The Culture and Kingdom of West Africa

The area of semidesert that is both south of the Sahara and has mild vegetations is called the

• Sahara

• Sahel

• Savanna

• Senegal

The savanna is a vegetation zone of tall grasses and trees. This is due to its

• very dry climate.

• very rocky plains.

• long rainy season.

• mountainous land.

West Africa's geography influenced the__________ that developed there.

• forms of authority

• extended families

• religious beliefs

• patterns of trade

Originally in Ghana, which of the following people would inherit the throne if the king died?

• the son of the king

• the son of the king's sister

• the daughter of the king

• the daughter of the king's sister

Ghana was wealthy because the government

• did not allow foreigners to travel into Ghana.

• distributed gold to its citizens.

• collected taxes on goods passing through Ghana.

• placed heavy taxes on its people.

How did the introduction of camels around 300 C.E. cause the trans-Saharan trade to grow?

• Traders could establish new routes across the Sahara.

• Traders did not have to pay taxes if they traveled with camels.

• Traders used the camels to find water.

• Traders sold camels to West Africans.

What product did people from North Africa want most?

• salt

• gold

• copper

• silk

Salt was important to West Africans because...

• it is an essential mineral nutrient.

• it preserved their food so it didn't spoil.

• it enhanced the flavor of their food.

• all of the answer choices

How did Islam first reach Ghana?

• by the Arab Muslim armies that conquered Ghana

• after a Ghanaian king had a vision of Muhammad

• through Muslim traders and missionaries

• after Ghanaian scholars traveled to the Middle East for their studies

How did Muslim rulers change the line of succession in West Africa?

• Leadership now passed from mother to daughter.

• The right to rule now became patrilineal.

• The people now elected their rulers.

• Rulers now decided who would succeed them to the throne.