Social Studies African Empires

List examples of oral traditions.

A grandfather telling a story about his childhood to his grandchildren.

Islam was first brought to West Africa by _________.

Carvan traders

For what was the city of Timbuktu especially well known?

Community of scholars

Few large settlements developed in the Sahara because it was too __________.

Dry

What is the best title for this list? - Ghana - Mali - Songhai

Early West African Kingdoms

List advantages of becoming part of an empire.

Getting protection from raiders.

Which product from the West African forests was most important in the trade across the Sahara?

Gold

African storytellers who memorize and recite the names and histories of their people.

Griot

What religion did the leaders of Mali and Songhai practice?

Islam

How did the Niger River encourage trade?

It was a transportation route.

What did extended-family groups do for defense against dangerous floods or enemies?

Joined together to form villages

hand-woven, brightly colored fabrics produced by African societies.

Kente

How did West Africans preserve their history before writing was introduced?

Oral Traditions

What is the main reason why people in different vegetation zones traded with each other?

People needed resources that were only found in other zones.

List reasons silent barter was useful

Silent barter allowed people who did not speak the same language to trade, Silent barter ensured that trading was peaceful and that locations of mines remained secret and Silent barter helped the kingdom of Ghana become wealthy.

Why did extended-family groups first settle south of the Sahara?

To farm

Rulers collected it from people they conquered. It was a sign that the conquered people accepted the king's authority.

Tribute

Masks were often worn by ___________

dancers in ritual ceremonies.