What were the key characteristics of West African society? West African societies varied in size from small kingdoms to large empires. Most people lived by farming, but there were also many skilled artisans. Religion and family ties were central to West African life.
What is the culture like in West Africa?
West Africa forms the westernmost region of the African continent. People have occupied the area for thousands of years, and its population is ethnically diverse though culturally relatively similar. The beliefs of native cultures include Islam, Christianity and various traditional African religions.
What are West African features?
The region of West Africa includes the southern portion of the bulge of the continent, which extends westward to the Atlantic Ocean. This region is bisected by the African Transition Zone, which borders the southern edge of the Sahara Desert. The main physical features include the Sahara Desert and the Niger River.
What was the West African society?
Art, such as this bronze head from Benin, is used to recount the history of the kingdom and its rulers. Merchants traded with other African communities, as well as with Europeans and Arabs. … Some West Africans mined gold, salt, iron, copper or even diamonds.
What were the most important aspects of West African civilization?
West African peoples traded cotton, ivory, metal goods and gold to the north in exchange for horses, textiles and other goods. These trade routes, as well as the appearance of iron tools that allowed for more productive farming, led to the development of the region’s first City-States.
What is West Africa known for?
West Africa is famous for its cultural diversity and rich history. Unique mud architecture and landscapes dominate Niger and Mali’s major sights. Slave forts on Goree Island and along Ghana’s coast attract many visitors.
What ancient tradition can be found in West Africa today?
Voodoo has been part of West African culture for centuries; the religion was carried over by African slaves to parts of North and South America, and today, it is officially recognized as a national religion in Benin (and practiced widely elsewhere in the region).
Is West Africa dangerous?
As far as disease goes, West Africa is the most dangerous place on the planet. It is probably the one place on earth where you should go to extremes to protect yourself from mosquitoes. Do not sleep without a net and do not go without malaria medicine.
Which part of Africa has the most beautiful woman?
Top 10 African countries with exceptionally beautiful women
- Ethiopia. Ethiopia is considered by many a country with most beautiful women in Africa. …
- Nigeria. The most populous country and one of the most demographically diverse countries in Africa has so many beautiful ladies with an enormous sense of fashion. …
- Tanzania. …
- Kenya. …
- DR. …
- Ivory Coast. …
- Ghana. …
- South Africa.
29.04.2021
Which country is the best in West Africa?
The Gambia
Despite being the smallest country in Africa, The Gambia is regarded as West Africa’s best-kept secret. Surrounded by golden beaches backed by swaying palms sprinkled with scenic lagoons, an abundance of wildlife, vibrant history and culture, it offers visitors an opportunity to get in touch with nature.
What is the main idea of West African society at the point of European contact?
It supports the idea that West Africa was a center of civilization before the slave trade. It reveals that people from Timbuktu should not have become slaves because they were educated. It shows that West African societies were greatly impacted by the Atlantic slave trade.
What inventions came from West Africa?
Here are ten inventions that originated from Africa and have changed the entire course of human history.
- Math. Contrary to popular belief, civilizations existed before Europeans ‘discovered’ them *gasp*. …
- Art. Instagram. …
- Writing. ancient_hieroglyphics. …
- Language. ellenjovin. …
- Medicine. …
- Mining and Metallurgy. …
- Architecture. …
- Phones.
15.08.2019
How were West African slaves captured?
It is thought that around 8.5 million enslaved Africans were taken to the Americas. British slave ships set off from Liverpool, Glasgow or Bristol, carrying trade goods and sailed to West Africa. Some of those enslaved were captured directly by the British traders.
What was the first West African civilization?
The civilization of Djenné-Djenno was located in the Niger River Valley in the country of Mali and is considered to be among the oldest urbanized centers and the best-known archaeology site in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Where did the ethnic group in West Africa migrate from?
In West Africa, emigration flows mainly come from urban and coastal areas of relatively prosperous countries such as Ghana, Nigeria and Senegal, with the exception of the Ivory Coast (ibid.).
What were the most powerful empires in Africa?
7 Influential African Empires
- The Kingdom of Kush. Meroë is an ancient city on the east bank of the Nile app. …
- The Land of Punt. Papyrus showing preparations for an Egyptian journey to Punt. ( …
- Carthage. Tunisia, Carthage. ( …
- The Kingdom of Aksum. Coins from Aksum. ( …
- The Mali Empire. …
- The Songhai Empire. …
- The Great Zimbabwe. …
- 7 Brutal Sieges.
11.01.2017