1. Kingdoms and Trading States of Africa
Section 4: Societies in Medieval Africa
Witness History Audio: Cultural Variety
Family Patterns
In medieval Africa, the family was the basic unit of society—either the nuclear family or the extended family. Some families were patrilineal, others were matrilineal. Each family belonged to a lineage. Several lineages formed a clan.
Listen to the Witness History audio. Then read aloud the main idea for each subheading in this section and show the related visuals.
After listening to the Witness History audio, ask, “Do you think someone who saw this relationship pattern today would be as surprised as Battuta? Why or why not? (Answers will vary.)
After showing Color Transparencies 69 and 69, have students create their own textile design or mask.
Note Taking Transparency 95
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2. Kingdoms and Trading States of Africa
Section 4: Societies in Medieval Africa
Political Patterns
Smaller medieval African societies were often governed through power sharing. Decisions were often made by consensus. For villages that were part of a large kingdom, rules were often set from afar or determined by an official appointed by a king.
Religious Beliefs
Listen to the Witness History audio. Then read aloud the main idea for each subheading in this section and show the related visuals.
After listening to the Witness History audio, ask, “Do you think someone who saw this relationship pattern today would be as surprised as Battuta? Why or why not? (Answers will vary.)
After showing Color Transparencies 69 and 69, have students create their own textile design or mask.
Before the arrival of Islam and Christianity in Africa, religions were many and complex, often involving gods and goddesses who controlled the forces of nature and a supreme being who created and ruled the universe. Some African peoples believed in the power of ancestral spirits.
Color Transparency 68: African Textiles
Color Transparency 69: Masks of Africa
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3. Kingdoms and Trading States of Africa
Section 4: Societies in Medieval Africa
Traditions in Art and Literature
African art involved many different materials. The art either decorated useful things or existed just to be seen. Patterns often had special meanings and were identified with a particular clan or royal court. Statues and other objects were often important parts of religious ceremonies.
Listen to the Witness History audio. Then read aloud the main idea for each subheading in this section and show the related visuals.
After listening to the Witness History audio, ask, “Do you think someone who saw this relationship pattern today would be as surprised as Battuta? Why or why not? (Answers will vary.)
After showing Color Transparencies 69 and 69, have students create their own textile design or mask.
QuickTake Section Quiz
Progress Monitoring Transparency
QuickTake Chapter Test
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4. Kingdoms and Trading States of Africa: Section 4
Note Taking Transparency 95
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5. Kingdoms and Trading States of Africa: Section 4
Color Transparency 68: African Textiles
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6. Kingdoms and Trading States of Africa: Section 4
Color Transparency 69: Masks of Africa
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7. Kingdoms and Trading States of Africa: Section 4
Progress Monitoring Transparency (1 of 2)
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8. Kingdoms and Trading States of Africa: Section 4
Progress Monitoring Transparency (2 of 2)
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