Early African Civilizations Study Guide: page 376 - 403 Flashcards
What are Rifts?
These are long, deep valleys formed by the movement of the earth’s crust.
Where is Sub-Saharan Africa?
This is Africa that is south of the Sahara, that is crossed by mighty rivers. These rivers include the Congo, the Zambezi, and the Niger.
What is a Sahel
A strip of land with very little rainfall that divides the desert from wetter areas. This band of land is north of the Savannah.
What is a Savannah?
An open grassland with scattered trees, south of the Sahel, and North of the Rain forest.
What is a Rain forest?
A moist, densely wooded areas, This is south of the Sahel.
What are Extended Families?
They include the mother, father, children, and close relatives, all living in 1 household.
Village Societies (Top = Lowest, Bottom = Highest):
Families
Extended Families
Village Chiefs
Council of Elders
What is Animism?
The belief that bodies of water, animals, trees, and other natural objects have spirits. This is a Western African Belief.
What is Silent Barter?
A process of exchanging goods (Trading) without contacting each other. This was not risky as everyone had ethics at the time.
Who was Tunka Manin?
He ruled at around 1068. All we know about he comes from writing of a Muslim geographer who wrote about Ghana. From his writings, we know that he was the nephew of the previous king, a man called Basi. Kingship and property in Ghana passed from uncle to nephew so the king’s sister’s son would be the inheritor . Once he did become king, he led Ghana to it’s peak and displayed the wealth of the empire.
What was the Ghana Empire?
The Empire was founded by the Soninke people after around 300 AD to protect against the nomads. The conducted trade through silent barter and was in control of West African trade by 800. The empire fell due to the Almorvids because they brought animals which cause overgrazing, and desertification when they invaded. When the people Ghana conquered before saw this, they rebelled.
Who was Sundiata?
As a boy, a harsh ruler took over his homeland, then as an adult, he won their country’s independence. After that he conquered many lands in the 1230s and improved agriculture in Mali. To keep order, he took power from local leaders and took the Title Mansa which had an important role in society.
Who was Mansa Musa?
He was an Muslim leader of Mali hat helped Mali reach it’s height in 1300s. During his time of rule for 25 years he helped Mali and Islam grow. During his Hajj he spread Mali’s fame in the Islamic world. Because he was an avid Muslim, he set up schools for kids to learn Arabic and he set up mosques to pray.
Who was Sunni Ali?
Before he began his rule in 1464, Songhai was in disorder. During his rule he greatly helped the Songhai people and brought religious harmony. This helped stabilize Songhai.
Who was Askia the Great?
Sunni Ali’s son Sunni Baru was not an Muslim so the Songhai rebelled against him in fear of losing trade with Muslim lands. The leader of the rebellion called Muhammad Ture who became known as Askia The Great later on. During his rule he supported educational growth, Islam, and brought order to the Songhai empire.
What was the Mali Empire?
The Empire of Mali was one of the largest empires in West African History, and at its height, it spanned from the Atlantic Coast to central parts of the Sahara desert. The Empire was founded in 1235 CE by the legendary King Sundiata and lasted until the early 1600s CE. The only 2 rulers that ruled were Sunidiata and Mansa Musa.
