Vocabulary Mapping

Kingdoms of Gold: Ghana, Mali, & Songhai. Click a term to reveal the definition, an example sentence, and cross-content connections. Related terms will glow so you can see how the system fits together.

Layer 1
Trade & Wealth Expression

Terms that explain how Ghana, Mali, and Songhai became powerful through resources, exchange, and economic systems.

Definition
A valuable natural resource mined in West Africa and traded for other goods.
Example Sentence
“Gold from West African mines helped empires grow wealthy and fund armies and cities.”
Concept Connections
Economics: value & trade Geography: resource regions History: empire building Modern: precious metals markets
Definition
An essential mineral used to preserve food and support health; highly valued in West Africa.
Example Sentence
“Salt was traded for gold because it was necessary for survival and difficult to obtain in some regions.”
Concept Connections
Science: nutrition & preservation Economics: scarcity & demand Geography: desert salt mines Systems: supply chains
Definition
A path or network used by merchants to move goods between regions.
Example Sentence
“Control of trade routes helped West African rulers collect wealth and strengthen their governments.”
Concept Connections
Geography: movement & barriers Civics: control & security Economics: exchange networks Modern: shipping lanes & highways
Definition
A trading system that crossed the Sahara Desert, linking West Africa to North Africa and beyond.
Example Sentence
“Trans-Saharan trade allowed gold and salt to move across the desert and connect distant cultures.”
Concept Connections
Geography: deserts as pathways Culture: exchange of ideas Technology: camel travel Modern: global trade networks
Definition
A group of travelers or traders who move together for safety and support.
Example Sentence
“A caravan of camels carried goods across the Sahara to trading cities like Gao and Timbuktu.”
Concept Connections
Geography: harsh environments Civics: protection & security Economics: transporting goods Modern: convoys & logistics
Layer 2
Government & Belief Expression

Terms that show how rulers used leadership, religion, and law to unify and strengthen empires.

Definition
A large state that controls many territories and peoples under one ruler or government.
Example Sentence
“Mali became an empire by expanding control over cities and trade routes.”
Concept Connections
Civics: centralized power Geography: territory control History: expansion & conflict Modern: regional alliances
Definition
Money or goods collected by a government to fund services like armies, protection, and infrastructure.
Example Sentence
“Ghana used taxation on merchants to pay soldiers and protect trade routes.”
Concept Connections
Civics: public funding Math: fees & totals Economics: revenue systems Modern: taxes today
Definition
A monotheistic religion based on belief in one God (Allah) and the teachings of Muhammad.
Example Sentence
“Islam spread through trade and became influential in Mali and Songhai.”
Concept Connections
Culture: beliefs & traditions History: diffusion through trade Civics: religion & governance Modern: world religions
Definition
A legal system based on Islamic teachings that guides decisions and behavior.
Example Sentence
“Askia Muhammad strengthened Songhai by appointing officials trained in Islamic law.”
Concept Connections
Civics: legal systems Religion: faith shaping rules History: unifying an empire Compare: written vs. customary law
Definition
A religious journey; in Islam, the hajj is a sacred pilgrimage to Mecca.
Example Sentence
“Mansa Musa’s hajj brought international attention to Mali and its wealth.”
Concept Connections
Geography: long-distance travel Culture: religious identity History: diplomacy & reputation Modern: religious travel today
Layer 3
Knowledge & Legacy Expression

Terms that explain how West Africa became known for education, scholarship, and long-lasting historical impact.

Definition
The pursuit and sharing of knowledge through study, teaching, and writing.
Example Sentence
“Timbuktu became famous for scholarship in law, mathematics, and astronomy.”
Concept Connections
Education: institutions & study ELA: reading & writing History: preserving knowledge Modern: universities
Definition
Handwritten books that preserve knowledge, ideas, and history.
Example Sentence
“The Timbuktu manuscripts give historians a window into West Africa’s intellectual life.”
Concept Connections
ELA: primary sources History: evidence of the past Technology: pre-print knowledge Modern: archives & libraries
Definition
A place of worship for Muslims; in West Africa, some also supported education.
Example Sentence
“The Sankore Mosque was a religious center and a place where scholars taught and studied.”
Concept Connections
Religion: worship spaces Architecture: cultural design Education: learning hubs Compare: sacred spaces worldwide
Definition
A rise in prices (or drop in value) that can occur when too much wealth or money enters circulation at once.
Example Sentence
“When Mansa Musa gave away large amounts of gold, inflation made gold less valuable in some places.”
Concept Connections
Economics: money supply Math: value comparison History: cause & effect Modern: rising prices today
Definition
What a civilization or leader leaves behind that continues to influence the future.
Example Sentence
“The legacy of Ghana, Mali, and Songhai includes trade power, learning, and global connection.”
Concept Connections
History: long-term impact Civics: leadership outcomes ELA: theme & message Modern: cultural influence

Cross-Content Connections

ELA & Primary Sources

Treat the Timbuktu manuscripts like historical evidence: What do they reveal about daily life, government, and education? Practice quoting, paraphrasing, and citing evidence from a “text.”

Try it: “What does a written manuscript prove that a rumor cannot?”

Geography & Systems

Use maps to explain how the Sahara Desert and the Niger River shaped trade routes. Identify where goods came from and why movement mattered.

Try it: Draw arrows on a map showing gold → north and salt → south.

Economics & Math

Model taxation with simple numbers. If every trader pays a fee to enter and leave, how does government revenue grow? Discuss how inflation changes value over time.

Try it: “If gold becomes less valuable, what happens to prices?”

Civics & Leadership

Compare leadership strategies: Ghana’s trade control, Mali’s cultural influence, and Songhai’s government reforms. Discuss how leaders build unity and strengthen a state.

Try it: “Which leadership choice builds the strongest legacy—and why?”