West African Empires

Question 1

Ghana was the empire’s title; it’s proper name is this.

Answer 1

Wagadou

Question 2

Ethnicity of the Ghana Empire’s founders that shares it’s name with one of the Ghana Empire’s main languages.

Answer 2

Soninke

Question 3

Soninke Dynasty that ruled the Ghana Empire.

Answer 3

Cisse Dynasty

Question 4

First conquered by the Almoravids, Ghana was then conquered by this S-letter empire. It was ruled by Sumanguru,

Answer 4

Sosso

Question 5

Capital of the Ghana Empire. This city included the “El-Ghaba,” a part of the city containing the Royal Court.

Answer 5

Koumbi Saleh

Question 6

Founder and first leader of the Mali Empire who defeated Sumanguru of Sosso at the Battle of Kirina. In the Epic of Sundiata, it is said that he nullified Sumanguru’s magic powers using an arrow tipped with a rooster’s nail.

Answer 6

Sundiata Keita

Question 7

Dynasty which ruled the Mali Empire

Answer 7

Keita Dynasty

Question 8

This city in the Mali Empire was the educational, artistic, and economic center of the empire. included landmarks such as Djinguereber Mosque and Sankore Madrasah (University).

Answer 8

Timbuktu

Question 9

Name the capital of the Mali Empire for most of its history.

Answer 9

Niani

Question 10

During the reign of the disastrous king Mahmud III when the Songhai sacked much of the Mali Empire, the capital was moved to this city which starts with a K.

Answer 10

Kangaba

Question 11

Legislative body of the Mali Empire, meaning “Great Assembly,” which made the Mali Empire to be a constitutional monarchy. Established by the “Kouroukan Fouga” oral constitution of Mali Empire.

Answer 11

Gbara

Question 12

Name given to the twelve core provinces of the Mali Empire.

Answer 12

Twelve Doors

Question 13

Archery term for the 16 clans responsible for the leadership and the defense of the Mali Empire, according to the Kouroukan Fouga oral constitution.

Answer 13

Quiver-Carriers

Question 14

This great leader of the Mali Empire developed much of Timbuktu, and had his general Sagmandia capture Gao ( the future Songhai capital). The most famous depiction of him is that of the medieval European Catalan atlas, in which he holds a scepter with a fleur-de-lys in one hand and a gold coin in the other.

Answer 14

Mansa Musa

Question 15

Trip during which Mansa Musa brought 80 camels, 12000 slaves, and a total of 60000 men. He caused mass inflation with his spending, and famously almost refused to meet with Egyptian leader Malik Al-Nasir as he wanted to pray (his piety was legendary).

Answer 15

Mansa Musa’s Hajj

Question 16

First Songhai King who conquered much of the Malian empire’s former territories.

Answer 16

Sonni Ali Ber (Sunni Ali)

Question 17

Born Muhammad Ture, this man became the greatest Songhai leader and founder of a namesake dynasty after overthrowing Sonni Ali’s son.

Answer 17

Askia Mohammed I (Askia the Great)

Question 18

The Songhai Empire’s final battle, during which Moroccan general Judar Pasha defeated the Songhai army.

Answer 18

Battle of Tondibi

Question 19

Capital and largest city of the Songhai Empire

Answer 19

Gao