West Africa Study Guide
On which continent is West Africa located?
Africa
What religion was introduced by Arab traders?
Islam
In which city was salt mined?
Taghaza
How did the Sahara Desert have a positive impact on trade in West Africa?
The Taghaza salt mines were located there.
Which two products were the most valuable trade items for the kingdoms of West Africa?
gold and salt
What does the word mansa mean?
king
What are 5 benefits of West Africans embracing Islam?
language, Islam, government structure, education, decorative arts
What are 3 of West Africa's cultural legacies?
music, drumming, and dance
Before Islam, how did West Africa record their history?
through stories and songs
What continent is to the east of Africa?
Asia
How did the spread of Islam in West Africa affect the kingdoms in this area?
Brought a common language, education system, and organized government system.
What continent is to the north of Africa?
Europe
What were the 3 kingdoms of West African in chronological order?
Ghana, Mali, & Songhai
Why was Timbuktu an important city?
It was the center of learning with its university.
Who was an important leader of Mali who some claim is the richest person in history?
Mansa Musa
What group of people were the first to write about the kingdoms of West Africa?
Muslims from Arabia
What river runs through West Africa and was the center of trade?
Niger River
What is the largest desert on earth that is located in North Africa?
Sahara
What is one geographic similarity between the ancient African kingdoms of Ghana, Mali, and Songhai?
They were all in the middle of the trade routes.
What is the importance of drumming, dance, & song?
They were how West Africa told their history.
What was the value of gold vs. salt?
They were of equal value.
Gold mines were in what area?
Wangara
What animal helped increase trade across the Sahara?
camel
