West AfricaWest Africa

Ancient Ghana: Empire of Gold, Ancient Ghana: Empire of Gold, pages 44-48pages 44-48

1. Name the clan that the 1. Name the clan that the Kingdom of Ghana came Kingdom of Ghana came from. from.

The Kingdom of Ghana came from the The Kingdom of Ghana came from the Soninke Soninke clanclan and rose to power around 500 CE. and rose to power around 500 CE.

2. Name the two rivers that benefited Ghana.2. Name the two rivers that benefited Ghana. The The NigerNiger and and SenegalSenegal rivers were a great rivers were a great

asset to the development of Ghana. asset to the development of Ghana.

3. What two resources made Ghana 3. What two resources made Ghana wealthy?wealthy?

The The Gold and Salt tradeGold and Salt trade made Ghana wealthy. made Ghana wealthy.

4. How did Arab writers 4. How did Arab writers describe Ghana? describe Ghana?

Ghana had the Ghana had the richest gold mines on earthrichest gold mines on earth according to Arab traders.according to Arab traders.

5. How did traders make Ghana wealthy?5. How did traders make Ghana wealthy? The traders had to The traders had to pay taxespay taxes when they entered when they entered

and left the kingdom, in salt, iron, silks and and left the kingdom, in salt, iron, silks and spices. spices.

7. Describe the role of the king 7. Describe the role of the king of Ghana.of Ghana.

Known as Known as GhanasGhanas, which means “warrior , which means “warrior king.”king.”

Most powerful and Most powerful and father of the Soninke father of the Soninke people.people.

Religious leader, chief of army and Religious leader, chief of army and highest judge of the land.highest judge of the land.

Wealthy from taxes on the trade. Wealthy from taxes on the trade.

6. What was the capital of 6. What was the capital of Ghana? Describe it.Ghana? Describe it.

Kumbi-SalehKumbi-Saleh was the capital of Ghana. was the capital of Ghana. Located on the Saharan trade route.Located on the Saharan trade route. Two city centers: The north was Muslim Two city centers: The north was Muslim

traders, lawyers, religious leaders and traders, lawyers, religious leaders and teachers; The south was the royal palace. teachers; The south was the royal palace.

In-between the two centers were the city In-between the two centers were the city residents. residents.

8. Define Tribute:8. Define Tribute: A donation given as a sign of respect or to ensure peace A donation given as a sign of respect or to ensure peace

and protection. and protection.

9. According to the Soninke people, what was the 9. According to the Soninke people, what was the best way to respect their ancestors? best way to respect their ancestors?

The best way to respect your ancestors was to “live a The best way to respect your ancestors was to “live a descent life”. descent life”.

10. How was success measured by the people of 10. How was success measured by the people of Ghana?Ghana?

By the productivity of the farm. By the productivity of the farm.

11. Identify Almoravids. 11. Identify Almoravids. The Spanish name of a Muslim dynasty The Spanish name of a Muslim dynasty

in North Africa and Spain. in North Africa and Spain.

1. How did the farming villages of Ghana unite 1. How did the farming villages of Ghana unite the people of Ghana?the people of Ghana?

The farming villages The farming villages united the peopleunited the people because farmers in different villages because farmers in different villages produced different cropsproduced different crops, so they , so they tradedtraded goods goods among themselvesamong themselves. .

Men and women divided the labour and Men and women divided the labour and everyone worked everyone worked together to make the together to make the villages successful. villages successful.

2. In what ways are the records written by the 2. In what ways are the records written by the Arabs (who traded with Ghana) valuable Arabs (who traded with Ghana) valuable

sources of primary evidence?sources of primary evidence?

Arab records are valuable sources of Arab records are valuable sources of primary evidence because they are primary evidence because they are first-first-hand accounts that document eventshand accounts that document events that took place in the kingdom of Ghana at that took place in the kingdom of Ghana at the time. the time.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3x-IwaVhnmohttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3x-IwaVhnmohttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3x-IwaVhnmohttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3x-IwaVhnmo

Mali:Mali:

The Golden AgeThe Golden Age

1. Define sorcerer.1. Define sorcerer. A living person who possesses special A living person who possesses special

knowledge that allows him or her to use the knowledge that allows him or her to use the spiritual powers of the ancestors. spiritual powers of the ancestors.

