Civilizations
Which African civilization built pyramids? HINT: Think about the Nile River Valley.
Egypt
What two goods made Ghana powerful? HINT: One sparkles, the other keeps food from spoiling.
Gold & Salt
Which religion spread across Africa via trade?
👉 Think about the faith connected to Mecca.
Islam
Before Europeans, African slavery was often…
👉 It wasn’t always permanent, and it wasn’t based on race.
Temporary / not racial
Why is Africa called the birthplace of humanity?
👉 Archaeologists found the earliest evidence here.
Earliest fossils & tools
Which two kingdoms were south of Egypt and influenced by it? HINT: Look just below Egypt on the map.
Nubia & Kush
Why were camels important? HINT: They’re called the “ships of the desert.”
Crossing deserts
How did oral traditions support society?
👉 They carried history without books.
Preserved history & values
After Europeans, slavery became…
👉 Think about plantations and race in the Americas.
Racial & permanent
Why is it important to study Africa before slavery?
👉 It shows a history of achievement, not just chains.
Shows Africa’s achievements
What made Axum unique? HINT: It’s one of the first African kingdoms to adopt a major world religion.
Christianity
Who was Mali’s most famous ruler?
👉 He’s remembered for a very expensive pilgrimage.
Mansa Musa
What did traditional African religions emphasize?
👉 Two main focuses: family and nature.
Ancestors & nature
What does “changed dramatically” mean about slavery?
👉 It shifted from flexible to harsh and racialized.
More brutal, racialized
Which two African kingdoms influenced Egypt?
👉 Both were directly south of Egypt and connected by the Nile.
Nubia & Kush
How did pharaohs combine politics & religion? HINT: They weren’t just kings; they were seen as something more.
Ruled as divine kings
What city became a center of learning & trade?
👉 Scholars and merchants met here; it’s in Mali.
Timbuktu
What role did women often play?
👉 Not just in homes—they worked in fields and markets too.
Farming, trade, local leadership
What does “not blank slates” mean about enslaved Africans?
👉 They didn’t come empty-handed—they brought culture.
Brought culture & skills
How did Mansa Musa’s journey impact Africa’s reputation?
👉 Other nations saw just how wealthy Mali was.
Showed Mali’s wealth
Which African civilization sometimes ruled Egypt itself? HINT: It took power during Egypt’s decline and used iron weapons.
Kush
Which kingdom succeeded Mali and controlled trans-Saharan trade?
👉 Starts with “S” and became one of West Africa’s largest empires.
Songhai
What was one way oral traditions were passed on?
👉 Think proverbs, folktales, and spoken storytelling.
Storytelling/proverbs
Why did the Atlantic trade grow?
👉 Huge farms across the ocean needed workers.
Plantations needed labor
Best title for this chapter?
👉 It’s the one that mentions Africa’s legacy before enslavement.
Before the Chains: Africa’s Achievements and Legacy