Choice One: Essay
Prompt: Many West
Africans converted to Islam so they could increase their trading
opportunities. In other words, Muslims
stuck together and benefited because of it.
In modern society, do you think it’s necessary, or at least beneficial
for ethnic, racial, or religious groups to stick together in things such as
friendships, marriage, activities, businesses, etc.
Check the Essay Resources page to links to get you started.
Choice Two: Performance - A poem, song, or folktale (You
may work with a partner for this project, if you choose.)
Prompt: Oral
tradition was an important cultural trait of West African empires. Griots
in West Africa brought stories and characters to life to pass down historical
information, teach morals and ethics, and entertain. Honoring that tradition, you may create and
perform a poem, song, or folktale about one or more of the following:
·
How Islam
came to play a significant role in expanding the West African empires
o
This may include information on culture, growth,
economy, and/or leaders
·
The importance of trade of gold and salt to the empires
·
The impact of an individual (something must rhyme with Battuta!) we’ve studied from
one of the African empires
·
Other… See me for approval
Need creative inspiration?
Songs about historical figures
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZPrAKuOBWzw
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1NOjkmkanrc
Poems about historical figures:
https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/1861/01/paul-revere-s-ride/308349/
Folktales
http://anikefoundation.org/index.php/african-folktales/
