Sudan Flashcards
What is Sudan?
A region of West Africa that Muslims migrated to
South of Sahara Desert, North and West of dense rainforests
What is Sudan blessed with, geographically?
2 rivers, allows enough water for a large population, watering crops, and producing fertile soil
What allowed people of Sudan to explore the rest of the world?
the introduction of the camel in 100AD
“The ship of the desert”
Why was the camel important?
it can withstand great heat, can carry weight, needs little water
it made the Sahara desert a barrier no more
allows trade and connection to outside world
What were the main two staples of trade in Africa?
Gold: deposits south of Sudan in forests
Salt: a staple for life, food taste enhancer, preserves food, deposits in Sahara desert
What were the 3 great civilizations of Sudan?
Ghana, Mali, and Songhai
all of them were distinct from each other, from language to culture
When did Ghana rise and fall?
300 - 1076
Who rose to power after the fall of Ghana?
Sundiata Keita, 1230 - 1255, King of Mali
What was Sundiata Keita known for?
A great military leader who conquered a great empire
relied on salt trade for gold
first king in Sudan to adopt Islam, and influences his subjects to follow Islam, although not enforced.
What did the introduction of Islam bring to Mali?
arabic system of writing, allows great works of literature and written history
Scholars traveled to centers of learning like Baghdad and also created Timbuktu
established a bureaucracy of intelligent people
Who was the next king of Mali?
Mansa Musa, 1312 - 1337
What was Mansa Musa known for?
controlled the 2nd largest empire on earth
had world famous wealth
led a pilgrimage to Mecca, Brought 60,000 Mali subjects and 2,000lbs of gold to pay for journey and to give to charity
Why did Mali decline after the rule of Musa?
They did not practice primogeniture
sons of king would engage in civil war to claim the throne and weakens the civilization
allows ethnic groups to rise rebellion
Who established Songhai?
Sonni Ali, 1464 - 1492 (Ali the Great)
conquered most of Sudan
How did Sonni Ali conquer Sudan?
great general large army, 200,000 soldiers had lots of horses, large calvary built huge navy of 400 ships to control the rivers of Sudan, allowing control of trade and people enemies believed that he knew magic
