Instructions
Read through each section carefully and answer the questions to the best of your ability. These exercises will help you explore the fascinating history of the great empires of West Africa.
Part 1: Vocabulary Matching
Match the term in the left column with its correct definition in the right column. Write the letter of the definition on the line next to the term.
|
1. _____ Griot 2. _____ Sahel 3. _____ Mansa Musa 4. _____ Trans-Saharan Trade 5. _____ Timbuktu 6. _____ Savanna |
A. A vast network of trade routes that connected West Africa with the Mediterranean world, primarily for exchanging gold and salt. B. A city in Mali that became a world-renowned center for trade, learning, and Islamic culture. C. A West African storyteller, historian, and musician who preserved oral traditions and histories. D. An extremely wealthy emperor of the Mali Empire, famous for his pilgrimage to Mecca. E. A tropical grassland with scattered trees, which covers large parts of Africa. F. A semi-arid region of vegetation that stretches across Africa, separating the Sahara Desert from the wetter savanna. |
Part 2: The Empires of Gold & Salt
The empires of Ghana, Mali, and Songhai grew powerful by controlling the trade of two essential goods: gold from West Africa and salt from the Sahara Desert. Read the statements below and fill in the blanks with the correct empire (Ghana, Mali, or Songhai).
- The _______________ Empire was the first of the great West African trading empires. Its kings were known as "lords of the gold."
- Under the rule of Mansa Musa, the _______________ Empire became famous throughout the world for its incredible wealth and its promotion of education and Islam.
- The city of Timbuktu reached its peak as a center of learning and trade during the _______________ Empire.
- The _______________ Empire was the largest and most powerful of the three West African empires, conquering its neighbors and taking control of the valuable trans-Saharan trade routes.
- The rulers of the _______________ Empire taxed all trade passing through their lands, which made the kingdom extremely rich.
Part 3: Thinking Critically - Cause and Effect
History is a story of cause and effect. One event often leads directly to another. Draw a line to connect the CAUSE on the left with its most likely EFFECT on the right.
| CAUSE | EFFECT |
|---|---|
| 1. West African kingdoms controlled rich gold mines, while North African traders had access to large deposits of salt. | A. Culture and history were preserved and passed down to new generations, even without a widespread system of writing. |
| 2. Mansa Musa's pilgrimage to Mecca involved giving away enormous amounts of gold. | B. The value of gold temporarily dropped in the regions he visited, and the world became aware of Mali's immense wealth. |
| 3. The introduction of camels, which could travel long distances without water. | C. A massive and profitable trade network developed across the Sahara desert. |
| 4. Griots memorized and recited the histories, genealogies, and stories of their people. | D. Trans-Saharan trade became faster, safer, and more efficient, allowing more goods to be transported. |
Part 4: The Griot's Tale
Imagine you are a griot living during the time of the Mali Empire. It is your sacred duty to tell the stories of your people to ensure their history is never forgotten. Write a short story (5-7 sentences) as if you were telling it to a group of children gathered around a fire. Choose one of the following topics:
- The story of Mansa Musa's incredible journey to Mecca.
- A description of the bustling markets and great university in the city of Timbuktu.
Begin your story with: "Gather 'round, children, and listen, for I have a story to tell..."
Answer Key
Part 1: Vocabulary Matching
- C. A West African storyteller, historian, and musician who preserved oral traditions and histories.
- F. A semi-arid region of vegetation that stretches across Africa, separating the Sahara Desert from the wetter savanna.
- D. An extremely wealthy emperor of the Mali Empire, famous for his pilgrimage to Mecca.
- A. A vast network of trade routes that connected West Africa with the Mediterranean world, primarily for exchanging gold and salt.
- B. A city in Mali that became a world-renowned center for trade, learning, and Islamic culture.
- E. A tropical grassland with scattered trees, which covers large parts of Africa.
Part 2: The Empires of Gold & Salt
- The Ghana Empire was the first of the great West African trading empires. Its kings were known as "lords of the gold."
- Under the rule of Mansa Musa, the Mali Empire became famous throughout the world for its incredible wealth and its promotion of education and Islam.
- The city of Timbuktu reached its peak as a center of learning and trade during the Mali Empire.
- The Songhai Empire was the largest and most powerful of the three West African empires, conquering its neighbors and taking control of the valuable trans-Saharan trade routes.
- The rulers of the Ghana Empire taxed all trade passing through their lands, which made the kingdom extremely rich.
Part 3: Thinking Critically - Cause and Effect
- C. A massive and profitable trade network developed across the Sahara desert.
- B. The value of gold temporarily dropped in the regions he visited, and the world became aware of Mali's immense wealth.
- D. Trans-Saharan trade became faster, safer, and more efficient, allowing more goods to be transported.
- A. Culture and history were preserved and passed down to new generations, even without a widespread system of writing.
Part 4: The Griot's Tale
Answers will vary. The goal is a creative, short narrative that accurately reflects the chosen topic from the perspective of a storyteller. The response should be 5-7 sentences and capture the spirit of the historical subject.