Reading Questions for AFRICANS, Chapter 5, pp. 63-82:
- What populations drifted/migrated southward into western Africa, and what led them to do it?
- What pattern did population clusters take?
- What were obstacles to population growth? (pp. 67-69)
- What strategies were used to overcome these obstacles?
- Define kafu and describe the constraints on political consolidation. (pp. 71ff)
- How were slaves and horses important to the Hausa? (pp. 75-78)
- "Microstates" seem to have been the rule in the western forest, except in the northwest--why? (p. 81)
- What was unusual about the Kongo kingdom in the equatorial forest? (p. 82)
- How did trade move through western Africa?
- What was the most important product transported by long-distance trade and who traded it?
- What did Hausa traders use as currency? What were its advantages and limitations?
- What craft specialization was most advanced? Who introduced it? Why couldn't it compete in the Atlantic economy (after 1450)?
- How and why was a distinction made between the cultivated and the wild in western African culture and religion?
- What are the main features of indigenous religions in western Africa?
- How did Islam and indigenous religions interact?
- What distinctive family structures existed in western Africa? Why?
- How was generational conflict created and what were the consequences of it?
- What is "mankala" and were you familiar with it before reading this chapter?
- What is the role and status of a griot?
- What if any significant role do women play in the story of Sundiata?
- Where and when do the events of the story take place?
- What roles do religion and magic play in the story?
- How connected or aware of a larger world is the storyteller?
- What is the family structure of the king of Mali?
- How does one kingdom interact with another?
- What are external and internal threats to peace?
- Overview of social structure can be found in note 37.
- Can you outline the basic story?
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