Ch. 6.3 & 6.4 - Songhai Empire & Traditions

What description best explains how the Muslims influenced Askia’s leadership?

• Askia the Great destroyed education but strengthened the city of Timbuktu.

• Muslims overpowered Askia and took his leadership away.

• Many of the laws he made were similar to those of Muslim nations across the Sahara.

• To help maintain order Askia set up six provinces throughout the empire.

Why were the Berbers willing to trade with the Songhai?

• Both groups of people were Muslims.

• They shared ancestral history.

• They were so far away from the Songhai.

• They were planning to eventually invade the Songhai Empire.

Specialized government departments and a permanent professional army were contributions of which Songhai leader?

• Sunni Baru

• Askia the Great

• Mansa Musa

• Tunka Manin

Why were the written histories of West Africa written by people from other lands?

• The people of West Africa were not interested in keeping track of their histories

• The people of West Africa never traveled beyond the borders of their empires

• Very few travelers ever visited early West African empires

• The early people of West Africa had no written language and Muslim travelers did

African storytellers who memorize and recite the names and histories of their people are called?

• griots

• kente

• dausi

• battuta

What did most West African sculptors make their sculptures of?

• their animals

• their gods

• their leaders

• their ancestors

Why were griots so valued in West African society?

• They were the only link to the history of their people until writing was introduced by the Muslims

• They were most respected because of their age and knowledge

• They were always so funny they provided the primary source of entertainment

• Only very important citizens could become griots

Sundiata was which of the following?

• The great library in Mecca

• A made up story about a boy warrior

• The king and founder of the Mali Empire

• A trading center in West Africa

"Talking doesn't fill the basket in the farm" is an example of a West African...

• proverb

• epic poem

• folktale

• story