Lesson 31:Early Societies in West Africa
What is one of the major reasons why people from different vegetation zones might trade?
Get resources/food not in their area
The Ghana Empire was very rich. Being able to raise an army, protect trade routes, pay government officials through them doing what with the Trans-Saharan trade?
Tax goods coming into and leaving their empire
Without a printing press, how did the University of Sankore make books for their library?
Copied books by hand
Due to the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade folktales made their way from West Africa to?
the Americas
The Islamic holy text is known as the ?
Qur'an
Some of the first villages established in West African were south of the Sahara. Why was this?
To farm/ desert is too dry
With West African's having oral traditions some of the earliest writings about the Ghana Empire come from who?
Arab scholars
The Mande people rose to power after Ghana. Through their control of the Trans-Saharan trade they were able to build what empire?
Mali
The main job of a griot is?
keeping records
Which product of West Africa was most important in the trade across the Sahara?
Gold
The West African village of Dhar Tichitt was discovered with high walls built around the village. This suggests what?
they had to defend against outside attacks
After about 300 CE Arabs introduced what transporter that greatly increased the Trans-Saharan trade?
Camels
Muslims generally showed tolerance toward traditional religious practices, how did this help spread Islam?
Blended Islam with their traditional religion
With West Africans practicing oral traditions most of the earliest books were written in?
Arabic
This style of music has influenced many American musical styles, including gospel, jazz, blues, rock and roll, and rap?
Call and response
Archaeologist were able to determine that the ancient city of Jenne-Jeno existed for more than ________ years?
1600
Islam spread throughout West Africa in the 600 CE. Although Muslims were not able to take over the Trans-Saharan trade many stayed in the area to become what?
Merchants
In the 11th century this Islamic group shortly gained control of Ghana, after they captured Kumbi in 1076, under their rule Islam became more widespread?
Almoravids
What item was often worn by West African dancers in rituals or ceremonies?
Masks
He was said to be the richest man ever, the ruler of Mali. He took a hajj, or pilgrimage, to to the city of Mecca?
Mansa Musa
Which technology did the Nok people adopt as early as 500BCE?
Ironworking
To which group did Kumbi (Ghana's capital) fall in 1240?
the Mande people of Mali
What is the name of the group of people led by Sunni Ali that broke away from Mali by force?
Songhai
Which West African civilization is known for creating kente cloth?
Ghana
What do they call the region south of the Sahara? (a semi desert with enough water to support grasses, some small bushes, and trees)
Sahel