African Kingdoms Standard 4.3

African Geography Africa is incredibly diverse in terms of geography, climate and people. Regions: Congo – Dense rainforest and jungle in central Africa Savannah – Grassland covers about 40% of Africa central region Sahara Dessert – Largest desert on earth. Creates a major divide between N. and S. Africa

Kush and Axum Kush Agriculture first appeared in the lower Nile valley The site of the first true African kingdom Migration south from Egypt resulted in the independent state of Kush Kush became a major trading state Little known about the society of Kush Seems to have been wealthy Axum Conquered Kush in 4th century C.E. Trading empire Location on trade routes responsible for prosperity Competed for control of ivory trade Practiced Christianity Would be renamed Ethiopia

Rise of Islam Islam rises in Africa in 622 AD 641 Arab forces capture Egypt Arab Muslims rule North Africa coast to strait of Gibraltar Relationship with Christian Axum is peaceful 12th century Muslim states moved inland to control trade Muslim traders had significant impact on North Africa

Ghana and Mali Ghana Majority of people were farmers Primary reason for Ghana’s growth was gold Trans-Saharan trade with Egypt becomes very important Kings did not convert to Islam, but many of their subjects did Mali Series of wars bring the fall of Ghana by the twelfth century New states of Mali and Songhai were born Greatest state was Mali Gold trade Farming in the savanna region Mansa Musa (1312-1337), king, encouraged Islam City of Timbuktu becomes center of trade, religion and learning

Trans-Saharan trade routes ©2004 Wadsworth, a division of Thomson Learning, Inc. Thomson Learning™ is a trademark used herein under license.

Swahili Mixed African/Arab culture arises. Muslim religion and Arabic architecture become part of African society Swahili language arises as well African Bantu trade with Arabic people. Language mixes both Bantu and Arabic Swahili language spreads North and West with Ivory and Slave trade. Swahili Primary language region

Stateless Societies in Southern Africa From the basin of the Congo River to the Cape of Good Hope Stateless society – A group of independent villages loosely connected by clan ties but with no central government. Zimbabwe Capital known as Great Zimbabwe Benefited from trade between interior and coast Evidence of great wealth, but Great Zimbabwe abandoned Great Enclosure (purpose unknown)