North and Central African Societies

Which relative would be important in tracing your descent in a matrilineal society?

• grandmother

• grandfather

• brother

• uncle

Identify the primary trading zones in Africa from which Africans were forcibly taken.

• West Africa and Central Africa

• North Africa and East Africa

• Southern Africa and Madagascar

• The Sahara Desert and the Nile Valley

The distribution of distinct African ethnic groups during the era of slavery shaped the development of African American communities in the U.S. by:

• Creating diverse cultural traditions and practices.

• Leading to a homogeneous African American culture.

• Preventing the formation of any distinct communities.

• Having no impact on the development of communities.

Describe the conditions of the three-part journey enslaved Africans endured during the slave trade.

• The journey was comfortable and safe.

• The journey was harsh and inhumane.

• The journey was short and uneventful.

• The journey was luxurious and pleasant.

is one in which people rely on family lineages to govern themselves, rather than an elected government or a monarch.

• Govern less society

• Homeless society

• Stateless Society

What is the dominant religion in North Africa?

• Christianity

• Islam

• Hinduism

• Buddhism

Answer explanation

The dominant religion in North Africa is Islam, with a significant majority of the population practicing this faith.

The photograph above of a mosque (first erected in the fourteenth century) in the modern-day West African country of Mali best exemplifies which of the following historical processes?

• a. Spread of religion along trade routes

• b. Abandonment of indigenous cultural styles in the face of colonization

• c. Conflict between local and universalizing religions

• d. Imposition of religion through military conquest

The reason Ibn Batutta was able to travel and record his findings on Mali and other world societies was due to:

• The ease of travel and welcoming societies

• Being a very rich and wealthy merchant

• The spread of Islam and cultural interaction

• His royal upbringing connections

Why was slave trading important for African kingdoms?

• It was a means to protect against European invasion.

• It brought them gold and other valuable resources.

• It increased their wealth and power within their societal hierarchy.

• It helped maintain traditional religious practices.

Answer explanation

Correct Answer: C) It increased their wealth and power within their societal hierarchy.

Explanation: Slave trading was a critical part of West African societies, which were often hierarchical. The capture and sale of enslaved people allowed African kingdoms to gain wealth and power. Enslaved individuals were traded to the Portuguese, and this practice reinforced existing social hierarchies within African societies.

How did bypassing trans-Saharan trade routes impact Portugal?

• It allowed them to access North African markets directly.

• It enabled direct trade with West African kingdoms, avoiding reliance on North African traders.

• It helped establish trade routes with Asia instead.

• It allowed for easier military campaigns in Africa.

Answer explanation

• Correct Answer: B) It enabled direct trade with West African kingdoms, avoiding reliance on North African traders.

• Explanation: By establishing direct trade routes with West African kingdoms, the Portuguese could bypass the traditional trans-Saharan routes controlled by North African traders. This allowed Portugal to secure valuable resources like gold and other goods directly from West Africa, reducing costs and enhancing their trade network.