Chapter 13 Reading Check
Kingdoms and States of Medieval Africa, 500 – 1500
Section 1: African Society and Culture
Directions: Use the textbook complete the following questions. This sheet is designed to guide you through the reading assignments. You should write the definitions/answers in your notebook. These will be the questions that we discuss in class, so be prepared to answer them if called upon.
Lesson objectives:
Student Will Know:
- How Africa’s geography and cultures shaped its development during the medieval period
Student will be able to:
- Use maps to understand how physical geography influenced the need for trade in early Africa
- Compare and contrast Muslim and Christian influences on African religions
Define the following!
Academic Vocabulary
1. So-called – commonly named; popularly termed
2. Founding – originating; beginning
Content Vocabulary
1. Plateau - a relatively high, flat land area
2. Savanna - broad grassland dotted with small trees and shrubs
3. lineage group - an extended family unit that has combined into a larger community
4. matrilineal - tracing lineage through the mother rather than the father
5. patrilineal - tracing the lineage through the father
6. diviner - a person who is believed to have the power to foretell events
7. griot - a special class of African storytellers who help keep alive a people’s history
Guiding questions
1. How have Africa's landforms and climate zones influenced its farming and herding?
2. How did values and customs help shape societies in medieval Africa?
3. What part did religious beliefs play in medieval African societies?
4. How did values and customs help shape societies in medieval Africa? What part did religious beliefs play in medieval African societies?
Reading Progress Check Questions
1. What are Africa’s four climate zones?
2. What was the role of lineage groups in African society?
3. What role did ancestors play in African religion?
4. Why was music and storytelling important in African societies?