West African Time Travel Project
Scenario:
You are applying for a new position with TimeWrinkle.com, a travel agency that can transport people
to all corners of the world, as well as to any era in the past. TimeWrinkel.com is looking for a team that can
promote travel to the Medieval African Kingdoms of Ghana, Mali, and Songhai. Is your team right for the job?
Mission:
Your mission is to develop a promotional campaign for one of the three Kingdoms (Ghana, Mali, or
Songhai) of Western Africa. You will use the resources listed, as well as any extra research you may do, to
discover all that you can about your assigned kingdom. You and your group will then make a promotional
display and present. In the end, we will need to learn about all three Kingdoms- because we will fill in a
graphic organizer, and decide which Empire we want to go to as a class. The best projects will not only have a
quality, appealing appearance, but also will be accurate and complete in their delivery of information.
Process:
Begin by using a KWHL chart to record what you know about your West African Kingdom. Your group
will need one chart for each member. You may also want to make a brainstorm web showing your ideas for
information that a travel promotion might contain. For instance, you may want to highlight major cities,
political leaders, religion, education, the economy, or climate.
Once you have decided what information you need, you may wish to divide up your tasks depending
on how many people are on your team. For example, one person might be the historian who records
information about the other two kingdoms. Another person might be in charge of collecting graphics, pictures,
and other visual material for use in the project. Or you may choose to divide your team into "experts" on the
various aspects of the culture, such as religion, economy, and government.
One suggested division of labor would be to have each team member select one or two topics to cover
from the first section below (traveler's guide) and three to five topics from section two (experiences offered)
depending on the size of your team .
Required Information:
I. TRAVELER'S GUIDE- Geography
a. Weather and climate (what to pack or not to pack).
b. Place to go on land (mountains, deserts, valleys, and plateaus).
c. Places to go on water (rivers, falls, lakes, and oceans).
d. Wild animals to see (or avoid).


Liability release in case the client is eaten?
Inoculations to avoid catastrophes from insect or snake bites?
e. Vegetation, crops, medicines.
II. EXPERIENCES OFFERED – Culture (min-15)
a. Cooking (everyday meals or special occasions).
b. Food gathering (hunting, fishing, farming, herding).
c. Clothing (making, wearing - everyday or special occasions).
d. Making and wearing of adornments.
e. Dancing, music, instruments, drums.
f. Attending ceremonies (birth, coming of age, weddings, and funerals)
g. Honoring common customs and traditions of daily life.
h. Religious events dealing with gods and spirits (Purification required).
i. Making and using masks.
j. Witnessing warfare (weapons, armor, strategies).
k. Healing and medicine, use of magic.
l. Observing or taking part in arts and crafts.
m. Meeting different people - social classes.
n. Visiting homes and villages (architecture).
o. Listening to the village griot tell myths and legends.
p. Participating in the local economy (shopping, trade).
q. Visiting royalty.
r. Witnessing the tragic decline and fall of the empire.
Resources:
Ghana:
Ghana Empire-The Ghana Empire lay in what is now southeastern Mauritania and western Mali. Ghana
Empire was an important black trading state in West Africa from about the A.D. 300's to the mid-1000's.
Civilizations in Africa: Ghana- Although it originated in the late fourth century, Ghana only
became a major regional power near the end of the millennium.
Kingdom of Ghana- A concise look at what life was like in the Kingdom of Ghana
Ghana in 1067 C.E. - This is a concise, easy to read description of Ghana in 1067 C.E.
Events in Ghana- Timeline of important events in the history of Ghana
Life in Ghana- Life in ancient Ghana
Mali:
Mali Empire - Mali Empire was a black empire that flourished in West Africa from about 1240 to 1500. At its
height, the Mali Empire controlled most of what are now Gambia, Guinea, Mali, and Senegal.
Dogon People- According to oral tradition, the Dogon people of south-central
Mali originated near the headwaters of the Niger River.
Mansa Musa- Mansa Musa captured the attention of the Arab world when he left
his home in Mali to make a pilgrimage to Mecca in 1324.
Sundiata- Sundiata's forces killed Samanguru and destroyed his forces in the Battle of Kirina in 1235. Sundiata
then became Mansa, or king of a new empire which we know today as Mali.
