Empires of West Africa

Why was salt so valuable?

• Salt was used as a fertilizer for crops

• Salt was used in many religious ceremonies

• People needed salt in their diets and they used it to preserve and season foods

• Salt was used as a medicine

What was the name of the group that attacked Ghana and cut off their trade routes?

• Almoravids

• Vikings

• Mongols

• Visigoths

Reorder the following in the order in which the were in power:

• Mali

• Songhai

• Ghana

What is the name of the first king of Mali?

• Sundiata

• Musa I of Ghana

• Askia Muhammed I

• Mansa Musa II of Songhai

What was significant about the location of the Ghana and Mali empires?

• it had access to the Atlantic Ocean and therefore valuable shipping routes

• it was located between the gold mines in the south and valuable salt resources in the north

• the empire was isolated from other empires, keeping it safe from attacks

• most of the empire was located in the mountains overlooking other empires

_ = King

What is the name of the most famous king of Mali?

• Mansa Musa

• Sundiata Keita

• Askia Muhammad

• Abubakari II

What religion did Mansa Musa spread throughout West Africa?

• Christianity

• Islam

• Hinduism

• Buddhism

How did the location of cities in the West African empires of Ghana and Mali influence their growth?

• Their location in river valleys allowed for extensive farming.

• Their coastal location made the cities major ports for maritime trade.

• Their location on major trade routes allowed them to prosper economically.

• Their mountainous location made the cities easily defensible. 

_ was the ruler of Songhai that added universities, schools, libraries and mosques.