AFRICAN CIVILIZATIONS 600-1800s Political Varied geography (coastal, savanna, desert, rainforest acting as a mirror like image moving out from the equator) = diverse cultures Power shared among village people (decisions by consensus and councils) Powerful trading empires of west developed ? Ghana, Mali, & Songhai (West African Kingdoms) Ghana: 800 -1000; $ from gold trade, Muslim influences (military, gov?t, Arabic writing, architectural styles) but distinct culture preserved Mali: 1200-1450; conquers Ghana, most powerful ruler was Mansa Musa (converted to Islam, based laws on the Quran, went on hajj), Timbuktu (center of Muslim learning) Songhai: 1450-1600; largest West African state, efficient bureaucracy