Rich Histories: The Most Influential Empires Of Ancient West Africa

1407 Words6 Pages

Ava Wright
Miss Stevens
Honors English 10 Period 1
8 May 2023 Rich Histories and Cultural Legacies
Creating a deeper understanding of history is like having a compass guiding us through uncharted waters of the present into the future. Just as a compass helps us navigate unknown terrain, knowledge of history can enable us to travel in the right direction and make adequate choices. The forces that have shaped our world and the decisions that have led us to the present are essential to understand. Researching the past and the different societies that constructed it is a vital tool that helps us make sense of the world. While analyzing world history, the focus should not only be on Europe, Asia, and the Americas. The cultural …show more content…

Archaeologists and historians are able to discover more about the Ancient African people by finding artifacts, ancient treasures, and even the ruins of the cities. A large portion of African history was remembered through the practice of oral tradition which is a form of communication where knowledge, stories, and ideas are shared and received orally between people. Before history was written down, “oral history was remembered and passed along” throughout different generations (Quigley 9). This could have taken place at various gathering events for gaining wisdom while also being entertained. The ancient people would gather and listen to storytellers called griots who “knew and retold the important stories of the West African people” (Quigley 9). Oral tradition is very important because, without the practice, little would be known today about Ancient African …show more content…

They forged advanced technology and ideas. The different empires in Ancient West Africa shared a common area and trade route but all had their own customs, traditions, and way of life. These different groups of people should be studied in order to understand the bigger picture of Africa’s history. Learning about these kingdoms and the history of these societies is essential for gaining a deeper understanding of the world and the past that made up to this point. It can also help society avoid past mistakes, foster critical thinking, build empathy and understanding, and preserve cultural

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