Starter quiz
- Match the words with their definitions. Write the correct letter in each box.
- pilgrimage⇔a holy journey ✓
- Hajj⇔the Muslim pilgrimage to Mecca ✓
- trade⇔the exchange of goods ✓
- In which year did Mansa Musa embark on the Hajj?
- 1324 ✓
- 1312
- 1327
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- Which city turned into one of the most important centres of Islamic learning after the Hajj?
- Cairo
- Timbuktu ✓
- Sahara
- Gao
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- How many years did it take for the price of gold to return to its previous level in Egypt?
- More than 10 years
- More than 12 years ✓
- More than 1 year
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- Who returned with Mansa Musa from the Hajj?
- Abu al-Sahili ✓
- Four of the descendents of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) ✓
- Sundiata Keita
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- What was the impact of the creation of the Djinguereber Mosque?
- This style was used extensively thereafter. ✓
- The design showcased the gold of the Mali Empire.
- The design featured Mansa Musa, an idea that was used across the Mali Empire.
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Exit quiz
- A country made up of individual states that have control over their own local matters, but are controlled by a central government is known as a ______
- 'federation' ✓
- How did Mali conquer its neighbours, such as the Jolof in the west and the Songhai in the east. Select the correct statement.
- Mali used its superior army to conquer its neighbours. ✓
- Mali used its gold to conquer its neighbours.
- Mali used its supply of salt to conquer its neighbours.
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- Why was the Malian military so impressive? Select all of the statements that are correct.
- The Mandinke were expert blacksmiths who made strong iron weapons. ✓
- The Mandinke were excellent horsemen. ✓
- Medieval African arrows had poison tips. ✓
- Medieval African bows were more powerful than those used in Asia or Europe.
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- What was the role of a farimba? Select the statements that are correct
- to make sure that the king did not act against the interests of the empire ✓
- to be completely loyal to the Mansa ✓
- travel to kingdoms within the empire comparing the work of different Mansas
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- Upon which of the following two commodities did the Mali Empire generate incredible amounts of wealth?
- salt ✓
- gold ✓
- books
- diamonds
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- How did the Malian elite used gold? Select all of the statements that are correct.
- for ornamentation, such as golden bows and arrows ✓
- to pay for the construction of buildings ✓
- to demonstrate their own power and wealth ✓
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Worksheet
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Lesson Details
Key learning points
- Mali expanded throughout the Sahel during the 13th century.
- Mali used its superior army to conquer its neighbours, such as the Jolof in the west and the Songhai in the east.
- Mali had a successful governmental structure - it was a federation and the Mansa installed a farimba in each kingdom
- Mali’s wealth was built on its access to gold and salt.
- The Malian elite used gold to enrich themselves and enhance the empire.
Common misconception
Successful empires dominate and subjugate the conquered people within the empire in order to keep them loyal.
The Mali aristocracy adopted a successful 'hands off' approach to governance, allowing the different kingdoms within the empire a great degree of autonomy.
Keywords
Trade - trade means the exchange of goods
Federation - a federation is a country made up of individual states that have control over their own local matters, but are controlled by a central government
Mansa - Mansa is the word used in the Mali Empire to refer to the king or emperor
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