Empires and Cultures of Africa

I. Introduction

II. Geography and Settlement Patterns

A. North African Coast

B. Sahara Desert

C. Savanna

D. Tropical Rain Forest

E. Temperate Zones (South and East)

III. Social Life and Customs

A. Systems of Social Class

B. Occupation and “Age Grade” Groups

C. Systems of Slavery

D. Religious Practices

IV. West African Kingdoms

A. Empire of Ghana

1. Role of the Caravan Trade

2. Expansion and Islam

3. Almoravid Attacks and Decline

B. Mali Empire

1. Life of Sundiata (ruled 1240-1255)

2. Mansa Musa (ruled 1312-1337)
C. Songhai Empire

1. Taking Taghaza and Upsetting the Balance

2. The Coming of Gunpowder Armies

V. Conclusion

Key Terms

tsetse fly, anopheles mosquito

ironwork, tanning, potting

slavery in Africa

Ghana

Mali Empire

Sundiata

Mansa Musa

Songhai Empire

Timbuktu

Taghaza

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