1. African Empires

2. #1: Point out 3 things about the map

3. Bantu Migration 3,000 BC - Farmers, herders
Known for: Iron working, slash and burn
Over 1,500 yrs, they migrated to S. Africa
Cultural blending:
Swahili – Arabic and Persian & Bantu
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4. #2: Think about synchronized swimming Then, infer what religious syncretism means.

5. Religion in Africa Animism – Islam – Christianity –
The belief that spirits are present in animals, plants, and other natural objects
Islam –
Spread into Northern Africa through trade and conquest
Christianity –
Brought into the Kingdom of Aksum
Religious Syncretism –
Blending of religions

6. #3: Locate the Sahara desert
#3: Locate the Sahara desert. What would be worth the travel across the desert to trade?

7. Trans Saharan Trade Forests in West Africa – deposits of gold
However, lacked salt
Sahara desert rich in salt
Cultural blending

8. #4. Draw the kingdoms of Ghana, Mali, and Songhai.

9. Ghana Became rich from taxing traders
Commanded an army and controlled trade
Influenced by Islam
Muslim Almoravids conquered and disrupted Ghana’s trade

10. #5. What was the artist trying to portray in this picture?

11. Mali New gold found east of Ghana Twice size of Ghana
Sundiata – first great warrior leader of Mali
Mansa Musa – ruler of Mali who went on hajj
Gave away enormous amounts of gold
Europeans learned of Mali’s wealth
Timbuktu – famous city in Mali, mosques, universities

12. Sunni Ali Askia Muhammad
#6. What can you infer from the names of two famous Songhai leaders below?
Sunni Ali
Askia Muhammad

13. Songhai New gold fields developed eastward
Sunni Ali - military leader who expanded territory
Conquered Timbuktu
Askia Muhammad – took over after Ali’s son was not a Muslim
Led empire at its peak

14. #7. Predict how Songhai might fall
#7. Predict how Songhai might fall. (The last of the West African Empries)

15. The Fall Songhai lacked modern weapons
1304 – Arabs developed first gun
1591 – Moroccan army invaded Songhai with gunpowder and cannons
Ended a 1,000 year period of powerful West African kingdoms