WHI-Chap19-al-Bakri
In 1067 C.E., al-Bakri, a scholar from Muslim Spain, wrote a description of Ghana that provides us with their culture and common practices. At that time the capital of Ghana, Koumbi Saleh, appears to have been divided into two adjoining cities. One was occupied by the king and his court, surrounded by the dwellings of the people. This city also contained buildings for worship and shrines to the local deities. The adjoining city, containing mosques and houses, was inhabited by long-distance Muslim traders, religious leaders, and scholar. Al-Bakri also writes of the king's monopoly on the gold trade. The King owned all gold nuggets found and the people could gather as much gold dust as desired. Al-Bakri indicates that Ghana is a powerful and well-organized kingdom, dominated by the royal family, whose power rested on control of the trade and on the tribute collected from neighboring peoples.
Human Record Accounts
Created by: Hannah Worscheh