2. Who was Sundiata? 2. Who was Sundiata? A A powerful sorcererpowerful sorcerer who defeated the Sosso who defeated the Sosso

ruler Samaguru in an epic battle. ruler Samaguru in an epic battle. He He expanded the empireexpanded the empire with a powerful army with a powerful army

and took control of the trade routes across the and took control of the trade routes across the Sahara.Sahara.

He taxed all the trade transactions He taxed all the trade transactions which give Mali great wealth.which give Mali great wealth.

3. How did the Arabic language help the 3. How did the Arabic language help the traders?traders?

It allowed them to It allowed them to write contractswrite contracts and and keep keep written recordswritten records of their trade. of their trade.

4. How did the Mandinke griot describe 4. How did the Mandinke griot describe Sundiata? (Figure 2.17)Sundiata? (Figure 2.17)

He is known as the He is known as the Lion KingLion King. . As a child, he was unable to speak or As a child, he was unable to speak or

walk until 7 years old; but walk until 7 years old; but magically was cured and became a magically was cured and became a great warrior and ruler. great warrior and ruler.

5. Describe the difference between men and 5. Describe the difference between men and women in Mali. women in Mali.

Boys were apprentices in castesBoys were apprentices in castes (a hereditary (a hereditary social class) of their family, or social class) of their family, or joined the army.joined the army.

GirlsGirls were raised to become were raised to become wiveswives and and mothersmothers; They were ; They were not equal.not equal.

The girl’s father decides who she was to marry.The girl’s father decides who she was to marry. Men could divorce and have as many wives as Men could divorce and have as many wives as

they wanted.they wanted.

If a woman committed If a woman committed adultery, she was put to adultery, she was put to death. death.

7. How does the map on page 51 (Figure 2.19) 7. How does the map on page 51 (Figure 2.19) reflect the Europeans’ view of the Mali empire?reflect the Europeans’ view of the Mali empire?

Only saw Africa for its resources and as a Only saw Africa for its resources and as a place to conqueror. place to conqueror.

6. Who was Mansa Musa?6. Who was Mansa Musa?

King of MaliKing of Mali; His reign was the Golden ; His reign was the Golden Age of Mali.Age of Mali.

He was a devout He was a devout MuslimMuslim who established who established Mali as a powerful kingdom.Mali as a powerful kingdom.

On a On a pilgrimagepilgrimage to to Mecca, he gave Mecca, he gave away so much away so much goldgold that world gold that world gold prices fell.prices fell.

8. Why did Mansa Musa think it was important 8. Why did Mansa Musa think it was important to maintain religious freedom in Mali?to maintain religious freedom in Mali?

When he tried to convert Mali to Islam, When he tried to convert Mali to Islam, miners refused to work. miners refused to work.

It would have caused internal conflict in It would have caused internal conflict in the kingdom. the kingdom.

1. What made Timbuktu famous? What impact do you 1. What made Timbuktu famous? What impact do you think the idea of a city of great wealth in Africa might think the idea of a city of great wealth in Africa might have had on Europeans? have had on Europeans?

The city of Timbuktu was famous as an The city of Timbuktu was famous as an important important centre for education, business, and culture.centre for education, business, and culture. People People travelled great distances to study at Timbuktu’s travelled great distances to study at Timbuktu’s university in subjects such as medicine, mathematics, university in subjects such as medicine, mathematics, astronomy, government, conflict resolution, chemistry, astronomy, government, conflict resolution, chemistry, and law.and law.

Foreigners also marvelled at the Foreigners also marvelled at the architecturearchitecture of of Timbuktu.Timbuktu.

Europeans may have felt inferior Europeans may have felt inferior to the people of Mali because at to the people of Mali because at that time there were no cities of that time there were no cities of such grand stature in Europe. such grand stature in Europe.

http://http://www.youtube.com/watch?vwww.youtube.com/watch?v=Yzy_E4ggcvA&feature==Yzy_E4ggcvA&feature=PlayList&pPlayList&p

=A411B1E9116255DB&index=0=A411B1E9116255DB&index=0

Songhai:Songhai:

Land of RoyaltyLand of Royalty

1. 1. True or False Songhai was the second largest True or False Songhai was the second largest kingdom of the West African civilizations. kingdom of the West African civilizations.