Annenburg/CPB Projects Exhbits Collection:Collapse of Empires - Explores the collapse of four ancient
civilizations, including Mali and Songhai.
Mali- This site includes a short history of Mali, information on its African neighbors, interactive tests, links, an
art gallery, maps and links to Songhay.
Ancient Mali - The Mali Empire served as a model of statecraft for later kingdoms long after its decline in the
15th and16th centuries.
Mali and Songhai- Article on the decline of the kingdoms of Mali and Songhai, as well as the smaller kingdom
of Ghana before them.
Songhai:
Annenburg/CPB Projects Exhbits Collection:Collapse of Empires- Explores the collapse of four ancient
civilizations, including Mali and Songhai.
Songhai Empire - Songhai Empire was a black trading state in Africa that reached its peak during the 1400's
and 1500's. Songhai began during the 700's, and by the 1400's had more power and wealth than any other
West African empire
Songhai- Article on the decline of the kingdoms of Mali and Songhai, as well as the smaller kingdom of Ghana
before them, were once great trading kingdoms famous for their gold. Yet despite their greatness, they each
declined for similar reasons.
Songhai Empire - Here you will find a brief profile of the Songhai people and their rise to eminence between
the 14th and 16th centuries. Includes a short slide show.
100 facts- 100 facts you didn’t know about the Songhai Empire.
Seeking Songhai- This worldview focuses on one of the groups who comprise about one fourth of the total
population of Songhai (400,000) that live in Niger between the cities of Niamey and Tera.
Grade
Organization
Content
Accuracy
Research
Bibliography
Creativity
Cooperative
group work
Shared
Responsibility
Group
Interaction
Excellent=A 40
Extremely well
organized; logical
format that was easy
to follow; flowed
smoothly from one
idea to another; the
organization
enhanced
effectiveness of the
project
Completely accurate;
all facts were precise
and explicit
Very Good =B 30
Presented in a
thoughtful manner;
there were signs of
organization and
most transitions were
easy to follow, but at
times ideas were
unclear
Acceptable =C 20
Somewhat
organized; ideas
were not presented
coherently and
transitions were not
always smooth,
which at times
distracted the
audience
Needs Work =D 10
Choppy and
confusing; format
was difficult to
follow; transitions of
ideas were abrupt
and seriously
distracted the
audience
Mostly accurate; a
few inconsistencies
or errors in
information
Went above and
beyond to research
information; used
additional material
beyond what was
provided; and
utilized many types
of resources to make
project effective
Bibliography is
complete
Did a very good job
of researching;
utilized materials
provided to their full
potential; used
several types of
resources to enhance
project.
Somewhat accurate;
more than a few
inconsistencies or
errors in
information or
incomplete
Used the material
provided in an
acceptable manner,
but did not consult
any additional
resources
Very inaccurate
and/or incomplete;
the facts in this
project were
misleading to the
audience
Did not utilize
resources
effectively; did little
or no fact gathering
on the topic
Was extremely
creative and
presented with
originality; used a
unique approach that
truly enhanced the
project
Enthusiastically
contributes ideas to
group; meets or
exceeds deadlines
Responsibility for
task is shared evenly
Was creative at
times; thoughtfully
and uniquely
presented
Added a few
original touches to
enhance the project
but did not
incorporate it
throughout
Little creative
energy used during
this project; was
bland, predictable,
and lacked “zip”
Is agreeable to doing
assigned tasks; meets
deadlines.
Completes most of
assigned tasks, but
needs reminding
Whines, bickers,
turns work in late.
Responsibility is
shared by most group
members
Responsibility is
shared by 1/ 2 the
group members
Exclusive reliance
on one person
Excellent listening
and leadership skills
exhibited; students
reflect awareness of
others’ views and
opinions in their
discussions
Students show
adeptness in
interacting; lively
discussion centers on
the task
Some ability to
interact; attentive
listening; some
evidence of
discussion or
alternatives
Little interaction;
very brief
conversations; some
students were
disinterested or
distracted
Bibliography is
incomplete
Roles Within
Group
Each student
assigned a clearly
defined role; group
members perform
roles effectively
Each student assigned
a role but roles not
clearly defined or
consistently adhered
to
Students assigned
roles but roles were
not consistently
adhered to
No effort made to
assign roles to group
members