early african civilizations up to 1500 ad. geography of africa deserts cross the continent above...
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Early African
Civilizations
Early African
Civilizations
Up to 1500 ADUp to 1500 AD
Geography of Africa
Geography of Africa
• Deserts cross the continent above & below the equator
• Sahara equal to ¼ of continent, & roughly equal to size of USA
• Equatorial region is Tropical rain forest
• Large rivers provide transportation routes
• Deserts cross the continent above & below the equator
• Sahara equal to ¼ of continent, & roughly equal to size of USA
• Equatorial region is Tropical rain forest
• Large rivers provide transportation routes
The BasicsThe
Basics• Religion– Animism– Lead by “Shamans”
or healers
• Religion– Animism– Lead by “Shamans”
or healers
• Society– Matrilineal or Matriarchal
(female based)– Lived in clan or tribal units with
extended families (parents, grandparents, aunts/uncles, etc.)
– Traditional (agricultural) economy
– Griots (storytellers) passed down history through oral tales
• Society– Matrilineal or Matriarchal
(female based)– Lived in clan or tribal units with
extended families (parents, grandparents, aunts/uncles, etc.)
– Traditional (agricultural) economy
– Griots (storytellers) passed down history through oral tales
Nok
– Lived along Niger River from 500 BC until 200 AD– Farmers– First African iron workers– Made terra cota (red clay) sculptures– Oldest Known culture in West Africa
Nok
– Lived along Niger River from 500 BC until 200 AD– Farmers– First African iron workers– Made terra cota (red clay) sculptures– Oldest Known culture in West Africa
BantuBantu• Background:
– originally lived in Congo region
– Elected their king
– Broke territory into provinces
– Descendants of the Nok
• Background: – originally lived in Congo region
– Elected their king
– Broke territory into provinces
– Descendants of the Nok
• Achievements: – Migrated throughout most of
southern Africa in search of better farmland
– Spread their language
– Traded slaves with Portuguese
• Achievements: – Migrated throughout most of
southern Africa in search of better farmland
– Spread their language
– Traded slaves with Portuguese
Kush (1300BC – 150 AD)
• Began in city of Kerma, in area of Began in city of Kerma, in area of Egypt known as NubiaEgypt known as Nubia
• Trade center, link between Red Trade center, link between Red Sea & NileSea & Nile
• Around 710BC conquered EgyptAround 710BC conquered Egypt
• Beaten by Assyrians 592BCBeaten by Assyrians 592BC
• Reformed around city of MeroeReformed around city of Meroe
• Center of culture (and cultural Center of culture (and cultural diffusion)diffusion)
• Began in city of Kerma, in area of Began in city of Kerma, in area of Egypt known as NubiaEgypt known as Nubia
• Trade center, link between Red Trade center, link between Red Sea & NileSea & Nile
• Around 710BC conquered EgyptAround 710BC conquered Egypt
• Beaten by Assyrians 592BCBeaten by Assyrians 592BC
• Reformed around city of MeroeReformed around city of Meroe
• Center of culture (and cultural Center of culture (and cultural diffusion)diffusion)
Kush
• Closely tied to the Kush of Closely tied to the Kush of EgyptEgypt
• Controlled trade in regionControlled trade in region
• Quickly adopted ChristianityQuickly adopted Christianity
• Developed a written languageDeveloped a written language
• Agriculture based economyAgriculture based economy
• Traded basics for luxury goodsTraded basics for luxury goods
• Closely tied to the Kush of Closely tied to the Kush of EgyptEgypt
• Controlled trade in regionControlled trade in region
• Quickly adopted ChristianityQuickly adopted Christianity
• Developed a written languageDeveloped a written language
• Agriculture based economyAgriculture based economy
• Traded basics for luxury goodsTraded basics for luxury goods
Aksum (300 – 700 AD)Aksum (300 – 700 AD)
Aksum Aksum (cont’d)(cont’d)Aksum Aksum (cont’d)(cont’d)• Built complex cut stone Built complex cut stone
buildings & monumentsbuildings & monuments• Developed a written Developed a written
languagelanguage• Built dams and canalsBuilt dams and canals• Declined in power due to Declined in power due to
Muslim invadersMuslim invaders• Made gold & silver coinsMade gold & silver coins• Because deforestation & Because deforestation &
