A Short History of the early Ghana Empire (300 – 1200 AD)

The Ghana Empire started in 300 AD in Western Africa. It is also called the Wagadou Empire. The Ghana Empire from 300 AD to 700 AD was larger than the Ghana we know today. Under King Dinga Cisse, the Ghana Empire was given the name ‘Ghana.’ Ghana means ‘War Chief’ in the Mande language. The Mande language is important because the people living in the Ghana Empire were the Mande people. It was the Mande people who founded the Ghana Empire.

TRADE WAS AN IMPORTANT PART OF THE EARLY GHANA EMPIRE

The Ghana Empire was known as the ‘The Land of Gold.’ It was the most powerful state in Western Africa. It controlled a large part of West Africa. From its capital city Koumbi Saleh, the Ghana Empire looked after the trade of gold, salt and kola nuts. The Ghana Empire took salt and cloth from the Kingdom of Morocco in North Africa. The Ghana Empire gave gold and kola nuts to the Moroccan Kingdom. From the Moroccan Empire, gold would be sent to Europe, Asia and the Middle East.

The Ghana Empire also developed iron. Iron was used to make farming tools and weapons. The Empire had an army of over 200,000 soldiers. By 770 AD, the kings of the Ghana Empire had complete control over the trade routes of the Sahara. People had to pay tax to the kings of the Ghana Empire if they wanted to trade with West Africa.

WHILST EUROPE WAS IN THE DARK AGES, GHANA FLOURISHED AS AN EMPIRE

By 1000 AD, the Empire of Ghana had grown very large. It grew in all directions – north, east, south and west. The Empire of Ghana controlled 650,000 square kilometres of land, which is 3 times the size of Britain today. Because of this growth, the Ghana Empire was the most powerful empire in the region at its time.

The Empire’s wealth was incredible. At the time, Europe was in the Dark Ages and had disease, no education and war. But, the Ghana Empire was rich, well-educated and famous around the world.

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HARPIYA SINGH

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31 Comments

  1. Adnan 7 years ago February 12, 2017

    Nice story but very brief. Need to know more

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  2. Mark Niyonkuru 7 years ago February 13, 2017

    That’s awesome, could you be having a History on Rwanda?

    REPLY
    • rightforeducation 7 years ago February 21, 2017

      Dear Mark! Thank you so much for your comment. We are in the process of accumulating a variety of short histories on countries in Sub-Saharan Africa and we have forwarded your message about a history on Rwanda. Keep learning with us and also don’t forget to follow us on Facebook to receive the latest news on new content published on our site.

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      • Miguel Bumba 7 years ago February 23, 2017

        Great Zimbabwe and Angola too please.
        Thanks

        REPLY
  3. Ayubu mwaisumo 7 years ago February 13, 2017

    Thanks

    REPLY
  4. bakari 7 years ago February 14, 2017

    Nice. I love it!

    REPLY
  5. G.GANYANG LOK 7 years ago February 14, 2017

    That is great job from Ghana.

    REPLY
  6. Naa Ayeley quarshie 7 years ago February 15, 2017

    We must know more about ourselves!

    REPLY
  7. cornelius k. mwila 7 years ago February 18, 2017

    I love history

    REPLY
  8. Lawrence Akpagli 7 years ago February 21, 2017

    Happy to hear about ghana empire god bless our country

    REPLY
  9. Ayisi Ituka 7 years ago February 21, 2017

    Great info

    REPLY
  10. |Sadak Ali 7 years ago February 21, 2017

    wooow!!!!! thanks well done, and also I am waiting you the History of Somalia

    REPLY
    • rightforeducation 7 years ago February 23, 2017

      Dear Sadak! Thank you for your interest in our website. We are always delighted to hear feedback on what you, our audience, would like to read about. We have received your comment and will definitely make sure to soon publish a piece on the history of Somalia. Make sure to also follow us on Facebook to receive the latest updates on our content. All the best

      REPLY
  11. Ronald . M 7 years ago February 22, 2017

    History of Buganda Kingdom in East Africa ” how it was stated ” up to now.

    REPLY
    • rightforeducation 7 years ago February 23, 2017

      Dear Ronald! Many thanks for your comment and your interest in Right for Education. We have received your request and will make sure to soon publish a piece on the Buganda Kingdom in East Africa, so keep checking this site and don’t forget to follow us on Facebook to receive the latest updates on our publications! All the best to you!

      REPLY
  12. Ismail Abdullahi 7 years ago February 23, 2017

    we need to know our history, especially Eastafrica

    REPLY
  13. abdul hack 7 years ago February 24, 2017

    i never know about this till to day . thanks for the post

    REPLY
  14. muriel 7 years ago February 25, 2017

    thank you very much for this!

    REPLY
  15. Sunday Agok 7 years ago February 28, 2017

    I would love to read the history of South Sudanese during their dark days in the hands of Arabs oppression of Khartoum.

    REPLY
  16. Mursal abdi dandhbac 7 years ago March 4, 2017

    Thanks our dear friend its a wonderful history in Ghana!

    REPLY
  17. Ahmed 7 years ago March 5, 2017

    Lovely history

    REPLY
  18. AMOAKO 7 years ago March 6, 2017

    I WOULD LOVE TO KNOW MORE ABOUT GHANA
    ITS SO RICH

    REPLY
  19. Emmanuella Acheampong 7 years ago March 13, 2017

    We have a cute and lovable history

    REPLY
  20. Stephanie Frimpong 7 years ago April 5, 2017

    Ghana has a very nice history. Very gud

    REPLY
  21. Richard Ajavon 7 years ago July 1, 2017

    Thank you for the insightful information, a lot of Africans believe that until the white men came we were living on trees. Thank you and please publish more.

    REPLY
  22. Reagan Ronald 3 years ago May 18, 2021

    Yes, we must know who we are and where are going to be

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