POST-CLASSICAL CIVILIZATION IN SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA

COMMONALITIES IN AFRICAN SOCIETY Tribes = based on kinship

Led by chief or king Military commander, chief priest, head judge, lawmaker

council of elders = advise Religion

Ancestor worship & animism Secret societies

Educate children in tribe’s customs Limit ruler’s authority Settle disputes & enforce punishments

Little crime; wealth = many friends & children Family

Husband pays bride price Polygamy = multiple wives

ETHIOPIA (1200-1400S)

First Christian kingdom in Africa Culturally isolated

Unique Christian faith Faced constant threat by Muslim

invaders King Lalibela (1200s)

Sponsored church construction sculpted from rock

Dynasty began in which kings claimed descent from King Solomon Continued until 1900s.

ETHIOPIA: LALIBELA

LALIBELA

POST-CLASSICAL AFRICAN TRADE

MALI

MALI: 1230-1468

Founded by the Malinke people Known for = commerce, bureaucracy,

scholarship Key to success = agriculture & trade

Caravan trade across Sahara Contact with Muslim merchants

Conversion to Islam Mainly merchants & rulers Convert in order to gain stature among Arab states Others = mix Islamic with local religion

Timbuktu = capital

MALI: SUNDIATA

1st great Malian king Known as “Lion Prince” Ruled 1230-1255 A.D. Took title of “Mansa” = “emperor” strong military leader

Unified state Mali Established social arrangements Secured kingdom

Griots = oral historians & king’s advisors

MALI: MANSA MUSA

Reigned 1312-1337 A.D.

Made Hajj to Mecca 15,000 people in his party 500 slaves carred gold gave so much gold away that he caused inflation in Egypt for a decade Brought back muslim architect = construct

mosques

Empire declined with Musa’s death

MALI: TIMBUKTU

Major trading hub: Gold, slaves, salt

Center of Islamic learning 150 schools Library

Home of merchants, artisans, & scholars

Religious & ethnic toleration

MALI: TIMBUKTU

SANKORE MOSQUE

MALI: GREAT MOSQUE AT DJENNE

MALI: GREAT MOSQUE AT DJENNE

SONGHAY

Rises from w/in Mali independence = c1370s Gained power under

Sunni Ali (military might) wealth = gold trade

DECLINE: -ATTACKED BY MUSLIMS FROM MOROCCO (1591 AD)

-INTERNAL REVOLT AGAINST RULERS

SUNNI ALI

THE SWAHILI COAST

SWAHILI COAST

East coast of Africa (Zanj) Arab traders

Established cities Mogadishu, Kilwa, Zanzibar

Influence African culture merchants adopt Islam Increase demand for interior’s products Swahili culture:

Mix of Arab & African life ex.Language, architecture, dress

Dhows near Zanzibar

SWAHILI COAST

YORUBA & BENIN

Yoruba Nigeria (small city-states, ie. Ile-Ife) Unclear origins Regional kings (divine w/civil powers) Terra cotta & bronze busts (post 1200 CE)

Benin East of Yoruba Formed in 14th C “Oba” = ruler Bronze and ivory art

YORUBA & BENIN

Ife, Nigeria (12th-15th C.

KONGO: GREAT ZIMBABWE

Begins c.13th-15th C Confederation of small states Control by “manikongo” (king) Farming & cattle-herding “zimbabwe” = stone house (for ruler & sub-chiefs)

Best example is “Great Zimbabwe” 1400s – led by Mwene Mutapa Controlled interior’s gold Split apart by internal divisions & rebellion

GREAT ZIMBABWE

GREAT ZIMBABWE