Society, Culture, and Trade in Early West African Societies Answers

Review the image showing a mosque in Timbuktu, a city in western Africa.

Why did the West African kingdoms profit from the trans-Saharan trade?

What factor most contributed to labor specialization in West Africa?

Which group of people were part of the upper class of ancient West African society?

Review the image showing the Sankore mosque in Timbuktu.

Why were West African trading centers home to many people who adopted Islam?

West African kingdoms were located along which river?

Read the passage from "The Creation of the World: A Yoruba Myth.”In the beginning, the world was only water. God looked down at the water from the sky, and decided to create land. God called his messenger Obatala, and told him to create land. Obatala was honored to be given such an important task. He called his helper Oduduwa to tell him the news. They filled a large pot with soil, and caught a chicken to take with them. They threw a rope down to the Earth. They began to climb down. When they were halfway to Earth, they stopped at a feast. Obatala ate too much and fell asleep. When Oduduwa found him asleep, he picked up the soil and the chicken and continued on the journey. Finally, Oduduwa reached the Earth. He sprinkled the soil over the water. He let the chicken go. The chicken ran in circles, making the soil spread in every direction until there was land. Oduduwa and the chicken created land from what used to be water. When Obatala finally woke up, he saw that Oduduwa had created land. He was very sad. He had missed his chance to create the world! God saw that Obatala regretted being lazy, and gave him another task. Obatala would create people for the Earth.

How did griots preserve West African culture?

What was the basic unit of social organization in ancient West African society?