Grade 7, Term 1 Lesson 3 of 6
Social Science: History CAPS reference: page 33
GRADE 7
Lesson Topic: The reign of Mansa Musa Total time: 1 hour
Aims • Engage higher order thinking through questions • Expand knowledge base on African history • Develop cognitive reasoning • Exercise comprehension skills Resources • Worksheet Introductory activity Discussion: What makes a good leader? Questions
10 minutes
• Name leaders that are good role models • What are characteristics of a good leader? Activity
40 minutes
• Read through the worksheet and allow for explanations and clarification • Discuss new terminology • Learners complete the worksheet Consolidation
10 minutes
• Mark the worksheet • Discuss the introductory activity. Use the facts about Mansa Musa and how he affected the Empire of Mali Outcomes
Terms: (see worksheet)
• Develop an ability to infer data from context • Learners understand long term influence of people in history and man’s ability to adapt the environment to suit himself
• Empire • Chiefdoms • Invasions • Hajj • Pilgrimage
Means of Assessment Either to be marked in class or by the educator Marks per section: 9 + 18 Total Marks for entire worksheet: 27 Marks
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Grade 7 Term 1: Lesson 3, Social Science, History: The kingdom of Mali: The reign of Mansa Musa
The reign of Mansa Musa
GRADE 7
Name:
The kingdom of Mali: The reign of Mansa Musa One of the most successful leaders of the kingdom of Mali was Mansa Musa. Not only was Mansa Musa the wealthiest man of all time, with an estimated worth of 400 billion US dollars in today’s currency, he was also very intelligent.
Musa depicted holding a gold nugget from the 1375 Catalan Atlas.
Image source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Musa_I_of_Mali When the size of Mali’s territory became too big for him to manage, he divided it into provinces and elected governors to manage them.
Mansa Musa was a wise man, and despite being a devout Muslim (someone who practices the Islamic faith), he allowed his people to follow any religion they chose. When it was time for him to take the pilgrimage or ‘Hajj’ to Mecca, he used his wealth and position to expose the territory of Mali, and put it ‘on the map’. When he undertook his journey, it is believed that he took 100 camel-loads of gold, 500 slaves, each carrying a gold staff, and his senior wife with her 500 attendants. Legends believe that when he passed through the Egyptian city of Cairo, he gave away so much gold that the price of gold fell and the economy suffered for more than twenty years.
Did you know? Mansa Musa was such a powerful leader that he became known as the king of kings because his name, ‘Mansa’ means king.
Unfortunately, on his return from Mecca, Mansa Musa ran out of money and had to borrow some to pay for his journey home. As he had always been generous, the dignitaries from the surrounding provinces and empires gladly granted him a loan and once he had completed his journey, he repaid them all with more gold than they had loaned him. © e-classroom 2015
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Grade 7 Term 1: Lesson 3, Social Science, History: The kingdom of Mali: The reign of Mansa Musa
The reign of Mansa Musa
GRADE 7
Mansa Musa ruled the kingdom of Mali in the early 1300s. During that time, it became the epicentre of trade, luxury and learning. Musa exploited his country’s gold and salt production to make his fortune. When Mansa Musa died in 1337, his thriving empire went into decline. He left behind an empire filled with palaces and mosques which still stand today. During the 200 years after his death there were many heirs unable to carry on his fortune.
1. What made Mansa Musa such a good leader? _______________________________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________________________ 2. What did Mansa Musa do to improve the running of the empire of Mali? _______________________________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________________________ 3. From which year to which year is the 14th century? _______________________________________________________________________________________________ 4. What happened to Mali after Mansa Musa’s death? _______________________________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________________________
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www.e-classroom.co.za
Grade 7 Term 1: Lesson 3, Social Science, History: The kingdom of Mali: The reign of Mansa Musa
The reign of Mansa Musa
GRADE 7
In the space below, draw a cartoon of Mansa Musa’s pilgrimage to Mecca. Write a brief description of each picture:
© e-classroom 2015
www.e-classroom.co.za
Grade 7 Term 1: Lesson 3, Social Science, History: The kingdom of Mali: The reign of Mansa Musa
The reign of Mansa Musa
GRADE 7
1. What made Mansa Musa such a good leader?
(3)
He was generous, he let his people follow any religion they chose, and he knew how to improve the running of Mali. 2. What did Mansa Musa do to improve the running of the empire of Mali?
(3)
He divided Mali into provinces and elected governors and mayors to help run the empire. 3. From which year to which year is the 14th century?
(1)
From 1300 to 1399.
4. What happened to Mali after Mansa Musa’s death?
(2)
The empire of Mali was invaded and shrank to a handful of chiefdoms.
(Total: 9)
In the space below, draw a cartoon of Mansa Musa’s pilgrimage to Mecca. Write a brief description of each picture: (9 x 2 = 18) Mansa Musa with his 60 000 people and 80 camels.
500 people with staffs with gold decoration and fine clothes.
80 camels with about 136kg of gold each.
Mansa Musa on his pilgrimage to Mecca, stopping in towns and handing out gold.
People filling the streets to see Mansa Musa and to receive some gold.
Gold losing its value.
Mansa Musa returning to Mali.
Mansa Musa borrowing money to return home.
Mansa Musa bringing learning, trade and luxury to Mali.
© e-classroom 2015
(9 + 18 = 27)
www.e-classroom.co.za
Grade 7 Term 1: Lesson 3, Social Science, History: The kingdom of Mali: The reign of Mansa Musa
The reign of Mansa Musa
