Islamic mosque and marketplace in Djenne, Mali

c. A.D. 300Axum conquersKush

c. A.D. 750Arab Muslimtraders settlein East Africa

Mansa Musatravels toMakkah

1324 c. 1441First enslavedAfricans arrivein Europe

A.D. 300 A.D. 700 1100 1500A.D. 300 A.D. 700 1100 1500

MMedieval edieval AAfricafrica

440–

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Chapter PreviewWhile China enjoyed an artistic golden age, kingdoms in

Africa grew rich from trading salt and gold. This chapter willtell you about an African ruler who led a great caravan on along journey from North Africa to the Arabian Peninsula.

View the Chapter 13 video in the World History:Journey Across Time Video Program.

Chapter Overview Visitjat.glencoe.com for a previewof Chapter 13.

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The Rise of African CivilizationsAfrica’s geography influenced the rise of itscivilizations. The growth of trade led to the exchange of goods and ideas.

Africa’s Government and ReligionAfrican rulers developed different forms ofgovernment. Traditional religions, Christianity, and Islam shaped early African culture.

African Society and CultureThe family was the foundation of African society. A growing slave trade, however, would disruptAfrican society.

Categorizing Information Make this foldable to help you organize your notesabout medieval Africa.

Reading and WritingAs you read about thecivilizations of Africa,write down three mainquestions under eachheading. Then write ananswer to each question.

Step 1 Draw a map ofAfrica on one side of asheet of paper.

The Rise of African Civilizations

African Society and Culture

Africa’s Governmentand Religion

Step 2 Fold the sheet of paperinto thirds from top to bottom.

Step 3 Unfold, turn thepaper over (to the cleanside), and label as shown.

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Compare Compare and Contrastand Contrast

One way authors help you to understandinformation is by organizing material so that youcan see how people, places, things, or eventscompare (are alike) or contrast (are different).Read the following passage:

Making Comparisons

First, look at whatis being comparedor contrasted. Inthis case, it is thereligions of twogroups of peoplefrom Africa, high-lighted in pink.

The contrasts(differences)are highlightedin blue.

The comparisons (similarities)are highlighted in green.

Some groups, like the Nanti in EastAfrica, thought people could talkdirectly with their god. Others, like theIgbo, thought their creator could only bespoken to through less powerful godsand goddesses who worked for him.

Even though Africans practicedtheir religion differently in differentplaces, their beliefs served similarpurposes. They provided rules forliving and helped people stay intouch with their history.

—from page 463As you read, look for

words that signal the

use of comparisons,

such as like, similar,

or different.

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You will read about therise and fall of manywealthy kingdoms inAfrica during the MiddleAges. Choose one of thekingdoms and do researchto find out what modernAfrican nation occupiesthat same area today.Write a report to compareand contrast the modernnation and the earlyAfrican kingdom.

Read to Write

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As in most medieval societies, women in Africaacted mostly as wives and mothers. Men had morerights and controlled much of what women did.Visitors to Africa, however, saw exceptions.European explorers were amazed to learn thatwomen served as soldiers in some African kingdoms.

African women also won fame as rulers. In theA.D. 600s, Queen Dahia al-Kahina led the fightagainst the Muslim invasion of her kingdom, whichwas located about where Mauritania is today.Another woman ruler was Queen Nzinga, whoruled lands in what are now Angola and Congo. Shespent almost 40 years battling Portuguese slavetraders.

—from page 470

Create a Venn Diagram

A Venn diagram can help you to compare and con-trast information. Differences are listed in the outsideparts of each circle. Similarities are listed in the portion ofthe two circles that overlap. Read the paragraphs below.Then create a Venn diagram to compare and contrast theroles of European and African women as stated in theparagraphs.

Differences Similarities Differences

As you read each section, makeVenn diagrams to help you compareand contrast important details.

Werner Forman/Art Resource, NY

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