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The Cultural Achievements of West Africa

Total questions: 14

Worksheet time: 8mins

Name
Class
Date
1.

What example best describes Oral tradition?

a)

a mothers photo album

b)

a brother playing with his siblings

c)

a ancient diary found at the base of ancient ruins

d)

a father telling a story about his childhood

2.

What method did West Africans use to maintain their historical narratives before the advent of writing?

a)

They carved symbols into stone tablets.

b)

They created elaborate murals depicting historical events.

c)

They relied on oral traditions through Griots who memorized and recited stories.

d)

They used foreign traders to document their history.

3.

The genealogy of the Harper family gives information about the family member's

a)

jobs.

b)

houses

c)

ancestry.

d)

Recreation.

4.

This instrument consists of wooden keys that are struck with mallets to produce sound, similar to a xylophone.

a)

djembe

b)

mbira

c)

balafon

d)

koto

5.

During a cultural festival at school, Charlotte wore a beautiful and symbolic type of West African textile. It is called..

a)

call-and-response

b)

terra-cotta

c)

applique

d)

kente

6.

What was the primary way traditional West African folktales were introduced to the Americas?

a)

Through trade routes.

b)

By enslaved individuals.

c)

Via exploration expeditions.

d)

Written by missionaries.

7.

In many West African folktales, the trickster character often

a)

relies on brute force to win.

b)

uses cleverness to deceive others.

c)

narrates tales of ancient times.

d)

depends on sheer luck to succeed.

8.
What does the proverb below indicate about West African society?“Every time an old man dies, it is as if a library has burned down."
a)
the value placed on books
b)
the significance of visual arts
c)
the importance of oral tradition
d)
the respect paid to young people
9.

Which language was predominantly used for writing in West African manuscripts during the medieval period?

a)

Latin

b)

Arabic

c)

Mande

d)

Egyptian

10.

Avery is preparing for a music history exam and needs to identify which of the following music genres DOES NOT use the West African call-and-response style. Can you help Avery choose the correct option?

a)

jazz

b)

gospel

c)

blues

d)

classical

e)

Rap

11.

"How did the tradition of call and response originate in West Africa, and how did it make its way to the Americas? In what ways has call and response influenced different styles of music? Can you identify any songs or genres you listen to today that use call and response? Explain your answer with examples."

4 lines
12.
How did West Africans record their history.
a)
orally
b)
in books
c)
on tape
d)
with hyroglyphs
13.
These people passed on traditions of their people through songs and stories.
a)
Griots
b)
Doctors
c)
Kings
d)
Berbers
14.

The remarkable oral tradition of sub-Saharan Africa was preserved primarily by

a)

Muslim African scholars.

b)

professional singers and griots.

c)

village chiefs and diviners.

d)

women.