Early African Kingdoms 
& Traditional African Society (2)
 

Select the correct choice 


1Oral tradition is important in African cultures because it?:
led to most Africans speaking the same language.
proves that humans originated in East Africa.
prevented the development of written language in Africa.
allows knowledge to be passed from one generation to the next.

2Which is a major characteristic of traditional African art?:
African art contains a great deal of symbolism.
the human form is represented very realistically in African art.
painting is the primary medium for traditional African art.
African art reflects a highly urban culture.

3The age-group system served as a method of?:
choosing brides for young men.
limiting warfare among rival villages.
teaching children the values of their society.
encouraging cultural diffusion.

4The giving of bride wealth in traditional African societies was a sign that?:
women were responsible for doing all the farming.
a woman was a valuable addition to a family.
women had no rights after marriage.
married women were more useful than unmarried women.

5Traditional African art has had the greatest influence on?:
classical Roman mosaics and pottery.
Renaissance painting.
medieval European architecture.
20c painting and sculpture.

6Diviners served an important role in some African societies because they?:
were worshipped as gods.
collected the taxes and supervised farming.
helped people understand the cause of disasters and acted as intermediaries to the spirits.
determined which age grade a boy or girl belonged to.

7Tribal initiation ceremonies commonly occurred?:
at marriage.
between childhood and adulthood.
when an elder made a major decision.
when a child was born.

8In many African cultures, political and social organization was based on the?:
village.
emperor's court.
civil service system.
council of ancestors.

9Traditional African religions emphasized?:
belief in only one god.
the importance of the Quran and daily prayer.
loyalty to the village priests.
the connection of family, village, and nature.

10In African societies, lineage?:
tied families to a common ancestor.
allowed farmers and herders to trade more efficiently.
gave women higher status than men.
limited the power of the West African kingdoms.

11If you were a member of a traditional African tribe, you would most probably be a strong believer in?:
a nuclear family.
the laws of the nation rather than the tribe.
communal living.
primitive rulers.

12Which of the following has been a chief reason for the changing social structure of the African tribal unit?:
inter-tribal wars.
movements to the cities.
independence and self-government.
a decrease in tribal population.

13A griot's role in West African society is similar to that of a?:
scientist.
musician.
military leader.
historian.