before the Gold Coast became the country called Ghana.
Mark scheme
Different place, or further north than the modern country1 mark
Different time: the kingdom ended long before the modern state1 mark
Practise History with Anna
More questions on this topic are inside glearn, marked as you answer, with the reason written out. The first ones need no account.
Mali. His pilgrimage to Mecca in the fourteenth century is the example examiners expect for Mali's wealth in gold. He was not a ruler of Songhai.
What should a describe answer include?+
The name of the kingdom, where its wealth came from, and one way the ruler controlled trade or the provinces. A list of names with no explanation is not a description. All WASSCE History past questions