West African Kingdoms- Ghana, Mali and Songhai

Ghana

West African state that supplied the majority of the world's gold from 500 CE-1400's

Niger River Valley

fertile land good for farming. Had money trade routes and was a good source of transportation.

Gold-Salt Trade

An important trade of resources, in the Kingdoms of Ghana and Mali

Matrilineal

based on or tracing descent through the female line

Animism

The belief that bodies of water, animals, trees, and other natural objects have spirits

Shaman

an ancient doctor, healer, or priest, they were called upon for religious ceremonies

Mali

The kingdom in West Africa that followed the Kingdom of Ghana; its wealth is also based on trans-Saharan trade; this kingdom encouraged the spread of Islam.

Mansa Musa

Emperor of the kingdom of Mali in Africa. He made a famous pilgrimage to Mecca and established trade routes to the Middle East.

Sundiata

the founder of Mali empire. He crushed his enemies and won control of the gold trade routes

Timbuktu

Mali trading city that became a center of wealth and learning

Gao

Capital of Songhai

Songhai

a West African empire that conquered Mali and controlled trade from the 1400s to 1591

nuclear family

Mother, father and children living as a unit

extended family

a family including grandparents, aunts, uncles, and other relatives, who all live nearby or in one household.

Griot

A West African storyteller

Anansi the Spider

The "Trickster" character from the folk tales of Ghana, always getting into trouble.

oral tradition

Literature that passes by word of mouth from one generation to the next.