1. Medieval Africa
Proverb: a short, pithy saying in general use, stating a general truth or piece of advice
Pithy: sends a powerful, forceful message in only a few words
On your whiteboards,
Explain your group’s proverb
Write your own proverb and add a little picture

11. Medieval Africa In our society, how do we make something “official?”
In Africa, there was no system of writing
History is told by “GRIOTS” – storytellers
Not classified as a “civilization”
Europeans told the story of Africa for a long time

12. Objective: SWBAT….
Compare and contrast African Kingdoms during the Medieval era.

13. Geography & African Civilizations
The Story of Africa
Geography & African Civilizations

14. Africa’s Size Second largest continent  11,700,000 sq. mi.
M I L E S
M I L E S
Second largest continent  11,700,000 sq. mi.
10% of the world’s population.
2 ½ times the size of the U. S.

15. Satellite View

16. The Sahara Desert

17. The African Savannah: 13 million sq. mi.

18. African Rain Forest Annual rainfall of up to 17 ft.
Rapid decomposition (very humid).
Covers 37 countries.
15% of the land surface of Africa.

19. The Mighty Nile River: “Longest River in the World”

20. The Niger River Basin Covers 7.5% of the continent.
Extends over 10 countries.
2,600 miles long.

21. Kingdom of Ghana

22. Kingdom of Ghana The “land of gold” Sophisticated government
Large armies

23. Kingdom of Mali

24. Kingdom of Mali Also founded on gold trade Took over after Ghana
Famous for powerful leaders
Sundiata Keita, the Lion King
Mansa Musa, some say the richest man who ever lived
And for important cities, like Timbuktu

25. Kingdom of Songhai

26. Kingdom of Songhai Known for leaders
King Sonni Ali
Askia Muhammand
Took over great gold and salt trade
Led Songhai as a center of culture and learning

27. Assignment Each table will create
1 African Mask
1 Rap
About an African Kingdom of your choice (Ghana, Mali or Songhai)
That fulfill the requirements on the assignment sheet
More info on African Masks on the next slide…

28. African masks
are used in religious and social events to represent the spirits of ancestors or to control the good and evil forces in the community
come to life, possessed by their spirit in the performance of the dance, and are enhanced by both the music and atmosphere of the occasion Some combine human and animal features to unite man with his natural environment