Which of the following best describes a difference between Ghana and later West African states such as Mali and Songhai? Choose the best answer choice, and explain.
Responses
Mali and Songhai engaged trade through the trans-Saharan trade route, while Ghana promoted maritime trade along the Atlantic Ocean.
Mali and Songhai both converted to and promoted Islam as their faith, while there is no evidence people in Ghana converted.
Mali and Songhai both traded in gold, while Ghana primarily focused on the trade of salt and luxury goods.
Mali and Songhai forbade Islamic merchants and scholars from traveling within their empires, while Ghana allowed open trade with everyone.
The best answer choice is: Mali and Songhai both converted to and promoted Islam as their faith, while there is no evidence people in Ghana converted.
This describes a significant difference between Ghana and the later West African states of Mali and Songhai. While Mali and Songhai adopted Islam as their official religion and actively promoted it, Ghana did not have the same widespread conversion to Islam. This religious difference had implications for the cultural and social structures within each society, as well as their relationships with neighboring regions and trade partners.