Chapter 7 WHAP: African Civilizations and the Spread of Islam

Maghrib

The Arabic word for western North Africa

Sahel

Northern grassland region of Sub-Saharan Africa, stretching south of the desert

Sudanic

A term describing the major African languages spoken from Ethiopia to Senegal

Sundiata

The "Lion Prince"; a member of the Keita clan; created a unified state that became the Mali Empire; died about 1260

Juula

Malinke merchants; formed small partnerships to carry out trade throughout Mali empire; eventually spread throughout much of West Africa

Griots

Professional oral historians who served as keepers of traditions and advisors to kings within the Mali Empire

Timbuktu

Port city of Mali; located just off the flood plain on the great bend in the Niger River; population of 50,000; contained a library and university.

Songhay

Successor state to Mali; dominated middle reaches of Niger valley; formed as independent kingdom under a Berber dynasty; capital at Gao; reached imperial status under Sunni Ali

Muhammad the Great

Islamic ruler of the mid-16th century; extended the boundaries of the Songhay Empire

Hausa

Peoples of northern Nigeria; formed states following the demise of Songhay Empire that combined Muslim and pagan traditions

Benin

Powerful city-state (in present-day Nigeria) which came into contact with the Portuguese in 1485 but remained relatively free of European influence; important commercial and political entity until the 19th century.

Demography

Scientific study of human populations.

Kongo

Kingdom, based on agriculture, formed on lower Congo River by late 15th century; capital at Mbanza Kongo; ruled by hereditary monarchy.

Great Zimbabwe

Bantu confederation of Shona-speaking peoples located between Zambezi and Limpopo rivers; developed after 9th century; featured royal courts built of stone; created centralized state by 15th century; king took title of Mwene Mutapa