Arabian and African Geography
This desert, located to the north of many West African kingdoms, was a key route for trade caravans traveling from the Mediterranean to the interior.
What is the Sahara Desert?
This term refers to followers of Islam, which means "those who submit to the will of Allah."
Who are Muslims?
This is the direction Muslims face when praying.
What is toward the Kaaba in Mecca?
The Ghana Empire was known for its wealth, which primarily came from the trade of this valuable metal.
What is gold?
This legendary king of Mali, known for his immense wealth and pilgrimage to Mecca, is one of the most famous rulers in West African history.
Who is Mansa Musa?
This city is the birthplace of the Prophet Muhammad and Islam's holiest city.
What is Mecca?
This is the holy book of Islam, believed to be the word of God as revealed to the Prophet Muhammad.
What is the Quran?
In Islam, "People of the Book" refers to followers of these religions who received earlier revelations through divine scriptures.
What are Judaism and Christianity
This Moroccan scholar and traveler visited West Africa in the 14th century, documenting his observations of the empire’s wealth, Islamic practices, and daily life.
Who is Ibn Battuta?
With the arrival of Islam in West Africa, this became the system where the son of the king became the ruler
What is patrilineal succession?
This is the largest peninsula in the world and the region home to the Arabian Desert.
What is the Arabian Peninsula?
This is the pilgrimage to Mecca that every Muslim is required to perform at least once in their lifetime if able.
What is Hajj?
This prophet is considered the father of monotheism and plays a central role in Islamic, Christian, and Jewish traditions
Who is Abraham (or Ibrahim)?
The Ghana Empire thrived by controlling this major trade route, connecting North Africa to sub-Saharan West Africa.
What is the Trans-Saharan Trade Route?
Mali’s embrace of Islam led to the introduction of this script, which was used to write religious texts, legal documents, and other works of scholarship.
What is Arabic?
This major West African city, once part of the Mali Empire, was renowned as a center for Islamic scholarship and was located near the edge of the Sahara.
What is Timbuktu?
This is the name of the fasting month where Muslims refrain from eating, drinking, and other activities from dawn to sunset.
What is Ramadan?
This term refers to the sayings and actions of the Prophet Muhammad, which serve as a guide for Muslims.
What is the Hadith?
The king of the Ghana Empire was chosen through this system where the king's sister’s son often took the throne.
What is matrilineal succession?
This practice, common in West African Islam, involves the use of charms for protection, a tradition that blends indigenous beliefs with Islamic teachings.
What is the use of talismans or amulets (known as "gris-gris")?
This region had secret gold mines, known for its importance in the trade network between the Sahara and the West African empires.
What is Wangara
This is the Arabic term for the declaration of faith, "There is no god but Allah, and Muhammad is His messenger."
What is the Shahada?
These are the two major sects of Islam.
What are Sunni and Shia?
The capital city of the Ghana Empire, known for its rich markets and trade routes, was called this.
What is Koumbi?
After the fall of the Mali Empire, this kingdom, located to the east, rose to power and eventually overtook Mali's control of the region.
What is the Songhai Empire?