1)in what way was the empire of ghana different from the later empire of mali?

ghana was ruled by malinke leaders, and mali was ruled by soninke.

ghana was mostly animists, and mali had a muslim-following leadership.

ghana was patrilineal, and mali followed a matrilineal system

ghana was influenced by arab architecture, and mali was not.

2)what role did the geography of the sahel play in the rise of the medieval african kingdoms?

it provided access to the large ports on the atlantic.

the lack of fresh water made rulers here more warlike.

it provided a place for trade between the north and the south.

the desert was difficult for outsiders to invade.