longest river in West Africa; a trading highway in early times.

trade across the Sahara Desert

first West African Empire that became wealthy through controlling the salt and gold trade.

second West African empire that prospered from gold-salt trade. After converting to Islam, became a center of Muslim culture.

first West African ruler who converted to Islam and took a famous pilgrimage to Mecca.

largest of the West African trading empires, known for spreading Islam and the Arabic language in West Africa.

Professional story-tellers or oral historians; record keepers of their culture

a story usually passed down orally that becomes part of a community's tradition

wise sayings that are quick ways of sharing wisdom

a huge web of trade routes that connected Southeast Asia,

India, Arabia, & East Africa across the Indian Ocean.

a new culture formed in trading towns along East Africa; also a language of East Africa.