FalseFalse, it was the largest civilization in Western Africa. , it was the largest civilization in Western Africa.

2. Who was the king of Songhai and why did he 2. Who was the king of Songhai and why did he conquer Mali?conquer Mali?

Sonni AliSonni Ali was the king. was the king. He conquered He conquered MaliMali in order to control in order to control

the Sahara trade routes.the Sahara trade routes. Timbuktu’s importance as an intellectual Timbuktu’s importance as an intellectual

center and Djenne’s gold and ivory would center and Djenne’s gold and ivory would allow Songhai to thrive in trade and allow Songhai to thrive in trade and commerce. commerce.

3. Why did Sonni Ali become an enemy of Islam?3. Why did Sonni Ali become an enemy of Islam? Although he took a Muslim name, he killed Muslim Although he took a Muslim name, he killed Muslim

scholars who did not respect Songhai religion. scholars who did not respect Songhai religion.

4. Who was Mohammed Askia? 4. Who was Mohammed Askia? He became He became kingking of Songhai of Songhai He He embraced Islamembraced Islam He allowed Songhai traditions to be practised He allowed Songhai traditions to be practised Restored Timbuktu as an important center Restored Timbuktu as an important center

of Islamic scholarship.of Islamic scholarship. Made Songhai a more equitable societyMade Songhai a more equitable society He encouraged Islamic education.He encouraged Islamic education.

5. Why was Djenne highly regarded?5. Why was Djenne highly regarded?

Because of its medical knowledge and Because of its medical knowledge and practices. practices.

Doctors discovered mosquitoes caused Doctors discovered mosquitoes caused malaria and they performed eye surgery. malaria and they performed eye surgery.

6. A. How were slaves obtained?6. A. How were slaves obtained? Horses, spices, and cloth were exchanged for Horses, spices, and cloth were exchanged for

captives of war, prisoners, enemies and captives of war, prisoners, enemies and criminals.criminals.

Muslim leaders raided nearby provinces. The Muslim leaders raided nearby provinces. The captured and sold people who practiced African captured and sold people who practiced African religions. religions.

B. How did some people B. How did some people prevent themselves from prevent themselves from being captured?being captured?

They converted to Islam to They converted to Islam to protect themselves because protect themselves because under Islamic Law, free Muslims under Islamic Law, free Muslims could not be enslaved.could not be enslaved.

C. How were slaves C. How were slaves important to trade in important to trade in Songhai?Songhai?

Arabian and Moroccan Arabian and Moroccan merchants used slaves merchants used slaves as porters to carry goods. as porters to carry goods. Those who survived the Those who survived the trip across the desert trip across the desert were sold at markets as were sold at markets as bodyguards, soldiers and bodyguards, soldiers and household servants. household servants.

1. In what ways did the rulers of Songhai 1. In what ways did the rulers of Songhai demonstrate their religious tolerance?demonstrate their religious tolerance? Sonni Ali demonstrated religious tolerance by Sonni Ali demonstrated religious tolerance by respecting respecting

the traditions of the Songhai people even through he the traditions of the Songhai people even through he accepted Islam into his own life.accepted Islam into his own life. He did not tolerate He did not tolerate Muslim scholars who did not respect these traditionsMuslim scholars who did not respect these traditions..

Like Ali, Mohammad Askia demonstrated religious Like Ali, Mohammad Askia demonstrated religious tolerance by allowing Songhai traditions to be practiced tolerance by allowing Songhai traditions to be practiced even though he was a devout Muslim. even though he was a devout Muslim.

He chose not to force Islam on his He chose not to force Islam on his non-Muslim subjects even though non-Muslim subjects even though the daily work of the kingdom was the daily work of the kingdom was based on Islamic traditions, laws based on Islamic traditions, laws and beliefs. and beliefs.

2. In your opinion, what factors contributed to the 2. In your opinion, what factors contributed to the success of the Songhai Empire?success of the Songhai Empire?

Was a direct result of its gold and ivory Was a direct result of its gold and ivory resources.resources.

Was due to the leadership of Sonni Ali and Was due to the leadership of Sonni Ali and Mohammad Askia.Mohammad Askia.