desertification destroyed desertification destroyed their farmlands, they used their farmlands, they used terrace farming to increase terrace farming to increase farmland farmland
• Built complex cut stone Built complex cut stone buildings & monumentsbuildings & monuments
• Developed a written Developed a written languagelanguage
• Built dams and canalsBuilt dams and canals• Declined in power due to Declined in power due to
Muslim invadersMuslim invaders• Made gold & silver coinsMade gold & silver coins• Because deforestation & Because deforestation &
desertification destroyed desertification destroyed their farmlands, they used their farmlands, they used terrace farming to increase terrace farming to increase farmland farmland
Central Africa & the Great ZimbabweCentral Africa & the Great Zimbabwe
• Background:– Grew as a result of rich gold deposits along Zambezi
River– The Shona people took control of mining (700 BC’s +/-)– Built fortified enclosures, such as “The Great
Zimbabwe”– Fortified structures example of advanced stonework– Mysterious & rapid decline after 1400AD
• Background:– Grew as a result of rich gold deposits along Zambezi
River– The Shona people took control of mining (700 BC’s +/-)– Built fortified enclosures, such as “The Great
Zimbabwe”– Fortified structures example of advanced stonework– Mysterious & rapid decline after 1400AD
Early Empires of Western AfricaEarly Empires of Western Africa
Ghana, Mali, & Songhay(i)Ghana, Mali, & Songhay(i)
Ghana (300 - 1200 AD)Ghana (300 - 1200 AD)
• Background:– Traditional kingdom– Located on a trade routes between north and south Africa– Heavily influenced by Muslim culture (language, architecture, and
writing)– Rulers eventually converted to Islam– Made neighboring lands pay taxes and gifts – Nobles aided king in control of areas
• Background:– Traditional kingdom– Located on a trade routes between north and south Africa– Heavily influenced by Muslim culture (language, architecture, and
writing)– Rulers eventually converted to Islam– Made neighboring lands pay taxes and gifts – Nobles aided king in control of areas
• Achievements:– Traded gold and salt with other empires– Protected trade routes and ensured fair trade practices– Women had a high status– Made iron weapons, large army– Traded gold, salt, and slaves
• Achievements:– Traded gold and salt with other empires– Protected trade routes and ensured fair trade practices– Women had a high status– Made iron weapons, large army– Traded gold, salt, and slaves
AfricanAfrican Trade RoutesTrade RoutesAfricanAfrican Trade RoutesTrade Routes
Mali Mali (1200 – 1400 AD)
Mali Mali (1200 – 1400 AD)
• Background:– Theocracy (Muslim)
– Centered around the city of Timbuktu
– Traded gold & salt
– Greatest leader was Mansa Musa
• Background:– Theocracy (Muslim)
– Centered around the city of Timbuktu
– Traded gold & salt
– Greatest leader was Mansa Musa
• Achievements:– Center of learning &
knowledge– Had a very able
government workers– Built a strong army– Suffered from weak
leadership after Mansa Musa
• Achievements:– Center of learning &
knowledge– Had a very able
government workers– Built a strong army– Suffered from weak
leadership after Mansa Musa
Mansa Musa was the greatest Mali rulerMansa Musa was the greatest Mali ruler
Songhay (1400 – 1600 AD)Songhay (1400 – 1600 AD)• Background:
– Empire with efficient bureaucracy
– Centered around the city of Timbuktu
– Traded gold, cattle, & salt
– Founded by Sunni Ali
• Background:– Empire with efficient bureaucracy
– Centered around the city of Timbuktu
– Traded gold, cattle, & salt
– Founded by Sunni Ali
• Achievements:– Efficient taxation and communications
system developed– Traded with Europe– Built a strong army– Invaded by Moroccans– Last great West African trading empire
• Achievements:– Efficient taxation and communications
system developed– Traded with Europe– Built a strong army– Invaded by Moroccans– Last great West African trading empire
Benin (1000 – 1600 AD)
Benin (1000 – 1600 AD)
• Achievements:– Bronze sculptures
– Traded pepper and ivory
• Achievements:– Bronze sculptures
– Traded pepper and ivory
• Background:– Centered around the
mouth of the Niger River
– Captured slaves and sold them to Europeans for guns and iron
• Background:– Centered around the
mouth of the Niger River
– Captured slaves and sold them to Europeans for guns and iron