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35 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
Sahel
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a semidesert area of a somewhat dry zone of grasses and shrubs
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Delta
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Where the water ends
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Diviner
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component of West African religions
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griot
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a storyteller
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kinship
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a family government
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Savannah
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an area of tall grasses and scattered trees. It has a long rainy season.
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matrilineal
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based on a woman's family line
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What were the early people called? How did they live?
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Nok; or hunter-gatherer. They made iron tools to help with farming and hunting.
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Why did early african people switch locations?
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traveling along trade routes, to find better farming, fishing and trade
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Why did early african people locate on the Niger River?
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It was a good location for trade, had good soil for farming, and the water was a good source of fish.
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The Nok People: What was their main skill? How did it improve their lives?
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Their main skill was ironworking and making axes, hoes and weapons. These tools made hunting and farming easier, which produced more food for the village.
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Explain the term "specialization of labor". how did it come about?
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Specialization of Labor means people excel at different jobs. It came about because the greater abundance of food supported larger villages where more people were fee to work at other jobs.
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Describe the Desert region of Africa
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Covers 30% of Africa; people live in harsh conditions; less than 10 inches of rain falls each year; very few people live there; no plant life
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Describe the Savannah region of Africa
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spreads north and south of rain forest; open, with drought resistant trees; wet, heavy rainfall; has tall, rich plants;; 4-8 months of rain; has plant and human life
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Describe the Forest region of Africa
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8% of Africa; on the equator of West Africa; more than 60 inches of rain per year; wet, warm region has towering trees; see-see fly is very harmful to animals
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Describe the Basin region of Africa
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Between the Savannah and the Desert regions; a harsh land - very hot daytime temps up to 110 degrees; scattered oasis and Lake Chad make living possible.
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Which groups of people were involved in the Gold/Salt trade? What did each group need?
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North Africans wanted gold, and West Africans wanted salt.
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Why was salt important during that time?
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People who live in hot climates need salt to replace what is lost when they perspire. Salt was also used to keep their food from spoiling.
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What was the journey of the North Africans like?
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It was a long, difficult journey. Started in the Atlas Mountains, across the desert, through Ghana.
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Why were the Soninke so successful?
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They collected taxes on all goods entering and leaving Ghana.
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Why was Ghana the perfect location for trade?
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Ghana was located between both regions.
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What is the most significant event of the empire of Mali?
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The Mande conquered Kumbi and took control of the trade routes to North Africa and built the empire of Mali. Mansa Musa became the first West African ruler to practice Islam devoutly.
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What changes did Islam bring to Africa?
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Mali became a major crossroad of the Islamic world. Muslim merchants, traders and scholars from Egypt and North Africa came to Mali to do business or settle.
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Who was Mali's significant leader?
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Mansa Musa
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What caused Mali's collapse?
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The Songhai built a powerful army and broke away from Mali and then conquered it.
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What was Songhai like at it's height?
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Was the biggest trading center
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Who was Songhai's significant leader?
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Askia Mohammed Toure
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What caused Songhai's collapse?
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Threats from Moracco
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What was the most important activity African Villages did?
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raised food
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What crops did African Villages grow?
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Rice, grains, nuts, fruits, millet
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What was the African Village government based on?
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Kinship
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Why did African Villagers dance?
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to celebrate success, for rituals, to seek the help from spirits, to connect with dead ancestors
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What is the job of a griot?
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Storyteller, record keeper of their people
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What did Islam traders bring to West Africa?
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They brought religion, beliefs, writing & education, arabic language
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How did Islam scholars change West African culture?
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New architecture - Mosques, and the design of homes changed., new styles in decorative arts such as calligraphy and geometric patterns. The way people dressed also changed - West Africans started wearing an Arabic robe.
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