WEST AFRICA-HISTORY AND CULTURE CHAPTER 21: SECTION 2 PG. 520

MAP OF WEST AFRICA

HISTORY Much of what we know about West Africa's early history is based on archeology. - Archeology - the study of the past based on what people left behind - Oral History- spoken record of past events, not as reliable.

Great Kingdoms  One of the earliest kingdoms in Africa was Ghana (800 AD), by controlling the Sahara trade in gold and salt they became extremely powerful and wealthy. According to legends, the kingdom of Ghana was overthrown by the kingdom of Mali.  Mali’s most famous ruler was a king named Mansa Musa. Mansa Musa used his wealth and trade connections to support artists and scholars.  Upon the decline of Mali, a new kingdom emerged, the kingdom of Songhai. Songhai was known for its many mosques and being a center for culture and learning, Songhai's most famous city was Timbuktu.  One of the earliest kingdoms in Africa was Ghana (800 AD), by controlling the Sahara trade in gold and salt they became extremely powerful and wealthy. According to legends, the kingdom of Ghana was overthrown by the kingdom of Mali.  Mali’s most famous ruler was a king named Mansa Musa. Mansa Musa used his wealth and trade connections to support artists and scholars.  Upon the decline of Mali, a new kingdom emerged, the kingdom of Songhai. Songhai was known for its many mosques and being a center for culture and learning, Songhai's most famous city was Timbuktu.

The Slave Trade In the 1500s the demand for labor in the American colonies increased, leading European traders to began selling enslaved Africans to the colonists.

The Slave Trade  Many families in West African were broken up when members were kidnapped and enslaved. Many Africans died on the long and rough voyages to the Americas.  The slave trade did not end until the 1800s, and by then millions of Africans had been enslaved.  Many families in West African were broken up when members were kidnapped and enslaved. Many Africans died on the long and rough voyages to the Americas.  The slave trade did not end until the 1800s, and by then millions of Africans had been enslaved.

Culture: People and Languages  West African societies are very diverse, their culture reflects three main influences; traditional African cultures, European culture, and Islam.  Hundreds of different languages are spoken in West Africa because of the many different ethnic groups. Speaking French, English and Portuguese helps the different ethnic groups communicate.  West African societies are very diverse, their culture reflects three main influences; traditional African cultures, European culture, and Islam.  Hundreds of different languages are spoken in West Africa because of the many different ethnic groups. Speaking French, English and Portuguese helps the different ethnic groups communicate.

Culture: Religion  Animism - the belief that bodies of water, animals, trees and other natural objects have spirits. Traditional religions of West Africans have often been based on animism.  Islam - North African traders brought Islam to West Africa. Most West Africans who live in the Sahel practice Islam.  Christianity - Europeans introduced Christianity to West Africa. Christianity is the most common religion south of the Sahel.  Animism - the belief that bodies of water, animals, trees and other natural objects have spirits. Traditional religions of West Africans have often been based on animism.  Islam - North African traders brought Islam to West Africa. Most West Africans who live in the Sahel practice Islam.  Christianity - Europeans introduced Christianity to West Africa. Christianity is the most common religion south of the Sahel.

Culture: Clothing, family and Homes

West African Masks Mask are used in ceremonies or to prepare boys and girls for adulthood. The wearer is believed to become what the mask represents.