Final answer:
The Ghana Empire was a powerful West African state, known for its wealth drawn from the gold and salt trade, and unique matrilineal succession. It was well-documented by Islamic scholars and traders, who were captivated by its riches and the splendour of its court.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Ghana Empire Overview
The Ghana Empire played a pivotal role in West African history from the 6th to 13th centuries, influencing its succeeding empires. This power base emerged from the matrilineal Soninke people, mainly the gold and salt trade that spurred the empire's wealth. The rulers of Ghana, referred to as 'Ghana' themselves, wielded total control over religious, judicial, military, and political matters in their realm, with the crown being passed down through the female line, unlike European monarchies. Despite the mostly non-arable land, the region benefited from the salt and gold trade, which attracted attention from Muslim traders from the north, who documented the opulence of the empire's court and the wealth accumulated through these commodities.
Enthralling to Islamic scholars such as al-Hamdani and al-Bakri, the Ghana Empire's prosperity was legendary, attributed to its abundant gold mines. Although the empire began its decline by the end of the 11th century, its legacy endured, significantly influencing the rise of the subsequent Mali Empire and shaping the historical narrative of West African power dynamics and economy.
Witness to this grandeur were the eleventh-century Islamic eyewitnesses, who articulated not just the material wealth but also the culture and customs prevalent in the Ghana Empire, offering a glimpse into the sophisticated society that once thrived south of the Sahara.