States and Societies of Sub-Saharan Africa Chapter 18

I: Effects of Early African Migrations By 1000, Bantu speakers settled most of SSA Spread of agriculture and herding (displaced or absorbed h/g) iron -> more agricultural production -> increasing population -> more migration Bananas (from SE Asia): nutritious and expansion into forested areas -> more food -> increasing population

I: African Political Organization Early: kin-based societies (aka “stateless societies” or “segmentary societies”) No elaborate hierarchy or bureaucracy: rule through family, ruling council (family patriarchs), groups of villages = districts (=ethnic loyalties) Early Cities: Jenne-Jeno (400 CE) – center of iron prod. and trade (with N. Africa and south)

I: African Political Organization As population increased and no new land to migrate to, political organization became more complex -> chiefdom Chiefs ruled districts, some built kingdoms (e.g., Kingdom of Kongo)

II: Islamic Kingdoms and Empires Islam was introduced to SSA by 2 routes: to West Africa via trans-Saharan camel caravans to East Africa via Indian Ocean traders

II: Trans-Saharan Trade and Islamic States in West Africa Camel caravans -> zone of commerce and communication with West Africa by late 8th century Kingdom of Ghana: gold (from south), ivory, and slaves attracted Muslim traders (for salt, etc.) Capital was trading center, with stone buildings, mosques, qadis, army Kings converted to Islam by 10th century, improving relations with traders (and desert nomads) kept some traditional religious elements and did not force people to convert

II: Empire of Mali Successor state with decline of Ghana Sundiata (r. 1230-1255) built empire through expansion and consolidation of power Benefitted from trans-Saharan trade market cities grew, including Timbuktu, Gao, etc. Honored Islam by providing for merchants and encouraging conversion

II: Empire of Mali (cont.) Mansa Musa (r. 1312-1337): high point of Mali Hajj in 1324-25, serious about Islam (mosques, schools, imported teachers) Decline: factions, seceding provinces, military pressure on borders

II: Indian Ocean Trade and Islamic States in East Africa Long history of trade, but Bantus formed small states = Swahili society (on coasts) The Swahili: language (Bantu plus Arabic), culture (along east coast), got gold, slaves, and ivory from interior to trade with Muslim merchants City-States: chiefs built power by controlling trade; port cities became city-states with kings Began building with coral and stone (mosques, etc.) Elites practiced conspicuous consumption

II: Interior States Through control and tax of trade with coast led to formation of large kingdoms in the interior of east and central Africa e.g., Zimbabwe: stone city with palaces and public buildings

II: Islam in East Africa Ruling elites and wealthy merchants converted to Islam (but continued their traditions) to improve trade relations and legitimize rule Also, received recognition from other Muslim rulers Islam spread among people, but not by force

III: African Society and Cultural Development Lots of diversity, but some common patterns Social classes: different in large kingdoms, city-states, and empires (lots) vs. small states (elites and commoners) and kin-based society (none??) Kinship groups: extended family and clan very important (communal ownership, work, etc.)

III: African Society and Cultural Development Sex and Gender roles: Men were specialists (e.g., blacksmiths), but both farmed Women had higher status than elsewhere: did not change with introduction of Islam Age-Grades: groups of community-members of the same age Slavery: form of personal wealth; slave trade increased as demand increased elsewhere

III: African Religion Variety, but some common features: Creator god: intervened through spirits Lesser deities and spirits: associated with natural features, active participants in human lives (plus, ancestor spirits), had rituals to honor them Diviners: religious specialists – to mediate between humans and supernatural; consulted oracles, prescribed solutions Less theological, more practical

III: The Arrival of Christianity and Islam Christianity: Mid-4th century: Kingdom of Axum – converted for trade relations After Islamic conquest, little contact with other Christians -> adapted to African interests (charms, carved rock churches) => Ethiopian Christianity Islam: Appealed to ruling elites and merchants Also adapted to local interests and needs: amulets, rituals, gender roles