Question

Base your answers to questions 1 and 2 on the excerpt below and your knowledge of social studies. "There are in Timbuktu numerous judges, teachers, priests, all properly appointed by the king. He greatly honors learning. Many handwritten books imported from Barbary are also sold. There is more profit made from this commerce than from all other merchandise. . ." --Leo Africanus, The Description of Africa, 1526 1. What does this passage suggest about Timbuktu?

Answer 1

The passage suggests that Timbuktu was a center of learning and literacy.

Step-by-step explanation:

Education was highly valued and considered as a symbol of wealth and high social status from the 13th to the 17th century. Timbuktu was then a hub of Islamic learning especially under the leadership of the Malian empire in the 14th century. Books were bought and sold under this government.

Scholars from surrounding empires visited Timbuktu in order to acquire the knowledge of Islam, the arts and sciences. Emperor Mohammed Askia provided great support for education and that resulted in the publishing of a lot of manuscripts.