Was because of Askia’s commitment to Was because of Askia’s commitment to education.education.

Was due to Timbuktu’s success as a centre of Was due to Timbuktu’s success as a centre of science, religious, culture, and learningscience, religious, culture, and learning

Was because of Djenne’s Was because of Djenne’s medical knowledge and medical knowledge and technology.technology.

3. What impact do you think the 3. What impact do you think the destruction of Timbuktu had on West destruction of Timbuktu had on West Africa?Africa?

The destruction of Timbuktu had a devastating effect on The destruction of Timbuktu had a devastating effect on West Africa because the people who captured Timbuktu West Africa because the people who captured Timbuktu did not value it and did not maintain its success. did not value it and did not maintain its success.

Timbuktu fell into decline and lost its status as a great Timbuktu fell into decline and lost its status as a great centre of learning. This loss of status and distinction centre of learning. This loss of status and distinction may have had a demoralizing effect on the people.may have had a demoralizing effect on the people.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5QvdwCryAIM&fhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5QvdwCryAIM&feature=relatedeature=related

Great Great Zimbabwe Zimbabwe

The House The House of Stoneof Stone

Lost Kingdoms of Africa:Lost Kingdoms of Africa:ZimbabweZimbabwe

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dBbMxJhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dBbMxJuAQY0uAQY0

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l9jlPNVhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l9jlPNVnKWA&feature=relatednKWA&feature=related

1. What was strategic about Great Zimbabwe’s 1. What was strategic about Great Zimbabwe’s location?location?

It was located between the It was located between the ZambeziZambezi and and LimpopoLimpopo Rivers.Rivers.

It linked the It linked the goldfieldsgoldfields of the African interior of the African interior with the east coast with the east coast trading port of Sofala. trading port of Sofala. From here the gold From here the gold was shipped to Persia, was shipped to Persia, India and China in India and China in exchange for silks, exchange for silks, spices, cotton and spices, cotton and porcelain. porcelain.

The first settlers were ancestors of the The first settlers were ancestors of the present day ___________ people. present day ___________ people.

Shona People.Shona People.

3. What did archaeologists conclude 3. What did archaeologists conclude about Great Zimbabwe?about Great Zimbabwe?

It was a It was a religious centerreligious center where where Mwari, the Supreme Shona god Mwari, the Supreme Shona god was revered. was revered.

Birds were royal emblems and Birds were royal emblems and became a powerful symbol.became a powerful symbol.

4. Why were Africans origins denied?4. Why were Africans origins denied? Similar structure were not seen in AfricaSimilar structure were not seen in Africa Some excavations removed prove that the Some excavations removed prove that the

Africans built it.Africans built it.

5. What does 5. What does Great Zimbabwe Great Zimbabwe mean?mean?

Houses of StonesHouses of Stones

6. What were the three 6. What were the three main structures of Great main structures of Great Zimbabwe?Zimbabwe?

The Hills Complex, The Hills Complex,

the Great Enclosure, the Great Enclosure,

and the Valley Ruins.and the Valley Ruins.

7. What caused Great 7. What caused Great Zimbabwe to decline?Zimbabwe to decline?

Gold trade moved and gold Gold trade moved and gold supplies ran out.supplies ran out.

Grazing lands were Grazing lands were exhausted, trees were gone exhausted, trees were gone and soil eroded.and soil eroded.

Why do you think Europeans refused to believe that Why do you think Europeans refused to believe that the buildings of Great Zimbabwe were build by the buildings of Great Zimbabwe were build by

Africans? Africans?

They did not believe Africans had They did not believe Africans had the the skill or technologyskill or technology to build such to build such carefully constructed buildings. carefully constructed buildings.

Europeans assumed they had been Europeans assumed they had been built by built by foreign travelersforeign travelers. .

This attitude reflected European This attitude reflected European feelings of feelings of superioritysuperiority and their and their arrogance toward other cultures arrogance toward other cultures they believed to be inferior to their they believed to be inferior to their own. own.

