Aim: What influence did religion and trade have on the development of East Africa? Do Now: List some advantages and disadvantages that trading and religion has on a society.

1. AXUM AND HIS SUCCESSORS i. In A.D 350, King Ezana of Axum conquered and absorbed the ancient Nile kingdom of Nubia. Located to the southeast of Nubia, Axum extended from the mountains of present day Ethiopia to the Red Sea. a. The people of Axum consisted of descendants from African farmers and from traders who brought Jewish religious traditions from Arabia. • The merging of these cultures resulted in another religion, and gave rise to a unique written and spoken language, Geez.

2. A TRADE NETWORK i. The kingdom of Axum majorly profited from the strategic location of its two main cities, the port of Adulis on the Red Sea, and the upland capital city of Axum. a. From 200 B.C to A.D 400, Axum commanded a triangular trade network that connected Africa to India by the Arabian Sea to the Mediterranean.

3. THE SPREAD OF CHRISTIANITY i. Ideas spread along with the vast international trade, and the ideas of Greek, Egypt, Arab, and Jewish merchants merged with traditions of Africa, India, and other regions. a. In the 300s, Axum’s King Ezana converted to Christianity, and as the religion took among the people, Christian churches replaced older temples.

4. Ethiopia - a Christian Outpost i. Even after Axum’s political and economic power faded, it’s cultural and religious influence did not vanish. Its legacy survived among the peoples of the interior uplands, in what today is Ethiopia. ii. Protected by the rugged mountains, the remaining Axumites were able to maintain their independence for centuries. Their success was due part to their strong unifying faith of Coptic Christianity. a. Ethiopian Christians borrowed many different traditions from other cultures. They adapted East African music and dance. They observed Jewish holidays and rules about diet.

5. EAST AFRICAN CITY-STATES i. While Axum declined, a string of commercial cities including Kilwa, Mogadishu, Mombasa, and Sofala gradually rose along the East African coast. Under the protection of local African rulers, Arab and Persian merchants set up Muslim communities in A.D 600. Trade led to a mixing of cultures in East Africa. a. Port cities and offshore cities were ideally located for trading with Asia. • As a result, Asian traders and immigrants, from as far as Indonesia, soon added to the rich cultural mix.

Europe and the Mediterranean 6. Growing Trade Africa Asia Europe and the Mediterranean Ivory Precious stones and ores (iron) Linen cloth Hides, skins, and animal products Spices Brass and copper Gold Weapons (such as swords) Iron tools Iron Cotton, cloth and silk Wine Copper Porcelain, china, and glassware Olive oil i. On the East African coast, rulers saw the advantages of trade as they welcomed ships from Arabia, Persia, and China. a. Trade Goods from Africa, Asia, and Europe and the Mediterranean, passing through the markets of Axum and the East African coast, included

7. A BLEND OF CULTURES i. International trade created a rich and varied mix of cultures in the East African city-states. The spread of Islam allowed for Middle Eastern influences to grow stronger. a. Additionally, the blend of cultures gave rise to a new language. • Known as Swahili, it fused many Arabic words onto a Bantu base and was written in Arabic script.

8. Great Zimbabwe “Great Stone Buildings” i. The structures such as looming walls, a great palace and coned shaped towers were part of the great inland empire that made it vastly powerful and prosperous. As people settled there, fertile land enabled them to produce enough food for the growing population. As technology advanced, the economy grew.

Transported beads from India and porcelain from China. a. Economy • Great Zimbabwe was: 1. Apart of a trade network that reached across the Indian Ocean. Transported beads from India and porcelain from China. 2. A center for manufacturing Artisans turned copper and gold into jewelry and iron tools b. Decline (1500s) over farming  exhaustion of soil civil war dwindling trade