A puritanical reformist movement among the Islamic Berbers of northern Africa; controlled gold trade across Sahara; conquered Ghana in 1076; moved southward against African Kingdoms of the savanna and westward into Spain
Sahel
The extensive grassland belt at the southern edge of the Sahara, a point of exchange between the forests to the south and northern Africa
Sudanic states
Kingdoms that developed during the height of Ghana’s power in the region; based at Takrur in the Senegal river to the west and Gao on the Niger river to the east, included Mali and Songhay
Sundiata
“The Lion Prince”; a member of th Keita clan; created a unified state that became the Mali empire; died about 1260
Griots
Professional oral historians who served as keepers of traditions and advisors to kings within the Mali Empire
Ibn Batuta
Arabic traveler who described African societies and cultures in his travel records
Timbuktu
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
Songhay
Succesor 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
Nok
Culture featuring highly developed art style flourishing between 500 bce and 200 CE; located in forests of central Nigeria
Benin
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
Kongo
Kingdm based on agriculture, formed on lower Congo River by late 15th century
Great Zimbabwe
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