1.
Almohadis: A reformist movement among the Islamic Berbers of northern Africa; later than the Almoravids; penetrated into sub-Sahara Africa.
2.
Benin: A powerful city-state formed around the 14th century; was not relatively influence by the Europeans despite coming into contact with the Portuguese'; important commercial and political entity until the 19th century
3.
Great Zimbabwe: Bantu confederation of Shona-speaking peoples located between Zambezi and Limpopo rivers; developed after 9th century; featured royal courts built of stone; created centralized state by 15th century; king took title of Mwene Mutapa
4.
Hausa: Peoples of northern Nigeria; formed states following the demise of Songhay empire that combined Muslim and pagan traditions.
5.
Ibn Batuta: Arab traveler who described African societies and cultures in his travel records
6.
Ifriqiya: the Arabic term for Eastern North Africa
7.
Kongo: Kingdom based on agriculture, formed on lower Congo River by late 15th century; capital at Mbanza Kongo; ruled by hereditary monarchy.
8.
Maghrib: the Arabic word for western North Africa
9.
Muhammad the Great: extended the boundaries of the songhay empire; islamic ruler of the mid-16th century
10.
Sharia: Islamic law; defined among other things the patrilineal nature of Islamic inheritance
11.
Songhay: successor state to Mali; dominated middle reaches of Niger valley; formed as independent kingdom under a Berber dynasty; capital at Gao; reached imperial status under Sunni Ali
12.
Timbuktu: Port city of Mali; located just off the flood plain on the great bend in the Niger River; population of 50,000; contained a library and university.
