Orignated from groups of farmers. Later controlled major trade.

The empire of Ghana falls to the Almoravids. Overgrazing and rebellion helped the decline of Ghana.

SUndiata used the riches and power to created the Mali Empire. He also was the one to conquer Ghana.

Mansa Musa was in power. He gave out gold and made Mali famous.

Yoruba (Oyo) empire: It began in 1400 and ended in 1904.At its height from mid-seventeenth century to late eighteenth century. In Western Africa and had almost all of the Yoruba-speaking people under its control. Had a strong military and political system, and was the only African empire to use a cavalry.

Benin: 1440-1897. Ruled over an area that is now mostly Mid-western to western Nigeria. Traded with Europeans, had strong legion-based army

Mansa Musa's son, Maghan, was a weak ruler and led the way to Mali's Decline. Also the Tuareg invaded and destroyed Mail.

The Songhai Empire began after Mali's decline. Powerful people like Askia The Great were present during the reign of the Songhai Empire.

Moroccan invaders fight Songhai. They come armed with arquebuses.

West Africans pass on their history through oral histoy. People called griots are the ones who pass on the West African History.