Question

1. \in all matters of justice, law and order, the kings power was absolute\. cite two pieces of evidence that supports this statement.

ghanas power came from its ability to use iron weapons to control the trading of gold between west africa and north africa. thus, ghana exploited its geographic location and military power to tax individuals, who traded within its borders.

1. beyond worshiping an all - powerful god, what else did traditional african religions worship?
2. how did ghanas kings show respect for muslim travelers?
3. who are the almoravids and how did they change ghana?
4. what was being traded between north africa and west africa and how did ghana benefit from this exchange?

Explanation:

1. For the first question, the provided text gives one piece of evidence, and a second is inferred from the king's ability to enforce taxation with military power.
2. Traditional African religions centered on community and natural/ancestral connections.
3. Ghana's kings accommodated Muslim travelers' religious and practical needs.
4. The Almoravids were a militant Islamic group that seized control of Ghana's trade and imposed religious changes.
5. Gold and salt were the core traded goods, with Ghana profiting via taxation.

Answer:

1. 1) Ghana's kings used military power (iron weapons) to control cross-regional gold trade between West Africa and North Africa. 2) Ghana's kings imposed taxes on all traders operating within the kingdom's borders, using their military power to enforce this rule.
2. Traditional African religions also worshiped ancestral spirits, nature deities (such as gods of the sun, rain, or rivers), and local sacred entities tied to their communities and environments.
3. Ghana's kings showed respect for Muslim travelers by allowing them to build mosques, practice their religion freely, and providing safe passage and protection for them and their trade caravans.
4. The Almoravids were a conservative Islamic military group from North Africa. They invaded Ghana, seized control of key trade routes, forced the conversion of many Ghanaians to Islam, and ultimately weakened Ghana's political and economic power, leading to the decline of the kingdom.
5. Gold (from West Africa) and salt (from North Africa) were the primary goods traded between the two regions. Ghana benefited by imposing taxes on all trade caravans passing through its territory, accumulating wealth and strengthening its political power through control of this lucrative cross-regional trade.