Unit 1- The Global Tapestry Vocabulary

Aztecs (Mexica)

Mesoamerican civilization in central Mexico (14th-16th centuries) known for complex society, agriculture, and architecture.

Bhakti Movement

Medieval Indian devotional movement emphasizing personal devotion to a deity for spiritual liberation.

Buddhism

Ancient Indian religion based on Siddhartha Gautama's teachings, focusing on the Four Noble Truths and Eightfold Path to end suffering.

Champa Rice

Fast-ripening, drought-resistant rice from Vietnam that boosted Chinese agriculture during the Song Dynasty.

Dar al-Islam

Arabic term for territories under Islamic rule where Muslims can freely practice their faith.

Feudalism

Decentralized medieval European system where land was exchanged for loyalty and military service between lords and vassals.

Filial Piety

Confucian virtue emphasizing respect for parents, elders, and ancestors, central to East Asian ethics.

Foot Binding

Chinese practice (10th-20th centuries) of tightly binding young girls' feet, symbolizing beauty, status, and control.

Grand Canal

Ancient Chinese waterway connecting Yellow and Yangtze rivers, vital for trade and transport.

Great Zimbabwe

Medieval African city (11th-15th centuries), capital of a Shona kingdom, known for trade and stone architecture.

Heian Period in Japan

Japanese historical period (794-1185 CE) known for flourishing aristocratic culture and arts.

House of Wisdom

Intellectual center in Baghdad during the Islamic Golden Age, serving as a library, academy, and translation institute.

Inca Empire

Largest pre-Columbian empire in the Andes (13th-16th centuries), known for roads, agriculture, and central administration.

Jihad

Arabic term in Islam meaning 'struggle,' referring to spiritual striving or defense of the faith.

Jizya

Per capita tax levied by Islamic states on non-Muslim subjects for protection and religious freedom.

Mamluk Sultanate

Medieval kingdom (1250-1517 CE) in Egypt and Syria ruled by Mamluk slave soldiers, known for defeating the Mongols.

Manorialism

Medieval European economic system based on self-sufficient manors, with lords and serfs exchanging land/protection for labor/rent.

Muslim Iberia/ Al-Andalus

The Iberian Peninsula (Spain/Portugal) under Islamic rule (8th-15th centuries), a center of cultural and intellectual exchange.

Neo-Confucianism

Chinese philosophy (Tang/Song dynasties) blending Confucianism with elements of Buddhism and Daoism.

Seljuk Empire

Turko-Persian Sunni Muslim empire (11th-14th centuries) controlling Central Asia and the Middle East, founded by Oghuz Turks.

Serfdom

Medieval agricultural laborer tied to the land, obligated to work for a lord in the feudal system.

Sharia

Islamic law derived from the Quran and Sunnah, providing legal and ethical guidelines for Muslim life.

Song Dynasty

Chinese imperial dynasty (960-1279 CE) known for economic growth, technological innovation, and cultural flourishing.

Srivijaya Empire

Maritime Malay empire (7th-13th centuries) based in Sumatra, a major trade and Buddhist center in Southeast Asia.

Sufism

Mystical branch of Islam focusing on inner spiritual connection with God through devotion and ascetic practices.

Turkic Peoples

Diverse ethnic groups from Central Asia speaking Turkic languages, who formed significant empires in Eurasia.