Question

1. name two west african cities that became centers of religion or learning. what made mansa musa help build these cities)

Explanation:

Two West African cities that were centers of religion or learning (with Mansa Musa’s contributions) are Timbuktu and Gao. Timbuktu had the Sankore Madrasa, a renowned Islamic learning center, with Mansa Musa funding the construction of mosques and educational institutions there. Gao, as part of the Mali Empire, saw Mansa Musa support religious and scholarly activities, including building religious structures and attracting scholars. These cities thrived due to trans - Saharan trade, which brought wealth, and Mansa Musa’s patronage of Islam, education, and architecture, making them hubs for Islamic learning, culture, and commerce.

Answer:

1. Timbuktu: It became a center of Islamic learning with the Sankore Madrasa. Mansa Musa funded the building of mosques and educational institutions, and its location on trans - Saharan trade routes brought wealth and scholars.
2. Gao: Mansa Musa supported religious and scholarly activities here. Its position in the Mali Empire and trade connections helped it become a center of learning and religion.