Around 600 A.D. - Arab conquest of North Africa Gold salt trade (berbers traded) West Africa Ghana began around 500 A.D. (centralization) - 1200 A.D. Around Senegal river Fertile savanna, agriculture - yams, wheat & grains Later - with arab influence - rice Politically. Small farming villages. Village council to take care of affairs within the village. Representatives from villages report to the King.