Glencoe World History © 2010

Chapter 7: Early African Civilizations

Student Web Activity Lesson Plans

The Mali Empire's Artand Architecture

Introduction

During its peak from 1200—1300, the Mali Empire was a large and prosperous kingdom encompassing many flourishing cities including Timbuktu and Djenne. The art and architecture of the Mali Empire shows the influence of Islam, agriculture, and military life to the people of the era. In this activity, students will learn about the Mali Empire and its art and architecture.

Lesson Description
Students will read a history of the Mali Empire and its art and architecture. Students will answer five questions about what they have read.

Instructional Objectives

  1. The learner will be able to summarize the history of the Mali Empire.
  2. The learner will be able analyze the role of art and architecture in the lives of people in the Mali Empire.

Student Web Activity Answers

  1. Griots are official oral historians which recorded the histories of the courts.


  2. Kin–based guilds are groups of artists who served the royalty and were commissioned to create works of art for the courts.


  3. Mosques were constructed from specially prepared mud mixtures.


  4. The Djenne terracottas are sculpture figures made of fired clay, originating from the city of Djenne sometime between the 13th and 15th centuries. The reason they have survived is that terracotta does not decay over time.


  5. The terracotta of the equestrian is noteworthy because horses are not native to Mali. Furthermore, the presence of horses suggests that the Mali Empire was prosperous.

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