West Africa Before The European Slave Trade Flashcards
Before the European slave trade, West Africans had established their own…
Political and economic systems, and their own cultures, technologies and philosophies that made them great civilizations
When was “before the European slave trade”?
Before the 16th century
What were West Africa’s many forms of government characterized by?
Participatory democracy
What were the empires made up of?
Confederations of states, such as the Mali Empire
Other than the confederations of states, what other things were there?
. Small independent kingdoms eg. The kingdom of Ghana
. Many small scale societies of pastoralists and hunters that were ruled by councils of elders
Some of these were part of larger empires and had to pay tribute to them
What were West Africa’s well developed economic systems based on?
Agriculture, mining, manufacturing and trade. They also had tax collection systems
There were important trading centres, such as …
Kumbi Saleh, the capital of the Ghana kingdom, and Timbuktu in the Mali Empire
Who did they trade with?
Arab Muslim traders and with Europe through merchants in North Africa. From the early 1400s, they also traded with Portuguese, Dutch, British, French and Scandinavian traders sailing down the West African coast
What did they trade?
Precious items, such as gold, ivory and spices for salt and other goods
What were many West Africans skilled in?
Medicine, mathematics and astronomy, which they studied at universities, like those in Timbuktu
Some people were also skilled metallurgists, others were great artists in wood, stone and other materials
They also had a great amount of _______ and other knowledge which they stored in _______ or passed on through _______ _______.
…scientific…libraries…the oral tradition
Technology was well developed and used in…
Mining and in manufacturing for goods for domestic use, as well as luxury items in bronze, ivory, gold and terracotta for both local use and trade
What does multi-ethnic mean?
Made up of different cultures
What was religion and culture like in West Africa?
There was a wide variety of languages, cultures and religions. However, many West African societies also shared similar types of social organisation, which made it easier for members of different kingdoms and chiefdoms to relate to each other. Societies generally treated one another and visitors with respect. Many West African societies had multi-ethnic populations who enjoyed religious freedom, which included traditional African religions and Islam
