Term 1 - Mali and Timbuktu - Trade

Question 1

What is so special about the Western African kingdom Mali?

Answer 1

it was the most powerful kingdom in Africa in the 14th century

Question 2

Name the famous Mali king during Mali’s high days

Answer 2

Mansa Musa

Question 3

Which city in Mali was made rich and famous as a learning centre during Mansa Musa’s reign?

Answer 3

Timbuktu

Question 4

Why did the Trans-Sahara trade-route exist?

Answer 4

Arabs from North Africa travelled to sell goods to the people from West Africa (like Mali)

Question 5

True of false: Camel caravans could consist of a 1000 camels?

Answer 5

True

Question 6

How long was the Trans-Sahara journey and how long did it take to travel

Answer 6

2400 KM

3 months

Question 7

Give 5 reasons why the Sahara Desert was difficult to cross

Answer 7

Extreme heat (day)
Extreme cold (night)
Dreadful sandstorms
No roads (get lost easily)
Danger of running out of water

Question 8

Which items were brought to Mali (or West Africa) by the Arabs to trade?

Answer 8

Rugs, swords, glass, spices, dyes, cloth beads, silk and perfume

Question 9

What could Mali trade with?

Answer 9

GOLD
Salt
slaves
Ivory
Kola nuts
Copper
Ostrich feathers

Question 10

True or false: There were two large salt mines in the South and three large gold mines in the North?

Answer 10

False - gold mines = South and salt = North

Question 11

How did the Mali kingdom get so rich between 1230 and 1600?

Answer 11

They taxed all the trade that was done

Question 12

How did Islam spread to Mali in the 9th century?

Answer 12

Via the Muslim traders from North Africa

Question 13

Since when were the kings of Mali Muslim?

Answer 13

CE 1300

Question 14

How did traders transport goods over longs distances?

Answer 14

They used the Niger river

Question 15

True or false: During the 14th to 16th centuries the empire of the Kingdom of Mali was bigger than even the Mongol Empire in Asia and Eastern Europe?

Answer 15

False: Mali was the second biggest empire after the Mongol empire.

Question 16

Why did the Kingdom of Mali become so rich during Mansa Musa’s reign?

Answer 16

Traders used the Niger River to transport goods
The minerals in Mali
The good system of government

Question 17

Which two cities did Mansa Musa add to the Kingdom?

Answer 17

Timbuktu

Gao

Question 18

Did Mansa Musa force everyone to follow Islam?

Answer 18

No - there was religious freedom (also allowing the ancestral religions) even though the state religion was Islam

Question 19

To which city did Mansa Musa go in 1324 for his Pilgrimage?

Answer 19

Mecca

Question 20

What was so amazing of what Mansa Musa did on Fridays during the pilgrimage?

Answer 20

He paid for mosques to be built where they were on the Friday

Question 21

Why did the value of gold in Egypt drop during the pilgrimage?

Answer 21

Musa gave away so much gold (even to poor people)

Question 22

How long did the 3000 mile pilgrimage takes

Answer 22

One year

Question 23

When was the Great Mosque built in Timbuktu (by Mansa Musa) and who was the architect?

Answer 23

1326

Al-Sahil (architect - he got 200kg gold for his work - not bad)

Question 24

Who wrote about Africa so that the Europeans of that Time could have a better understanding of Africa (16th century)

Answer 24

Leo Africanus (he wrote two books that were used extensively: African geography and Description of Africa)

Question 25

Why was Timbuktu such an important and wealthy city?

Answer 25

It was the centre of the gold trade because it was situated on the edge of the Sahara Desert and 8 miles from the Niger river

Question 26

Which goods came from Europe to Timbuktu?

Answer 26

``` ceramics silk cloth beads fine printed fabrics ```

Question 27

Which goods did the traders want from the People of Mali?

Answer 27

Gold Ivory Wood Slaves

Question 28

Why did the Arab kings want slaves?

Answer 28

Servants Soldiers Agricultural workers

Question 29

Why was salt at one time worth as much as gold?

Answer 29

It was very scarce in parts of the world in the 16th century

Question 30

Study the Trade Routes Map in your handbook and workbook

Answer 30

Do it now - come on you can do it! (page 95)

Question 31

Why did Timbuktu become a world famous centre of Islamic learning?

Answer 31

Because of the wealth they built 180 muslim schools and three universities for 25000 students There also were scholars that came there Then there were many libraries (one with 500000 books!)

Question 32

Was the Koran the only focus of learning in Timbuktu

Answer 32

No: there were also other subjects taught: mathematics, chemistry, physics, optics, astronomy, medicine, history, geography, government laws, logic, botany, engineering, agriculture and music

Question 33

Why did trade to Timbuktu in the 17th century begin to diminish?

Answer 33

European ships started to trade along the west coast of Africa - so Timbuktu was not the centre of trade anymore

Question 34

What happened to the Mali Kingdom after Musa died?

Answer 34

The kingdoms of Mali fought against each other and became weak Then the Morrocans invaded them and took all their wealth and burnt their libraries and killed or deported their scholars

Question 35

When did the French colonise West Africa?

Answer 35

1893

Question 36

When did Mali regain its independence as a Republic

Answer 36

1960

Question 37

What does South Africa, UCT and Thabo Mbeki have to do with Timbuktu?

Answer 37

They helped start the Timbuktu Manuscripts Project (to display and preserve the old Arabian writings) to create the African renaissance so that Africans can be proud of their roots and culture.

Question 38

Why was Timbuktu declared a World Heritage Site in 1988?

Answer 38

To protect and preserve its fascinating past in terms of architecture and learning (especially the manuscripts) and recognise its cultural contribution.

Question 39

What was Mansa Musa called by his people?

Answer 39

Musa the magnificent | Lion of Mali

Question 40

How did Musa create a strong and stable government?

Answer 40

The Empire was divided into provinces ruled by a governor | The villages in the provinces each had a mayor

Question 41

How many people went with Musa on his pilgrimage?

Answer 41

60000 soldiers, officials, merchants, servants and slaves (and 80 camels each carrying 150kg of gold)