Cultural Geography of Africa South of the Sahara: The Sahel

o Essential Questions: How has physical geography affected where people have settled in Africa South of the Sahara? o Learning Target: IWBAT explain how the Sahel’s culture is unique. o Formative Assessment(s): What are three aspects of culture in the Sahel?

Cultural Geography of Africa South of the Sahara: The Sahel Bellwork Write down anything you know about culture in the Sahel Reminder, aspects of culture include: Social organization, Customs and traditions, Languages, Arts and literature, Religion, Forms of government, Economic systems, Food and clothing, Music and dance

Classwork – TOGETHER, read about Population Patterns on pages 525 – Write and answer the following questions in your notes: 1.What six countries are found in the Sahel? 2.What are the five largest ethnic groups in the Sahel? 3.What is the main religion in the Sahel? What other religions are practiced? 4.What two problems in the Sahel have driven people to the cities? 5.Is the Sahel more rural or urban?

Sahel Fun Facts – It covers over 1 million square miles and several countries, including Sudan, Senegal and Mauritania. The topography of the Sahel Desert is mostly flat, with some mountainous regions. – The climate of the area is tropical and seasonal with average temperatures ranging from degrees Fahrenheit. – The Sahel Desert has a poor population, due in part to the 1970s drought and famine that killed 200,000 people. Electricity and running water are lacking, and there is lots of conflict over the decreasing water and land.

Classwork – TOGETHER, read about History and Government on pages – Write and answer the following questions in your notes: 1.Why did people move towards the Sahel in 2000 B.C.? What did they bring with them? 2.What empire gained power in present day Sudan after the fall of the Egyptian civilization? 3.Which two trade empires gained power in West Africa? 4.What challenges did African countries face after gaining independence from Europe? 5.What is the cultural difference between North and South Sudan?

Timbuktu Fun Facts – Timbuktu is a city in the West African nation of Mali situated 12 miles north of the Niger River on the southern edge of the Sahara Desert. – The rapid economic growth in the 13th and 14th centuries due to trade in salt, gold, ivory and other things, positioned the legendary city as one of the greatest academic and commercial centers in the world. – Under the Songhai empire, the city became a great Muslim educational center, with more than 180 universities. By the end of Mansa Musa’s reign, the Sankoré mosque, also known as the University of Sankoré, was one of the first universities ever built in the world. – Timbuktu is also known as the “City of 333 Saints” because 333 saints were laid to rest in the city. These were celebrated Muslim scholars and teachers who were revered for their exceptional wisdom, scholarship and generosity.

Classwork – TOGETHER, read about Culture on pages – Write and answer the following questions in your notes: 1.What are three examples of African art? 2.Written literature is less common in the Sahel. How do they pass stories down to younger generations? 3.What are three ways families are organized in the Sahel? 4.Why do so few children attend school in the Sahel? 5.What are two results for women of poor healthcare?

Formative Assessment – What are three aspects of culture in the Sahel? – Reminder, aspects of culture include: Social organization, Customs and traditions, Languages, Arts and literature, Religion, Forms of government, Economic systems, Food and clothing, Music and dance