Swahili Swahili City-States:City-States:

Ancient Ancient CrosswordsCrosswords

1. What is Swahili culture? Bantu? 1. What is Swahili culture? Bantu? Arabs? Arabs?

SwahiliSwahili culture: Integrated Bantu- culture: Integrated Bantu-speaking peoples and Arabsspeaking peoples and Arabs

BantuBantu: Farmers and cattle : Farmers and cattle herders from the African herders from the African interior interior

ArabsArabs: Merchants and : Merchants and traders from Ethiopia traders from Ethiopia

2. Identify Kiswahili.2. Identify Kiswahili. A Bantu language mixed with Arab A Bantu language mixed with Arab

elements, from the Arab word elements, from the Arab word Sawahil, meaning coast.Sawahil, meaning coast.

3. How were Swahili people linked?3. How were Swahili people linked? They were linked by a They were linked by a common languagecommon language and and

Islamic faith.Islamic faith.

4. How did the Islamic faith connect the 4. How did the Islamic faith connect the people to the rest of the world?people to the rest of the world?

Through Through tradetrade, which also brought wealth and , which also brought wealth and prosperity.prosperity.

5. How did they maintain strong ties with 5. How did they maintain strong ties with their trading partners?their trading partners?

Swahili merchants often arranged Swahili merchants often arranged marriages between their marriages between their childrenchildren and and those of Arab, Asian and African traders.those of Arab, Asian and African traders.

Blood RelationsBlood Relations strengthened their strengthened their commercial alliances commercial alliances and added to their and added to their prosperity.prosperity.

6. Identify Kilwa.6. Identify Kilwa. Large trade center.Large trade center.

7. Identify Lamu.7. Identify Lamu. The oldest and best The oldest and best

preserved Swahili city.preserved Swahili city.

8. What caused the decline 8. What caused the decline of the Swahili-City.of the Swahili-City.

Portuguese conquered the Portuguese conquered the Swahili city-states and Swahili city-states and pushed the African traders pushed the African traders out of African trade.out of African trade.

1.Locate the Swahili city-states in your atlas. How did 1.Locate the Swahili city-states in your atlas. How did their coastal location benefit them?their coastal location benefit them?

The coastal location of the Swahili city-The coastal location of the Swahili city-states benefited them because it allowed states benefited them because it allowed them to trade with states in the Middle them to trade with states in the Middle East and Asia via the Indian ocean.East and Asia via the Indian ocean.

2. In what ways did Islam work as a 2. In what ways did Islam work as a unifying force in the Swahili city-states?unifying force in the Swahili city-states?

Islam was a unifying force in the Swahili city-sates Islam was a unifying force in the Swahili city-sates because religion kept their culture strong.because religion kept their culture strong.

They developed their own language, They developed their own language, Kiswahili, and recorded not only Kiswahili, and recorded not only their histories into the Kiswahili their histories into the Kiswahili language, but also the Qur’an. language, but also the Qur’an.

They created a literate population They created a literate population that could read their histories that could read their histories and religious texts. This enabled and religious texts. This enabled them to maintain their traditions them to maintain their traditions and values.and values.

West West Central Central AfricaAfrica

KingdomKingdom

of the of the

KongoKongo

On the lower Congo RiverOn the lower Congo River

Capital in Capital in MbanzaMbanza

King was the King was the ManikongoManikongo, which , which was a was a divine divine kingship.kingship.

Define Kingship: Define Kingship:

political & spiritual political & spiritual head of state.head of state.

Ancient-Ancient-Kikongo-Kikongo-speakingspeaking peoples peoples probably arrived in the probably arrived in the region from the north as region from the north as part of the larger part of the larger Bantu expansionBantu expansion. .

One of the large-scale One of the large-scale migrations that occurred migrations that occurred as a result of the as a result of the population growth that population growth that followed the introduction followed the introduction of iron tools.of iron tools.

WWas divided into as divided into six six provincesprovinces, each , each administered by a governor administered by a governor appointed by the Manikongo.appointed by the Manikongo.

Specialized skills in Specialized skills in farming & iron productionfarming & iron production, , which led to trade in salt and which led to trade in salt and

copper.copper.

Principal products of the Empire included Principal products of the Empire included ivory and hides, and later as trade ivory and hides, and later as trade flourished with Europeans, slaves.flourished with Europeans, slaves.

Shrines to the Shrines to the “spirits of the “spirits of the land”land” were located were located along the river.along the river.