WARM UP QUESTION Which list of Niger River regions is in order from MOST rainfall to LEAST? A. Sahel, savannah, rainforest, Sahara B. Sahel, rainforest, savannah, Sahara C. rain forest, Sahel, savannah, Sahara D. rain forest, savannah, Sahel, Sahara

Historical and Artistic Traditions of West Africa None of the early African empires we’ve studied developed a written language. How do you think people pass down traditions and history if they can’t write it down??

Does your family have some stories that they tell again and again?? Oral History When people lack a written language they use spoken words to record their history. Does your family have some stories that they tell again and again??

Griots Griots were West African storytellers They were highly respected Their job was to remember and pass on their people’s history They had to remember hundreds of names and events

Proverbs Griots passed on more than stories, they also recited proverbs Proverbs are short sayings of wisdom or truth

West African Proverbs “It takes a village to raise a child.” “Talking doesn't fill the basket in the farm.” “Rats don't dance in the cat's doorway.”

Epics Epics are long poems about kingdoms and heroes The Sundiata is an epic about Mali’s king Sundiata The epic tells how Sundiata’s family was killed by a conqueror when he was a boy, but Sundiata was spared because he looked weak. As a grown man, Sundiata overthrew the conquering king.

Histories Much of what we know about West Africa comes from the writings of Muslim travelers and scholars One writer was Ibn Battutah- he described the political and cultural lives of West Africans Europeans learned about Africa from another traveler/writer named Leo Africanus Ibn Battutah’s travels

Sculpture West Africa was famous for its statues made of wood, brass, clay, ivory, stone Sculptures of people were often used for ancestor worship African artists were deeply respected Pablo Picasso was influenced by African art Bronze sculpture, Mali, 1500s

Masks & Clothing Carved masks of animals used for dance rituals Africans wove special cloth called Kente that was used for special occasions Kente cloth is a hand-woven, brightly colored fabric Antelope mask, West Africa

Music & Dance Music and dance were forms of entertainment and helped people honor their history Dancing used for celebration at weddings, funerals

Review Questions African storytellers who memorize and recite the names and histories of their people are called a. griots. b. kente. c. Dausi. d. Battuta.

Review Questions How was music and dance incorporated into the lives of the people of early West Africa? a. It played only a small role. b. Children were taught that music and dance were evil forms of entertainment. c. It was entertainment and also a way to celebrate their history and other important events. d. Only very important citizens were allowed to play music or dance.

Review Questions In what way is the musical tradition of the early West African empires present today? a. in epics b. in histories c. in wedding and funeral dances d. in the proverbs

Review Questions Which of the following best describes the subject of a West African sculpture? a favorite family pet the sculptor’s grandfather a cow or other animal used as food an important tree or plant

Review Questions For special occasions, West African kings and queens wore garments made of a. cotton with gold thread. b. finely woven silk. c. kente. d. highly polished ebony wood.

Review Questions Much of what we know about early West Africa comes from the writing of travelers and scholars from Muslim lands such as Spain and Arabia. What is the BEST inference you can make from this statement? a. The people of West Africa were not interested in keeping track of their histories. b. The people of West Africa never traveled beyond the borders of their empire. c. The people of West Africa left no written histories of their own. d. Very few travelers ever visited early West Africa empires.