Question

In what ways were the Bantu kingdoms of Mapungubwe and Great Zimbabwe similar and dissimilar to the West African Sahelian kingdoms?

a) Both had centralized governments, differing in economic structures.
b) The Bantu kingdoms were nomadic, unlike Sahelian kingdoms.
c) Sahelian kingdoms and Bantu kingdoms shared identical political structures.
d) Economic similarities, with political and social distinctions.

Answer 1

The Bantu kingdoms of Mapungubwe and Great Zimbabwe had centralized governments, but differed in their economic structures.

Step-by-step explanation:

The Bantu kingdoms of Mapungubwe and Great Zimbabwe were similar to the West African Sahelian kingdoms in terms of their economic structures and their connections to long-distance trade networks. However, there were also some differences between them.

Both the Bantu kingdoms and the Sahelian kingdoms had centralized governments. They both had a political system where a central ruler held power and made important decisions. However, their economic structures differed. The Bantu kingdoms of Mapungubwe and Great Zimbabwe had economies based on agriculture, livestock-keeping, and trade, while the Sahelian kingdoms relied heavily on the trans-Saharan trade routes and control of commodities such as gold, salt, and ivory.

Therefore, the correct answer is a) Both had centralized governments, differing in economic structures.