Objectives and Standards

Objectives:  This activity is designed to help you understand the difficulties of the trans-Saharan crossing for traders going from North Africa to West Africa between the 8th and 16th Centuries

1. Working in pairs, you will analyze written accounts of travelers’ experiences in crossing the Sahara desert.

2. You will use the information to write a travel guide for others making the journey.

History Social-Science Standards

7.4.1 Study the Niger River and the relationship of vegetation zones of forest, savannah, and desert to trade in gold, salt, food, and slaves; and the growth of the Ghana and Mali empires.

7.4.3  Describe the role of the trans-Saharan caravan trade in the changing religious and cultural characteristics of West Africa and the influence of Islamic beliefs, ethics, and law.

Visual and Performing Arts Standard

Connections and Applications

5.1 Study the music and art of a selected historical era and create a multimedia presentation that reflects that time and culture.