Africa Civilizations Terms and People Review

rifts a long, deep valley formed by the movement of the earth’s crust rifts a long, deep valley formed by the movement of the earth’s crust

sub-Saharan Africa Africa south of the Sahara

Sahel a semi-arid region in Africa south of the Sahara that separates the desert from wetter areas

Savannah an open grassland with scattered trees

rain forests a moist, densely wooded area that contains many different plants and animals

extended family a family group that includes the father, mother, children, and close relatives extended family a family group that includes the father, mother, children, and close relatives

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

Tunka Manin King of the Ghana Empire; his kingdom was visited by Muslim writers

silent barter a process in which people exchange goods without contacting each other directly

Sundiata Founder of the Mali Empire

Mansa Musa Mali’s greatest and most famous mansa, or ruler. A devout Muslim. Made a pilgrimage to Mecca.

proverbs short sayings of wisdom or truth

oral history a spoken record of past events

griots a West African storyteller

Sunni Ali Emperor of Songhai. (Sunni means emperor) Conquered Mali and made Songhai into a powerful state.

kente a hand-woven, brightly colored West African fabric

Askia the Great Songhai ruler. High point of Songhai culture.