Geography
Why was salt so valuable in history?
People use salt to survive in the hot climates and preserve food
The Kingdoms of West mainly made their money trading __________ and __________
Salt and Gold
The first major West African Kingdom of the Middle Ages was...?
Ghana
Who would be responsible for keeping history in the West African Kingdoms of the Middle Ages?
Griot
Name at least three types of climate zones that exist in West Africa?
Savannah/Desert, Grasslands, Sahel, RainForest
In what part of Africa were the Kingdoms of Ghana, Mali and Songhai located?
West Africa
Other than material goods, what was traded along the main trade route? Name at least two things.
Slaves, scholars, languages, and religion.
This kingdom was the last of the great West African Kingdoms during the Middle Ages...?
Songhai
People in Medieval Europe often thought of Africa as poor and simple. Were they correct?
Heck no!! The Medieval West African Kingdoms were awesome and super powerful!!
How did geography impact the growth of the different kingdoms?
They used the rivers to help supply water and as a mode of transportation. Natural resources like salt and gold became the main economic drivers. The desert kept them safe from invaders and was best known. The oceans and seas nearby provided opportunities to export and grow....etc.
What religion was practiced in these kingdoms?
Islam
What is the major trade route called that cut through West and North Africa?
The Trans-Saharan Trade Route/Caravan
The ______ empire was located in an agriculturally rich area along the upper Niger River and was the second-largest empire in Medieval Africa.
Mali
How was history primarily recorded in Ghana, Mali, and Songhai?
Orally, through stories
What kind of natural resources did they have (name at least two)?
Salt, gold, copper, iron, and ivory
Where did many of the scholars and government ideology come from?
The trans-Saharan trade route; the middle eastern traders who shared their stories and influence with the people of the West African Kingdoms
What West African city became the major center for learning?
Timbuktu
Who became king of Mali and was known as the richest man in the world. (hint: he is also remembered for his great pilgrimage to Mecca)
Mansa Musa
Were many people able to read and write in the West African Kingdoms of the Middle Ages?
No
What is the name of the larger and very important river that flows through West Africa?
The Niger River
The rulers of Mali came to be called ____. What was their title?
Mansa - meaning “emperor” or “king”
About how many camels were typically in a caravan?
500 - 1,500
Which African Kingdom ruled West Africa the longest?
Ghana
What type of system did they have set up for people to do jobs in the community? OR What was it called when one person does a specific job and gets really good at it?
Labor specialization