West African Kingdoms
Name: ________________ Date: _______ Period: _____
Directions: Using the website The Story of Africa (found on the wiki), select one of the kingdoms
outlined below. Read the information and pick out the key points for each category. Write
responses in complete sentences for full credit!
Ancient Ghana
Geography and Origin
Where was the Empire of Ghana located? Relate it to modern day countries.
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What caused the people in this region to form an empire?
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Natural Resources and Trade
What natural and human resources did this kingdom use to grow their wealth?
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Where did many traders come from to exchange goods with the Empire of Ghana?
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Religion and Culture
What religions were practiced in the empire? How did the importance of religion change over
time?
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Decline of the Empire of Ghana
What are some of the reasons why the Empire of Ghana went into decline?
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Around what time did the Empire of Ghana "end"? You can use the timeline link on the right side.
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Mali
Geography and Origin
Where was the Empire of Mali located? Relate it to modern day countries or rivers.
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How did the Empire come into existence? Who controlled the area before the Mali Empire?
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Natural Resources and Trade
What natural resources did this kingdom use to grow their wealth? Include three examples.
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Religion and Culture
What religions were practiced in the empire? Did all people follow the same faith?
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Choose one of the three major rulers mentioned in the text and briefly describe their
accomplishments and impact on the Empire of Mali.
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Decline of the Empire of Mali
What are some of reasons why the Empire of Mali went into decline?
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Around what time did the Empire of Mali "end"? Which Empire took its place in the region?
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Songhay (Songhai)
Geography and Origin
Where was the Empire of Songhai located? Relate it to modern day countries, rivers, or cities.
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What allowed the Songhay Empire to defeat the Mali Empire? Who was their leader?
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Natural Resources and Trade
What natural and human resources did this kingdom use to grow their wealth?
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What goods were imported and exported?
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Religion and Culture
What religions were practiced in the empire?
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What were some of the social classes (castes) found in the Songhay culture?
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Decline of the Empire of Songhay
What are some of reasons why the Empire of Songhay went into decline?
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Around what time did the Empire of Songhay "end"?
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West African Kingdoms
Graphic Organizer
Directions: With the information you have gathered about the three West African kingdoms, design a graphic organizer that sorts
the information into categories. Visualization is one of the best ways to remember and make sense of a lot of information. How can
you represent the notes you just took in an organized, visual way? Be creative!