Powerful Kingdoms
This was the first major West African empire known for trading gold and salt
What is Ghana
This was the most valuable trade item in West Africa, along with gold
What is Salt
This religion spread to Africa through trade and became popular in West Africa.
What is Islam
This saddle helped traders ride camels across the desert.
What is the camel saddle
This king of Mali gave away gold on his journey to Mecca.
Who is Mansa Musa
This African empire was ruled by Mansa Musa and became very rich.
What is Mali
Merchants used this desert to trade gold and salt between West and North Africa.
What is the Sahara
These storytellers passed down African history through spoken word.
What are griots
This kingdom built large stone buildings without using mortar.
What is Great Zimbabwe
This leader of Songhai made his empire strong and followed Islamic law.
Who is Askia Muhammad
This was the last major West African empire, famous for its strong army.
What is Songhai
These strong animals helped traders cross the hot desert.
What are Camels
This Mali city became famous for its schools and libraries.
What is Timbuktu
Scholars in Timbuktu studied this to help guide travelers at night.
What is astronomy
This Ghanaian king controlled the gold trade and had a powerful army.
Who is Tunka Manin
This southern African kingdom built huge stone walls and traded gold.
This trade route connected Africa to India and the Middle East by sea.
What is the Indian Ocean Trade Route
This large mosque in Mali is made out of mud bricks.
What is the Great Mosque of Djenne
These tools helped African farmers grow more food.
What are iron tools
This explorer traveled to Africa and wrote about what he saw.
Who is Ibn Battuta
These city-states on Africa’s east coast became rich from Indian Ocean trade.
What are the Swahili city states
This type of ship helped African traders travel across the ocean.
What is dhow
Some African societies traced their family history through their mother’s side.
What is matrilineal descent
This special type of sail helped traders catch the wind on the ocean.
What is a lateen sail
This Ethiopian ruler built churches carved into rock.
Who is King Lalibela