African Civilizations Vocabulary Quiz

Fill in the blank: The term 'Matrilineal' means ____________.

• Tracing descent through the mother's line.

• Tracing descent through the father's line.

• Inheritance through the eldest son.

• A society ruled by women.

Fill in the blank: The term 'Clan' means ____________.

• A group of families with a common ancestor.

• A type of traditional dance.

• A festival celebrated annually.

• A type of ancient weapon.

Fill in the blank: The term 'Griot' means ____________.

• A West African storyteller, historian, and musician who maintains the oral history of a family or village.

• A traditional West African dish made from rice and vegetables.

• A type of drum used in African music ceremonies.

• A sacred river in West Africa known for its healing properties.

Fill in the blank: ________ is the collection and study of historical information using sound recordings of interviews with people having personal knowledge of past events.

• Oral History

• Archaeology

• Genealogy

• Paleography

Fill in the blank: A ________ is an area of relatively level high ground.

• Plateau

• Valley

• Delta

• Canyon

Fill in the blank: ________ are grassy plains in tropical and subtropical regions, with few trees.

• Savannas

• Deserts

• Tundras

• Rainforests

What is the meaning of the word 'Spiritual'?

• Relating to or affecting the human spirit or soul as opposed to material or physical things.

• Relating to financial matters and wealth.

• Connected to physical exercise and sports.

• Describing something that is purely scientific.

What is the meaning of the word 'Sugarcane'?

What is the meaning of the word 'Swahili'?

• A Bantu language widely spoken in East Africa; also refers to the culture and people who speak this language.

• A traditional dance from West Africa.

• A type of African drum.

• A mountain range in Central Africa.