African Geography
This desert occupies the northern region of Africa and is one of the largest in the world
The Sahara Desert
What important "technology" did Ghana begin to use, which helped to increase its population, wealth, trade, and achievements in war?
Iron tools and weapons
This ruler of Mali was considered one of the richest people ever to live. His pilgrimage to Mecca helped to promote his empire to the rest of the world.
Mansa Musa
What rights did slaves in many African civilizations have?
Slaves could earn money of their own. Some bought their own freedom.
This region borders the desert in Africa. Although it is often dry, it does support plant and animal life.
The Sahel
This substance was used to preserve food and was needed by desert-dwelling people to survive, thus making it very valuable.
Salt
This empire was greatly enriched due to the gold and salt traders who were taxed by the government.
Mali (also Ghana and Songhai)
This type of social system meant that your ancestors and descendants were likely to work in the same sort of job (for example, farmers; fishermen; warriors; and others).
The caste system
This region has more rainfall than the north of Africa and is a large grassland with some trees. Many of the larges animals in the world, and many people, live in this region.
The Savannah
Salt was so precious, it was often traded for this
Gold
This West African city in the Songhai empire was an important place of Muslim learning and religious scholarship, as well as trade.
Timbuktu
Before the use of Arabic, stories in East and West Africa were often communicated to others this way:
Orally
This region can be found in many parts of central and southern Africa. It is the wettest region and supports many plants and animals in its jungles.
The rainforest
Mali was an important trade center to its being between the ___________ and the ______________, which meant that diverse goods from across Africa could be found there.
Sahara and the Savannah
This was an important trade center in east Africa that was situated close to the Red Sea, Arabia, and the Indian Ocean
Axum
What creature was a popular "trickster" god worshipped by many West Africans?
Anansi the Spider
Choose one: Africa is a...
a. continent
b. country
a. Continent. Get it right! Many people make this embarrassing mistake.
Camels were especially useful for the ______________ (region) trade due to their ability to store water and fat for long periods of time.
Trans-Saharan
This civilization near the origin of the Nile river in east Africa left steles and pyramids in order to commemorate their kings.
Kush
These people communicate by stories and songs in order to inform African villagers of their history, as well as about contemporary political events.
Griots