REVIEW OF West Africa

1. Hernandez 2-6-13 REVIEW OF West Africa

2. West Africa • There were 3 vegetation zones: • Desert • Savannah • Forest • Least suitable area to live was anywhere near the Sahara Desert • Ghana and Mali thrived economically because they were on major trading routes. • Trade and life was centered around the Niger River

3. Trans-Saharan Trade • Also known as the Gold/Salt Trade • Gold from the forest and salt from the desert were the major commodities traded • Other important items involved in this trade were: food, slaves, and ideas (Islam) • Much of the trade that took place was silent bartering

4. Religion • Before Islam, most West Africans were polytheistic and prayed to their ancestors • After Islam was introduced to West Africa, education mostly based on studying Islam • The spread of the Arabic language gave many the ability to write

5. Ghana • Ghana controlled Gold/Salt Trade • Through the Gold/Salt Trade, the religion of Islam was introduced into West Africa • Ghana had a rich marketplace in the city of Kumbi • The empire of Ghana fell because of war with the Almoravids and a lack of resources that could not keep up with population growth. • Lack of water • Lack of trees

6. Mali • Gained control of the land Ghana had ruled • Greatly expanded the empire through war. • Controlled the Gold/Salt Trade • Had a king named Mansa Musa • Mansa Musa was Muslim and practiced the religion closely • When he went on his hajj, Mansa Musa had a large entourage with a great deal of gold. • This put Mali “On the Map”

7. Songhai • The Songhai people were a group of Muslims who lived in Mali. • They wanted to break away from Mali • They did eventually break away from Mali and conquered Mali. • The early leaders of the Songhai Empire did not practice Islam seriously. • Askia Mohammed became the ruler of Songhai and demanded people follow Islam closely • He set up rigid controls • He converted many non-Muslims through war • He greatly expanded the empire through these wars

8. Rulers • Following the coming of Islam -Rulers became known as Emirs -local chiefs lost power, the powers of large empires increased - Succession was now patrilineal and not matrilineal

9. Islam in West Africa • As Islam spread into West Africa, traditional beliefs were not left behind • People began to follow the 5 Pillars closely and read and memorized the Quran, but they kept their traditional beliefs of praying to their ancestors. • People also kept their amulets that they believed protected them from harm • Islam was practiced in West Africa as people blended Islam and their traditional beliefs

10. Islamic Contributions in West Africa • There are 4 most important advancements Muslims made in West Africa • Religion: Islam • Government and Law: The Shari’ah • Language: Arabic • Education: The great desire to be educated (Timbuktu became a major center of education) Mostly centered around Islam.

11. Hernandez 2-6-13 REVIEW OF West Africa

12. West Africa • There were 3 vegetation zones: • ________ • ________ • ________ • Least suitable area to live was anywhere near the ________Desert • Ghana and Mali thrived economically because they were on major _________ routes • Trade and life was centered around the _________River

13. Trans-Saharan Trade • Also known as the Gold/Salt Trade • Gold from the forest and salt from the desert were the major commodities traded • Other important items involved in this trade were______, _______, and _______ (Islam) • Much of the trade that took place was _______ bartering

14. Religion • Before Islam, most West Africans were _________ and prayed to their _________ • After Islam was introduced to West Africa, education mostly based on studying ____ • The spread of the ______ language gave many the ability to ____

15. Ghana • Ghana controlled ______ Trade • Through the Gold/Salt Trade, the religion of ______ was introduced into West Africa • Ghana had a rich marketplace in the city of ________ • The empire of Ghana fell because of war with the Almoravids and a lack of ________ that could not keep up with population _______. • Lack of water • Lack of trees

16. Mali • Gained control of the land Ghana had ruled • Greatly expanded the empire through • Controlled the Gold/Salt Trade • Had a king named _______ ________ • Mansa Musa was ______ and practiced the religion closely • When he went on his ____, Mansa Musa had a large entourage with a great deal of _____ • This put Mali “_______________”

17. Songhai • The Songhai people were a group of __________who lived in ______. • They wanted to break away from Mali • They did eventually break away from Mali and __________ Mali. • The early leaders of the Songhai Empire did not practice Islam seriously. • ________ ____________became the ruler of Songhai and demanded people follow Islam closely • He set up rigid controls • He _________ many non-Muslims through war • He greatly expanded the empire through these wars

18. Rulers • Following the coming of Islam -Rulers became known as ________ -local chiefs lost power, the powers of large ______ increased - Succession was now _________ and not matrilineal

19. Islam in West Africa • As Islam spread into West Africa, ________ beliefs were not left behind • People began to follow the __ _______closely and read and memorized the _______, but they kept their traditional beliefs of praying to their __________. • People also kept their ________ that they believed protected them from harm • Islam was practiced in West Africa as people blended ______ and their __________ beliefs

20. Islamic Contributions in West Africa • There are 4 most important advancements Muslims made in West Africa • Religion: _______ • Government and Law: The ________ • Language: _______ • Education: The great desire to be educated (________ became a major center of education. Mostly centered around ________).