West African Society

​Family Ties

​In west Africa, family members shared a strong sense of kinship.

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Kinship: a connection based on family and relationships

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Lineage : is a group of people who are related to a common ancestor.

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-->> Matrilineal & Patrilineal ​

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​lets analyze the diagram on pg 160

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Lineages were a part of clans.

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Clans: or larger groups of related families. ​

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ethnic group: shared a distinct culture, language, and identity.

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​The social Structure

​In west Africa a person caste: or social class

determined where they fell in terms of social structure.

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A persons caste was determined at birth

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At the top we had the emperor

Next came noble families

Below came the traders and free ppl pf towns

below came the caste workers ​

• In Mali the emperor rewarded noble generals with gold and horse​s. ​

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​West african slavery

​The lowest level of society was for slaves.

Some were born into slavery.

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They would perform many tasks.

In Songhai Empire, they served as soldiers.

In Mali Empire, they served in the royal court and government

Ex: one enslaved person became the emperor of Mali. ​

​City and village life

​Take home point:

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In urban areas, Arabic was the main language and worship.

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In rural villages, families spoke their native tongue and worshipped ancient gods. ​

​Farming villages

​The economy was based on producing food.

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Rice, yams, beans and other crops.

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Herders raised cattle and other animals for meat and milk.

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Fishers sold fresh and dried fish.

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​Trading cities

​trade was central to the economy

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caravan routes were packed with goods for sale

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the money used was gold coins or cowrie shells.

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read quote on pg 162.

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Trade allowed populations to increase.

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