The Empire of Ghana (750-1068) was located in what is now southeastern Mauritania and the western part of Mali, south of the Sahara, in the middle valley of the Senegal River. Although the oral traditions speak mostly of the Soninké of Wagadu, apparently, other Soninke formed other prestigious kingdoms in the region, such as Kaarta, Gajaaga and Gidimaxa. Each of these kingdoms was ruled by the "tunka" or king, the only one who was the "owner or master of force" or power, the "fankama". It is believed that several kingdoms emerged in this part of Africa after the processes of political centralization triggered by the drastic economic changes that occurred during the eighth century in the Sahel and Sahara regions. It was the time of the introduction of the camel and the Arab way of life in the region and of a commercial revolution based on shipments of gold, ivory and salhacia North Africa, the Middle East and Europe in exchange for various goods. By enriching the Empire of Ghana, the Transaharino trade was able to expand and gain control of important trade routes.
