Chapter 3

World Studies - BJU, 3rd edition. 1000-1650 AD

savannah

a large area of flat grasslands

Dark Ages

advanced cities in Europe that were built and were African empires

Where did Africans grow yams?

in tropical forests

Where did the production of silk probably develop indenpendently?

Africa

What clan believed in one god?

Kikuyu

What do Coptics believe that the cathedral at Aksum contains?

the ark of the covenant

Where were a number of unusual churches at Lalibela at?

carved into rock below ground level

What eventually happened to the rulers of Ghana?

They became Muslims by the eleventh century

From who did African towns trade with merchants?

India

What was the leader of Ethiopia’s title?

“The Conquering Lion of the Trible of Judah”

Who does Coptic teaching regard Menelik as the offspring of?

Solomon

Cathay

an ancient name for China

What kingdom was located on the Nile River between Eqypt and Ethiopia?

Kush

What material did Africans forge their tools into and used as a form of money?

iron

Why did early African tribes need to migrate?

The soil became less productive, and the food for livestock decreased.

How did Islam spread to sub-Sahara Africa?

gradually through Muslim merchants

How did Ghana grow into an empire?

through extensive trade that passed across western Europe

What led to the decline of Timuktu?

warfare that disrupted trade and stopped the flow of wealth into the city

Why was the west coast of Africa referred to as the Gold Coast?

the abundance of gold mined in this region

Why was the camel called the “ship of the desert”?

They were uniquely suited for this harsh region. They can store energy-rich and store enough liquid to survive for 5-7 days.

How did the development of Swahili enhance trade?

This common language enabled many tribes and nationalities to carry on trade.

Why did Zimbabwe’s empire decline?

No one knows, but God.

Sahel

a narrow strip of land between the Sahara and the savannah

clan

largest family group in Africa

tribes

Two or more clans that shared the same language, beliefs, and customs.

Kikuyu

An African tribe that believed in one god, Ngai.

animism

The belief of some Africans that some spirits lived in trees, rocks, rivers or mountains.

Why types of foods were grown in sub-Saharan Africa?

grains, watermelon, peas, and roots (yams)

Why did the Africans avoid killing their livestock?

They were considered a sign of wealth, so people used them for milk and other products

Which African clan in Kenya believed in one god and had an account of Creation that somewhat resembled the account in Scripture?

the Kikuyu clan

How did the spread of Islam in sub-Saharan Africa differ from that in northern Africa?

In the sub-Saharan, it followed trade routes. It was gradual and generally nonviolent. But in northern Africa, it resulted from rapid military conquest.

Ethiopia

A name given for Aksum and all the territories below it by the Greeks.

Fermentius

a slave that rose in favor with the king and introduced Coptic Christianity to the people.

Ghana

An ancient African empire that grew from the extensive passing through western Africa around the 4th century.

Lalibela

A city where unique structures were built for worship by the Coptic Church.

Mali

An empire in western Africa, led by King Sunjata, that defeated the present rulers. They controlled land across the east side of the savannah. It raised a large army and controlled trade, especially for gold.

Musa

a ruler in Mali, who converted to Islam. He made his pilgrimage to Mecca, and gave away so much gold that the value of gold reduced in that region for several years.

Songhai

An empire that replaced Mali. It was founded by Sunni Ali. Ali conquered land along the Niger River and westward to the remnants of the Mali Empire. He had a hard time keeping a good relationship with his people and key Muslim merchants in new cities, especially the city of Timbuktu.

Timbuktu

An empire that collapsed in 1591 when it was overrun by Moroccan forces with muzzle-loading firearms.

camels

They were a big part of agriculture and helping with trading due to their ability to go without water for days.

Gold Coast

a region that Europeans that was given his name because of the abundance of gold mined there.

What name did the Greeks give to Aksum and all territories below it?

Ethiopia

What was the name of the slave who introduced Coptic Christianity to Ethiopia?

Frumentius

The 3 early empires of West Africa in the order of which they came to power?

Ghana, Mali, Songhai

Famous city located near the Niger River

Timbuktu

What animal could store its food and water and travel for 5-7 days without water. It also can withstand extreme temperatures in the desert.

camel

Why did Christianity decline while Islam expanded in West Africa?

Islam came to West Africa with Muslim traders. Continued Muslim migration to West Africa led to a dominance of Islam and conversion of African rulers to Islam.

Swahili

a trade language built upon the Bantu lanugage

Zimbabwe

a great city established on the Zimbabwe Plateau. It thrived on raising cattle and exporting gold, slaves, and ivory on the coast. It expanded and built massive stone buildings and enclosures.

Kilwa

a key port through which the city of Zimbabwe’s gold was transported north.

3 products traded in East Africa

gold, ivory and precious stones

What trade language developed from the Bantu dialect?

Swahili

Good traveled from East Africa to what distant lands?

India and China

What was the name of the city where the Great Enclosure was built?

Great Zimbabwe

What city became a key coastal port for the empire of Zimbabwe?

Kilwa

What do the remains of thousands of cattle bones indicate about the city of Zimbabwe?

A large number of very wealthy people lives there who could afford the luxury of eating beef.

What religion did Ibn Battuta find in Kilwa?

Islam

Why did the people of Kilwa engage in jihad (holy war)?

Because they considered the non-Muslims to be” heathen”