Africa

True or False? Africa is bigger than Europe, China, India, and the US combines. ___ All living humans can be traced back to Africa. ___ There are over 1,000 languages and dialects spoken in Africa. ___ Africa is mostly jungle. ___ Religious artwork consisted mainly of statues and masks. ___ Traditionally, most Africans believed in animism, the belief that everything in nature has a spirit. ___

True or False? Most present-day Africans are either Muslim or Christian. ___ The deserts in Africa are constantly growing. ___ Today, food shortages and famine are common occurrences throughout Africa. ___ Some of Africa’s biggest kingdoms arose as a result of trading salt. ___ Timbuktu is a city in Africa. ___ A giant desert has divided Northern Africa from the rest of the African continent, resulting major differences in culture and language. ___

Climate Zones in Africa 1. Mediterranean Climate (5%) -moderate climate & fertile soil 2. Desert (40%) -Sahara Desert -Kalahari Desert 3. Rain Forest (5%) 4. Savannah (50%) -grasslands

Geographical Details Continent is a plateau (shaped like an upside-down plate) Continent is a plateau (shaped like an upside-down plate) Steep drop in elevation at coastsSteep drop in elevation at coasts Waterfalls & rapids mean no major navigable rivers from coastWaterfalls & rapids mean no major navigable rivers from coast No natural harborsNo natural harbors

The Bantu Bantu people from South East Nigeria Bantu people from South East Nigeria Farmers & herders, possessed iron-making skills Farmers & herders, possessed iron-making skills With agriculture- population grew, needed to expand With agriculture- population grew, needed to expand Spread Bantu culture  skills and language Spread Bantu culture  skills and language

The Bantu Fought and defeated some groups– iron weapons as opposed to stone Fought and defeated some groups– iron weapons as opposed to stone Intermarried & cooperated with other groups, adapted to environment  diversity of cultures Intermarried & cooperated with other groups, adapted to environment  diversity of cultures Today 900 Bantu-related languages; spoken by 60 million people Today 900 Bantu-related languages; spoken by 60 million people

Bantu Migration

Bantu influenced sub-Saharan culture Religion Religion Language Language Art Art

Traditional African Religion Animism = the belief that spirits/gods exist in nature, in objects, animals, etc. Animism = the belief that spirits/gods exist in nature, in objects, animals, etc. Ancestor worship = the belief that dead ancestors can be called on for help Ancestor worship = the belief that dead ancestors can be called on for help Belief in a supreme creator God Belief in a supreme creator God

Traditional African Music Timbila of Mozambique Ritual Healing Music of Malawi

Traditional African Music Wolof Music of Senegal Mbira of Zimbabwe

Traditional African Masks

Traditional African Statues

“Dogon Couple” Mali Mali Celebrates fertility and shows gender roles Celebrates fertility and shows gender roles

Great Empires Emerge from Salt-Gold Trade of West Africa West Africa : 1. Ghana ( ) 2. Mali ( ) 3. Songhai ( )

Great Empires Emerge from Salt- Gold Trade of West Africa Money earned from taxing/controlling trade was used to maintain large armies to spread and control the empires Trade brought contact with Muslim traders, Islam became religion of the region Under Mali and Songhai, Timbuktu became a center of trade

West African Trade Gold & Salt  most commonly traded items Gold & Salt  most commonly traded items Gold comes from the rainforestGold comes from the rainforest Salt comes from the Sahara DesertSalt comes from the Sahara Desert

Ibn Battuta 1300s Muslim judge from Northern Africa Muslim judge from Northern Africa Makes a pilgrimage (hajj) to Mecca Makes a pilgrimage (hajj) to Mecca Travel for 30 years– 77,000 miles Travel for 30 years– 77,000 miles Travels to India, China, Arabian Peninsula, Mali Travels to India, China, Arabian Peninsula, Mali

Ibn Battuta Records account of travels 30 years later Records account of travels 30 years later Biased because of his role as a MuslimBiased because of his role as a Muslim Offended by non-Muslim practicesOffended by non-Muslim practices Ibn’s Records= Evidence that Africa was once great and accomplished many achievements

Mansa Musa King of Mali- kingdom located between gold & salt trade King of Mali- kingdom located between gold & salt trade Extremely wealthy from gold & taxes Extremely wealthy from gold & taxes Made a pilgrimage to Mecca (Muslim) Made a pilgrimage to Mecca (Muslim)

Mansa Musa’s Pilgrimage to Mecca Brought a large caravan: Brought a large caravan: 100 camels with 300 pounds of gold each100 camels with 300 pounds of gold each 500 slaves each with a gold staff500 slaves each with a gold staff 60,000 followers60,000 followers Stopped in Cairo, Egypt- gave away so much gold the value of gold decreased Stopped in Cairo, Egypt- gave away so much gold the value of gold decreased

Mansa Musa Spent all his money when he reached Mecca & had to borrow money to return to Mali Spent all his money when he reached Mecca & had to borrow money to return to Mali Mansa Musa/Kingdom of Mali= Evidence that Africa was once great and accomplished many achievements