Unit 1- Africa

Question 1

Bantu

Answer 1

A group of people who originated in West Africa and spread throughout Sub-Saharan Africa over thousands of years. They shared similar languages and introduced ironworking and farming techniques as they migrated.

Question 2

Griots

Answer 2

Griots: Storytellers, historians, and musicians in West African societies. They preserved history and culture by passing down stories, genealogies, and events through oral traditions.

Question 3

Sub-Saharan

Answer 3

Sub-Saharan: Refers to the area of Africa located south of the Sahara Desert. This region includes many diverse cultures, languages, and historical empires like Mali and Ghana.

Question 4

Mali Empire

Answer 4

: A powerful West African empire (1235-1600s) known for its wealth, trade in gold and salt, and famous ruler, Mansa Musa, who made a legendary pilgrimage to Mecca and helped spread Islam in West Africa.

Question 5

Timbuktu

Answer 5

: A major city in the Mali Empire, known for its wealth, trade routes, and as a center of Islamic learning. It had renowned libraries and universities that attracted scholars from across the Islamic world.

Question 6

Swahili/Swahili City-States:

Answer 6

Swahili/Swahili City-States: Coastal cities in East Africa that became wealthy through trade with Arabs, Persians, and Indians. The Swahili culture is a blend of African and Islamic influences, and the Swahili language is a mix of Bantu and Arabic. These city-states, like Kilwa and Zanzibar, thrived from trade in gold, ivory, and slaves across the Indian Ocean.

Question 7

Great Zimbabwe

Answer 7

Great Zimbabwe: A powerful city and kingdom in southern Africa (11th-15th century) known for its impressive stone architecture and as a center of trade in gold and other goods. It was part of a network that linked Africa to the Indian Ocean trade routes.

Question 8

Slave Trade

Answer 8

Slave Trade: The buying and selling of enslaved people, especially between Africa and other regions. In the Trans-Saharan trade, slaves were taken across the Sahara Desert to the Islamic world, and in the Indian Ocean trade, they were sent to places like the Middle East and India.

Question 9

Slave Trade

Answer 9

Slave Trade: The buying and selling of enslaved people, especially between Africa and other regions. In the Trans-Saharan trade, slaves were taken across the Sahara Desert to the Islamic world, and in the Indian Ocean trade, they were sent to places like the Middle East and India.

Question 10

Ethiopia

Answer 10

Ethiopia: A Christian kingdom in East Africa that remained independent despite surrounding Islamic states. Known for its unique Christian traditions and the construction of impressive rock-hewn churches.

Question 11

Camels

Answer 11

Camels: Essential animals for trade and transportation across the Sahara Desert. Camels can ravel long distances without water, making them vital for trade between North Africa and West Africa.

Question 12

Mansa Musa

Answer 12

Mansa Musa: The famous king of the Mali Empire (14th century), known for immense wealth and his pilgrimage to Mecca (Hajj), where he distributed so much gold that it affected the economy of the places he visited.

Question 13

Gold & Salt:

Answer 13

Gold & Salt: These were the most valuable goods traded in West Africa. West Africa had vast gold mines, while North Africa had an abundance of salt, which was crucial for preserving food.

Question 14

Camel Caravan

Answer 14

Camel Caravan: Groups of camels used for long-distance trade across deserts, especially in the Trans-Saharan trade routes. Caravans helped traders transport goods like gold, salt, and slaves across the Sahara Desert.

Question 15

Camel Caravan

Answer 15

Camel Caravan: Groups of camels used for long-distance trade across deserts, especially in the Trans-Saharan trade routes. Caravans helped traders transport goods like gold, salt, and slaves across the Sahara Desert.