West African Society

1. West African Society Section 2

2. Standard 7.4.2 Analyze the importance of family, labor specialization, and regional commerce in the development of states and cities in West Africa.

3. Section Focus Question What were the characteristics of society and the economy in West Africa?

4. Background Knowledge Songhai, like earlier West African empires, was made up of many groups of people. Each had its own language and traditions. In this section, will show that these diverse groups created a vibrant society.

5. Kinship and Castes • West Africans had well-organized societies. • Families were the foundation of these societies.

6. Family Ties • kinship, or connection based on family relationships. • Families were not just made up of parents and children. They included grandparents, aunts and uncles, and cousins.

7. Family Ties • Lineage - a group of people who are related to a common ancestor.

8. Family Ties • Clan - a larger group of related families. • Several closely related clans lived together in a village.

9. Family Ties • several villages united into larger ethnic groups. • ethnic group shared a distinct culture, language, and identity.

10. The Social Structure • Caste or social classisindividual’s place in the social structure. • system divided people into social groups, each with a specific occupation and rank. • A person’s caste was determined at birth.

11. West African Slavery • Enslaved people made up the lowest level of society. • came from groups that had been defeated in wars. • Slaves had certain rights. • They could marry, and families could not be separated. • protected from harsh punishment • earn money and even buy their freedom.

12. City and Village Life • West African families lived clustered together in towns and villages. • urban areas • Arabic was the main language of trade and worship. • rural villages • families spoke the languages of their ancestors and worshiped the ancient gods.

13. Farming Villages • The economy of West African villages was based on producing food. • Farmers grew rice, yams, beans, and other crops. • Herders raised cattle and other animals for meat, milk, and skins. • Fishers sold dried or smoked fish. • In the local markets, villagers traded things they produced for things they needed. • Villagers also set up trade with other towns.

14. Trading Cities • Trade was central to the economy of cities. • Markets offered goods from all along the caravan routes. • Goods were bought with cowrie shells or gold coins.

15. Trading Cities • As trade flowed into cities, their populations increased. • City dwellers buy a varied and steady supply of food and finely crafted goods

16. Looking Back and Ahead • This section discussed the West African’s strong belief in family and the importance of kinship ties in West African society. You also learned how trade affected the lives of both villagers and city residents. The next section, will discuss the arts and oral history traditions of West Africa.