The Trans-Saharan Trade Route & The Kingdom of Mali Flashcards

Flashcards reviewing the economy, trade, and key figures of the Mali Empire, focusing on the Trans-Saharan trade route.

Trans-Saharan Trade Route

Trade across the Sahara Desert connecting West Africa with North Africa, Europe, and the Middle East.

Mali Kingdom

A powerful West African empire that flourished in the 14th century, extending from south of the Sahara Desert to the Atlantic Ocean.

Niger River

A major waterway exceeding 4,000 kilometers in length, flowing through the heart of the Mali Empire and crucial for trade.

Salt

A precious commodity mined from the Sahara, historically bartered for gold in West Africa.

Camels

The most widely used mode of transport along the Trans-Saharan trade route due to their ability to endure long periods without water and carry heavy loads.

Camel Caravan

A procession of camels traveling together in single file, used for transporting goods and people across the Sahara Desert.

Taghaza

A salt-rich village from which salt was transported to Mali; traders were taxed upon importing salt into the empire.

Timbuktu

A city situated on the southern edge of the Sahara Desert, founded in 1100 CE and made capital by Mansa Musa, flourishing as a center of learning and trade.

Mansa Musa

A renowned ruler of the Mali Kingdom who declared Islam the official state religion while upholding religious freedom for all citizens.

Cowrie Shells

The primary currency within the Mali Empire before the widespread adoption of modern coins and paper money.

Sankore University

A landmark in the history of education in Timbuktu, built and endowed by Sankore, attracting scholars from across the globe.

Timbuktu Manuscripts

Invaluable documents, primarily written in Arabic, serving as evidence of Africa's rich and sophisticated written history.

Ahmed Baba Institute

A state-of-the-art facility in Timbuktu housing approximately 300,000 ancient manuscripts, featuring advanced climate control systems for preservation.

Islam

A monotheistic religion that spread to West Africa through Arab Muslim traders, embraced by many West Africans for its favorable trading terms and access to literacy and education.

NEPAD

New Partnership for Africa's Development - an organization involved in the preservation and protection of cultural artifacts, including the Timbuktu Manuscripts.

Mansa

King or Emperor of Mali