Chapter 8

Question 1

side note

Answer 1

African societies developed diverse forms, from stateless societies organized around kinship or age sets to large centralized states, and within this diversity were many shared aspects of language and beliefs. Universalistic faiths penetrated the continent and served as the basis for important cultural developments in Nubia and Ethiopia.

Question 2

stateless societies

Answer 2

African societies organized around kinship or other forms of obligation and lacking the concentration of political power and authority associated with states.

Question 3

Ifriqiya

Answer 3

the Arabic term for eastern north Africa

Question 4

Maghrib

Answer 4

The Arabic word for western north Africa

Question 5

Almohadis

Answer 5

A reformist movement among the Islamic Berbers of northern Africa; later than the Almoravids; penetrated into sub-Saharan Africa

Question 6

side note

Answer 6

In the Sahel grasslands, several powerful states emerged that combined Islamic religion and culture with local practices. The kingdoms of Mali and Songhay and the Hausa states were African adaptations of Islam and its fusion with African traditions.

Question 7

juula

Answer 7

Malinke merchants; formed small partnerships to carry out trade throughout Mali Empire; eventually spread throughout much of west Africa

Question 8

Sundiata

Answer 8

the “Lion Prince”; a member of the Keita clan; created a unified state that became the Mali Empire; died about 1260

Question 9

griots

Answer 9

Professional oral historians who served as keepers of traditions and advisors to kings within the Mali Empire

Question 10

Timbuktu

Answer 10

Port city of Mali; located just off the flood plain on the great bend in the Niger River; population of 50,000; contained a library and university

Question 11

Songhay

Answer 11

Successor state to Mali; dominated middle reaches of Niger valley; formed as independent kingdom under a Berber dynasty; capital at Gao; reached imperial status under Sunni Ali (1464-1492)

Question 12

Muhammad the Great

Answer 12

extended the boundaries of the Songhay Empire; Islamic ruler of the mid-16th century

Question 13

Hausa

Answer 13

Peoples of northern Nigeria; formed states following the demise of Songhay Empire that combined Muslim and pagan traditions

Question 14

Sharia

Answer 14

Islamic law; defined among other things the patrilineal nature of Islamic inheritance

Question 15

Ibn Batuta

Answer 15

(b. 1304) Arab traveler who described African societies and cultures in his travel records

Question 16

side note

Answer 16

A string of Islamicized African ports tied to the trade across the Indian Ocean dotted the east African coast. Although these cities were Islamicized, African customs and the Bantu Swahili language remained so strong that they represented a cultural fusion, mostly limited to the coast.

Question 17

Zenj

Answer 17

Arabic term for the east African coast

Question 18

side note

Answer 18

Across central Africa, kingdoms developed that were supported by complex agrarian societies capable of great artistic achievements. At Benin, in the Kongo, in the Yoruba city-states, and at Great Zimbabwe, royal authority- often considered divinely inspired- led to the creation of powerful states.

Question 19

demography

Answer 19

the study of population

Question 20

demographic transition

Answer 20

shift to low birth rate, low infant death rate, stable populations; first emerged in western Europe and United States in late 19th century

Question 21

Benin

Answer 21

Powerful city-state (in present -day Nigeria) which came into contact with the Portuguese in 1485 but remained relatively free of European influence; important commercial and political entity until the 19th century

Question 22

Kongo

Answer 22

Kingdom, based on agriculture, formed on lower Congo River by late 15th century; capital at Mbanza Kongo; ruled by hereditary monarchy

Question 23

Great Zimbabwe

Answer 23

Bantu confederation of Shona-speaking peoples located between Zambezi and Limpopo rivers; developed after 9th century; featured royal courts built of stone; created centralized state by 15th century; king took title of Mwene Mutapa