Page 138 - Empires of Medieval West Africa

Epilogue

the people. They see them working hard against great odds to improve Much has changed in West
their own lives. Africa since the days of
Whatever the hardships of modern life, the Mande and Songhay the medieval empires, but
the market is still central
people remain conscious of the glorious heritage that links them to the
to village life. This image
medieval empires of Ghana, Mali, and Songhay. On special occasions, shows a Mali market in
their jeliw continue to tell stories of the ancestors that remind people 2007.
of their history.
These famous ancestors still define the identity of the descendents
who carry their names. Whenever people meet, they salute each other
with their family names. In this way, there are special degrees of mutual
respect among family members, and between their family and other
families.
No descendants of the heroes and heroines of the medieval empires
will ever forget their ancestors, because if they did, they would lose
their identities and self-respect. Pride in the ancestors of Ghana, Mali,
and Songhay carries over into everyone’s daily life and inspires them to
succeed in the modern world.

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