Between which two rivers was ancient Ghana located?
Senegal and Niger Rivers
What were the two most important trade goods in Ghana?
Gold and salt
What three roles did Ghana’s king serve?
Head of army, chief judge, and religious leader
What was Ghana’s capital city and main trading center?
Kumbi
What religion did Mali’s kings adopt?
Islam
What modern countries include the area once ruled by Ghana?
Mali and Mauritania

What animal made desert trade possible?
Who could own gold nuggets in Ghana?
Only the king
What was the “silent barter” system?
Trading without speaking to protect gold’s location
Who was Mali’s most famous ruler?
Mansa Musa
What type of region is the Sahel?
A semi-desert between the Sahara and forests
How did Ghana’s kings become rich from trade?
They taxed goods entering and leaving
What does the name “Ghana” mean?
War chief
Why did silent barter benefit traders?
Allowed trade between people who spoke different languages
What year did Mansa Musa make his pilgrimage to Mecca?
1324 CE
Why was Ghana’s location ideal for trade?
It sat between North and West Africa’s trade routes
Why was salt valuable in West Africa?
It preserved food
How was Ghana’s royal line passed down?
Matrilineally (through the king’s sister’s son)

What was Taghaza famous for producing?
What city became a major center of Islamic learning in Mali?
Timbuktu
What natural features helped Ghana grow wealthy?
Access to rivers and trade routes
What did traders from North Africa bring to trade for gold?
Salt, copper, and cowrie shells
What were the three parts of Ghana’s army?
Regular, Reserve, and Elite forces
What was Wangara famous for producing?
Gold
What were two main reasons for Mali’s decline?
Internal conflict and shift in trade routes
How did Ghana’s and Mali’s locations help them grow powerful and wealthy?