Guiding Questions:
- How was Mali connected to the vast network of the Silk Road, even indirectly?
- What role did the Trans-Saharan trade routes play in facilitating this connection?
- What goods and ideas flowed between Mali and other regions along these trade networks?
- How did these exchanges influence Malian culture, society, and technology?
- What evidence suggests that Mali was part of a larger interconnected world during this period?
- How did trade shape Mali’s relationships with other empires and civilizations?
- What were the challenges and benefits of participating in long-distance trade networks?
- How did Mali’s position in these networks contribute to its rise as a powerful empire?
Visual Representation Prompts:
- Create a map illustrating Mali’s position in relation to the Silk Road and other major trade routes of the time.
- Design a visual representation of the goods and ideas exchanged between Mali and other regions, highlighting the cultural and technological diffusion.
- Develop a timeline or flowchart showcasing key events and figures involved in Mali’s connection to the Silk Road.
- Use symbols or images to represent the diverse cultures and commodities that intersected in Mali due to its position in global trade networks.
- Create a visual representation of the Trans-Saharan trade routes, highlighting the key cities and oases that facilitated trade.
- Illustrate the impact of trade on Malian architecture, fashion, or other aspects of material culture.
Engagement Tips:
- Highlight Mali’s key trade routes on a map using a few labels and arrows.
- Include 2-3 symbols or images representing the goods traded between Mali and other regions.
- Create a simple flowchart to show the path of a trade item from Mali to Asia.
- Show one specific way trade influenced Mali’s culture (architecture, fashion) with an image.
- Present 2 key challenges traders faced, using a short bullet-point list.
- Make a quick map with key cities and oases along the Trans-Saharan route.
