Geography
Few large settlements developed in the Sahara because the environment was too...
(Answer: Dry/Hot )
Islam was first introduced to West Africa by these people.
(Answer: Muslim caravan traders )
Before writing was introduced, West Africans preserved their history through this practice.
(Answer: Oral tradition )
This term describes a city that rules over other lands and cities to provide protection and organize trade.
(Answer: An empire )
Early travelers often described the Empire of Ghana as a "land of" this resource.
(Answer: Gold )
This is the best example of oral tradition: a grandfather doing what?
(Answer: Telling a story about his childhood )
This major river served as a vital transportation route and source of fertile soil for West African civilizations.
(Answer: The Niger River )
This is the main reason Islam was able to spread so easily in the Empire of Mali.
(Answer: People blended Islam with their traditional religious practices )
These poet-musicians were responsible for memorizing and passing down stories and family histories.
(Answer: Griots )
This was a primary advantage for a small village of becoming part of a larger empire.
(Answer: Getting protection from raiders )
These were the two most important goods traded on the Trans-Saharan trade routes.
(Answer: Gold and Salt )
In many early West African settlements, these groups would choose a leader to help the village grow.
(Answer: Extended families )
This transitional vegetation zone is located between the dry Sahara and the wetter savannas.
(Answer: The Sahel )
This famous Mali ruler made a pilgrimage to Mecca, which helped connect West Africa to the rest of the Islamic world.
(Answer: Mansa Musa )
This city became a world-renowned center of learning, housing libraries, scholars, and universities.
(Answer: Timbuktu )
This is the name for the payment (in gold, goods, or labor) that conquered cities paid to a king.
(Answer: Tribute )
This animal revolutionized Trans-Saharan trade after 300 C.E. because it could carry heavy loads with little water.
(Answer: The Camel )
As trade grew, this social change often occurred in West Africa, leading to the formation of kingdoms.
(Answer: Cities grew rich and conquered other cities )
Explain why people living in different vegetation zones, like the savanna and the rainforest, traded with one another.
(Answer: Because different resources were found in each zone )
Under the Songhai Empire, government and law were improved by utilizing principles from this religion.
(Answer: Islam )
Most of the earliest books in West Africa were written in this language.
(Answer: Arabic )
These two strong leaders were responsible for building the powerful army and organized government of Songhai.
(Answer: Sunni Ali and Askia Muhammad )
This was the primary method Ghana used to raise money and become a wealthy empire.
(Answer: Taxing goods/traders )
These specific individuals in West African society were the ones who used Arabic to keep records of trade and law.
(Answer: Scholars and government leaders )
Merchants traveling the Trans-Saharan trade routes faced several environmental and human dangers.
give three examples
(Answer: Extreme heat, sandstorms, dehydration, and raiders/bandits...)
Identify one way the adoption of Shariah law changed the government system in Mali.
(Answer: It changed the inheritance system or centralized control )
West African folktales eventually reached the Americas because of this historical event.
(Answer: Enslaved Africans brought their stories with them )
Ghana used the money raised from taxing traders to pay for these two specific government needs.
(Answer: Government officials and the army )
Describe the process of "Silent Barter" and why it was used by Ghana’s merchants.
(Answer: Trading without meeting face-to-face; used to keep the location of gold mines secret )
Beyond trade, what was the "social" result of caravan traders visiting West African cities?
(Answer: The sharing of ideas, beliefs, and culture )