1. AFRICA NOTES
TCAP REVIEW

2. WEST AFRICAN KINGDOMS Ghana Most powerful trading empire
Traded gold, salt, & ivory
Fell to Almoravids
Mali
Made an empire by Sundiata
Grew to height under Mansa Musa
Salt and gold mines

3. WEST AFRICAN KINGDOMS CONT.
Songhai
Flourished after Mali’s decline
Along Niger River
Took over Timbuktu & Dejenne (major trading cities that led to Songhai’s wealth)
Fell to Moroccans
Salt mines

4. TRANS-SAHARAN CARAVAN
Trading network across the Sahara connecting Arabian Peninsula to West Africa
Traders called Berbers
Traded no only salt, gold, oil, ivory, and leather BUT also spread Islam through Africa which influenced culture, beliefs, and government

5. African historian and storytellers
GRIOTS
African historian and storytellers
Passed down customs through oral history
Preserved West African culture

6. FAMILY Basis of West African society
Lived in extended families that were a part of lineage groups
Patrilineal—kinship and inheritance passed down through the father’s side
Matrilineal—kinship and inheritance passed down through the mother’s side
Most W. African families –matrilineal
Lineage groups got together to form clans based off ancient common ancestor

7. A division of jobs and skills among society
LABOR SPECIALIZATION
A division of jobs and skills among society
Each clan (family group) focused on specific type of work

8. REGIONAL COMMERCE
The activity of buying and selling goods within a particular region
Timbuktu and Djenne centers of West African commerce
Traded gold, ivory, salt, and silk
Became center of learning with universities

9. MANSA MUSA (emperor of Mali Empire)
Wealthiest man in the world at the time
Made a pilgrimage (hajj) to Mecca (1st Muslim ruler in West Africa to do so)
Passed out gold along the way

10. MANSA MUSA CONT.
Brought back Arab scholars, government bureaucrats, and architects
Boosted Islam in Mali by adding mosques, libraries, and universities
Brought Mali to attention of Europe
Increasing visiting scholars, poets, artists, and more commerce
Mali began its decline after the death of Mansa Musa