Ghana
Mali
Songhai
Africa
Salt, Gold & Profit
100
What desert was located near the medieval Kingdom of Ghana?
Sahara Desert - this is where SALT is found!
100
What was the main religion of the medieval Kingdom of Mali?
Islam was the main religion for the medieval Kingdom of Mali.
100
What was the main religion of Songhai?
Islam.
100
What are griots?
Griots were West African storytellers and poets who recalled historical events and transmitted history and culture from one generation to the next.
They were really important because there was NO written language!
100
Why was salt so important in medieval West Africa?
1. It was essential for life - prevented dehydration!
2. Preserved food - helped slow food spoiling (there wasn't refrigeration back then!)
200
The medieval Kingdom of Ghana was founded by which two rivers?
Niger River & Senegal River
200
What was the name of the ruler of Mali who has been called the "richest man that ever lived?"
Mansa Musa
200
What type of government did all three medieval West African Kingdoms utilize?
Monarchy - they ALL had kings!
200
What is the name of the special, multi-colored cloth that is an important part of West African culture?
Kente Cloth
200
It was illegal for anyone other than the King of Ghana to have gold nuggets. What form of gold were other people allowed to trade?
Gold dust
300
What was the main religion practiced in medieval Ghana?
Animism
*The kingdom of Ghana never converted to Islam - it caused a civil war!
300
Which two cities became major trade and cultural centers during the medieval Kingdom of Mali?
Djenne & Timbuktu
300
What was the capital of the Songhai Empire?
Gao
300
What is the longest river in Africa (& the world!)?
Nile River
300
What was silent barter? Give two reasons why it was used.
Silent barter was a form of trade in West Africa where people didn't meet face-to-face to sell goods.
1. It was used to allow trade between people who didn't speak the same language.
2. It helped keep the gold mines secret.
400
If the Ghanaian King died, who inherited the throne?
Bonus: What did we call this method of inheritance?
Matrilineal Lineage - the oldest son of the king's sister would inherit the throne
*King's nephew would be the heir to the kingdom
400
What did Mansa Musa take with him on his pilgrimage to Mecca?
Bonus: As a devout Muslim, why did Mansa Musa go to Mecca?
Mansa Musa made the pilgrimage to Mecca because it is one of the FIVE PILLARS OF ISLAM.
He is said to have taken 60,000 men, 12,000 slaves, & 80 camels with about 300 lbs. of gold.
400
Name three reasons why the medieval Kingdom of Songhai fell.
1. Portuguese traders took control of gold mines
2. Changing trade routes (Atlantic Ocean)
3. Civil War
4. Attackes from northern Moroccan armies
400
How many different languages are spoken in Africa?
2,000 languages
400
What was the name of the camel that was domesticated for trade in the desert?
Bonus: What are THREE adaptations of the camel that makes it well-suited for the desert?
Dromedary Camel
Adaptations
fat storage in humps, long eyelashes, third eyelid, large feet, small ears, nostrils that can close
500
What was "Wagadu?"
Wagadu is the name that people from medieval Ghana called themselves. Outsiders began referring to the region as "Ghana" because that is what Ghanaian's called their kings.
500
Who founded the medieval Kingdom of Mali?
Sundiata Keita ("Lion King")
500
What year was the medieval Kingdom of Songhai defeated by the Morrocan army?
1591 CE
500
How many countries make up the continent of Africa?
54 countries
500
What was the capital of the medieval Ghana Kingdom?
Koumbi Saleh
