Overall Grade: B+ (Natalie N.)
I believe that the Ghana empire deserves a B+ as an overall grade. In comparison to the other kingdoms, Ghana exceeded greatly. It was viewed as extremely advanced in most all of the aspects. It was an exceptionally independent empire, and accomplished many things not yet completed by the other kingdoms. This evidence indicates that the Ghana empire was generally above average, therefore, righteously receiving a B+.

Ghana's Government (Tyler M.)

 I think Ghana's government deserves a C+ because they were a organized government, they had one main emporer and a lot of scattered communities with smaller rulers for them. Their main government expanded the trade and made their military a lot stronger so they could gain more land. The emporer, each day would allow people to publicly voice their complaints, this would give the king good ideas to make the Ghana empire better. The government freed the slaves so that made them a better empire because everybody could be known for their strenghts.

Ghana's Religion (Mackenzie V.)

   I would give Ghana’s religion a "C+" because Ghana’s religion is a mixture of supernatural and spiritual powers. The Ghanaians believed that plants and animals had spirits as well as humans and that these co-existed together. They believed that if they neglected their ancestors, that bad luck would be brought upon them. This meant that anytime something bad happened they believed it was their ancestors which led to them offering a sacrifice to please their ancestors. Then in the 9th century Islam was introduced to Ghana. Muslims came to trade and along with their goods came the Islamic religion. Many people practiced Islam along with other religions, and then in 1706 Almoravids (Muslims) conquered Ghana and tried to make the main religion Islam, but failed. By the 15th century, Christian missionaries from Portugal were known to be on the coast of Ghana, but until then the Empire consisted of Islam and traditional Ghanaian religious practices. Half of the town of Kumbi Saleh, which was the capital, was called El Ghana and was the traditional Ghanaian religious center of the town. The other half of the capital was the trading center or business district and since the Arab and Berber merchants were Muslim this side of town consisted of the Islamic faith.

Ghana Economy (Alexandria V.)

I give Ghana's economy a B+

 Ghana was very rich with gold; they lived right above a gold mine. Gold was one of Ghana's most typical traded goods. Gold had earned the Ghanaians a lot of their money. They also produced many other goods, such as diamond, bauxite, magnesium, and aluminum. Aluminum was a popular trade good as well as gold. Ghana is the second largest producer of cocoa in the world. Ghana had 'cash crops', the cash crops included; pineapple, banana, copra, and sweet potatoes. Like in the name, cash crops had increased Ghana’s income. The crops are five percent of the overall budget of Ghana. From the 700's, camels had brought products from the "Arabic World," all the way across the Sahara desert to Ghana. Camels would bring goods such as books, salt, textiles, and tools. They traded these goods with South Ghana with gold, ivory, and slaves.

The Ghanaians also traded with people from the United States, West & North Africa’s, Europeans, Arabs, and mainly with Great Britain. Ghana had two big sea trading ports; Tema and Takoradi. Also, two other cities used Ghana's trade ports which had increased the cities income. Ghana was an important trading state in West Africa from about 300-1000 A.D.When merchants and traders had come to Ghana, wanting to trade, there were many Ghana warriors protecting the Kings people/citizens. But the citizens were taxed, and the warriors protected them in return. They had to pay their tax in salt, iron, peacock feathers, fine silks, spices, and etc. In Ghana, about 750-1076 A.D, the king had created what is called, the 'Silent Barter System', it was a system started by Ghana, which did not include any communication between two trading kingdoms. Instead of meeting and fighting a price, gold would be left at a special place, and the traders would simply come and take it from that secret place. The trading kingdoms often could not speak the same language; so the 'Silent Barter System' was a very effective and useful way of trading. Ghana had also thought of another trading system called the Trans- Sahara Trade, and this is when Ghana traded with North Africans and Europeans. They traded Ghana with cloth, swords, books, and horses. The Arabs though, were bartering what the Ghanaians wanted most; salt. Ghana achieved most of its wealth from the Arabs. With this system, it is no wonder Ghana got rich so quickly. Islamic merchants then, had traveled through the desert to reach Ghana, but were taxed for what they brought in the country, and what they brought out. Ghanaians lives were improved by the way their region was trading because they were very wealthy with gold, and they had been trading it for lots of money. The Ghanaians were very happy with life. They were very lucky to be living above a gold mine.

Ghana's Art and Architecture (Natalie N.)

I believe that the art and architecture of the Ghana empire deserves a B+. The duration of the Ghana Empire and the Golden Age coincided. Trade rates thrived during this time, and the kingdom began acquiring abundant new resources, one being gold. Because of this, this empire was given the name "Land of Gold". The kingdom of Ghana advanced so high above other empires, that it became extremely wealthy. Some might even say that it could afford to clothe animals in gold, silk, and plush. Almost everyone lived in luxury. The people of Ghana resided in extravagant, elaborate buildings. Not only did these buildings exhibit excellent design and function, but incorporated messages and symbols that represented the spirit of their independence. Ghana was truly a very independent empire. It stood well on its own, and took pride in doing so. Most of this pride was expressed through art. Ghana generated a large collection of intricately crafted brass figures, and small sculptures. Though this kingdom produced plenty of complex and detailed art and architecture, the majority of it lacked the provision of benefit in society, and could be considered impractical. Given its supply of valuable resources, Ghana invested in complicated and unnecessary sculptures and buildings. The evidence of art exhibits incredible craftsmanship, but lacks the advantageous properties necessary for a kingdom to thrive in all aspects.

Ghana Technology (Colin D.)

  I give the technology of Ancient Ghana a A- because they were VERY advanced for their time. They created, and used things that no one has ever invented before. They were one of the first in Africa to create iron tools. They used them for many things. They used them for things like: Houses, buildings, carpentry, pottery, stone masonry, mining, and much more. They made a lot of money off of these iron tools, in fact they mined for gold and found so much that they made collars for their guard dogs out of some of the gold they mined. Also in ancient Ghana they had cloth manufacturing, which helped them make clothes. With the tools they had the cloth manufacturing was much easier also. Really the tools made everything easier, which is why they were so much more advanced than the other civilizations. They had tools, and items others did not. They were the richest country of the time because of their tools. They lived in rural eras, they were the only civilization with these tools and they achieved things they couldn't unless they had them and that it was made them the most technology advanced ancient civilization. So overall I give them and A- because by far they were the most technologically advanced and that helped them with everything compared to other civilizations.

Ghana's Society (Bridget W.)

I would give the Ancient Empire of Ghana a "B-" based on its quality of society they created. Ghana received this merely because they were slightly above average compared to other empires in the society category. Ghana had an extremely designated Cast system. There was a ruler- The emperor. Nobles- Fought in the emperor’s army, provided weapons, foot soldiers, and chariots. Farmers – Most people ended up into this cast. They worked on land that was owned by the nobles. Craftspeople- included bronze and jade workers, potters, and stonemasons. Traders- actually ranked under nobles and above farmers but were looked down upon because they produced no goods. That being said there was rarely any movement between social structures. This system was not useful because no one could reach their full potential, unless their full potential was what they were born into. Slaves- Worked for the emperor or wealthy people. Slaves were traded for textiles, beads, and other finished goods. This was not a great way to be treated. They viewed slaves not like humans but as an item, meaning they weren’t valued as much as others. There was no desire to improve on equality. They believed what was set now had no flaws and should say the same. Ghana was a strong empire with their ways until Ghana’s down fall occurred. Ghana's empire was strong but definitely not more powerful than other empires forming around them.
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