Early African Civilizations 2000 B.C. – A.D. 1500 Chapter 7 Early African Civilizations 2000 B.C. – A.D. 1500

Modern Day Africa

Key Events The continent’s immense size and distinct geographical and climatic zones influenced where civilizations developed and how they survived The introduction of Christianity and Islam affected the way civilizations developed and interacted The development of trade led to the exchange of goods and cultural ideas

The Impact Today The expansion of trade creates a global society, allowing people to exchange goods, services, and ideas throughout the world African art, music, and dance remain very influential today

“Explorer Finds Great Zimbabwe” Chapter Preview “Explorer Finds Great Zimbabwe”

The Development of Civilizations in Africa Section 1 The Development of Civilizations in Africa

The Land of Africa Northern coast is mountainous South of the mountains is the Sahara desert Major regions south of the Sahara Hump of Africa (Sahara gives way to grasslands and the tropical jungles) Great Rift Valley (Mountains loom over deep canyons) Grasslands with many wild animals Congo Basin (Dense Vegetation watered by the Congo river) Atlas Mountains. Africa is the 2nd largest continent (Asia). Sahara is the largest desert on earth.

Sahara Desert View other google images of the Sahara desert.

Great Rift Valley View other google images of the Sahara desert.

Congo Basin View other google images of the Sahara desert.

The Climate of Africa 4 Distinct Climate Zones (Map 224) Mild Zone (Moderate rainfall and warm temperatures result in fertile land that produces abundant crops) Deserts (40% of Africa) Rain Forest (Heavy rains and warm temperatures produce dense forests where little farming and little travel are possible) Savannas (Broad grasslands dotted with small trees and shrubs)

Kush Became independent in 1000 B.C. In 750 B.C. Kush Conquered Egypt In 663 B.C. the Kushites were overwhelmed by the Assyrians and returned to upper Nile Valley Economy originally based on farming Soon emerged as one of the major trading states in the region Kushites made iron weapons and tools

Kush (Continued) For the next 200 years, Kush was a major trading empire, providing iron products and goods from central and eastern Africa to the Roman Empire, as well as to Arabia and India. Other Exports – Ivory, gold, ebony, and slaves. Imports – Luxury goods, including jewelry and silver lamps from India and Arabia. Kush flourished from 250 B.C. to 150 A.D. but declined because of the new power Axum.

Axum Located in the highlands of what is now Ethiopia Founded by Arabs from the southern tip of the Arabian Peninsula Eventually combined Arab and African cultures Prosperous due to location on Red Sea trade route Conquered Kush in 4th century A.D. Christianity was made the official religion of Axum after King Ezana converted to Christianity.

The Coming of Islam For hundreds of years, relations between Christian Axum and its Muslim neighbors were relatively peaceful. 12th Century – Problems arose as the Muslim states along the coast began to move inland to gain control over trade. 15th Century – Axum was deeply involved with the Muslim state of Adal.

Kingdoms and States of Africa Section 2 Kingdoms and States of Africa

The Kingdom of Ghana The first great trading state in West Africa – Emerged in A.D. 500 Most people were farmers living in villages under a local ruler Together the villages formed the kingdom of Ghana The Kings of Ghana were strong rulers (with great wealth) who governed without any laws. Located in upper Niger river valley (West Africa)

Ghana Location

Ghana – Economy and Trade Lived off the land and also prospered from their possession of both iron and gold. Received imports of metal goods, textiles, horses, and salt from Muslim merchants Exchange of goods took place through “silent trade” – page 229. Also exported ivory, ostrich feathers, hides, and slaves. Skilled craftsmen turned ore into tools and weapons. Read about trade – Page 229, 230. Ghana collapsed during the 1100’s.

Exports through Camel Caravans

The Kingdom of Mali Established around 1240 by Sundiata Keita (Compared to George Washington) Extended from the Atlantic coast to the famous trading city of Timbuktu Local rulers sent tax revenue to the Kings of Mali Richest and most powerful king – Mansa Musa By 1359, civil war divided Mali. Read about Mansa Musa on 230/231. Soon after the civil war, the Songhai Kingdom began to surpass Mali.

Mali Location

The Kingdom of Songhai Located south of the bend in the Niger River in Western Africa Due to military victories Songhai had control of the trading empire, especially salt and gold Declined in the 16th century mainly due to Morocco forces occupying much of Songhai By 1600 the Songhai Empire was all but gone

African Trading Empires Review chart on page 232 Kush Axum Ghana Mali Songhai

Migration of Bantus to East Africa (1st millennium B.C.) Communities based on subsistence farming Sometime after A.D. 1000 , descendants of a Bantu tribe established the prosperous city of Great Zimbabwe Subsistence farming – growing crops for personal use, not for sale.

Great Zimbabwe

Great Zimbabwe

Bantus String of trading ports on the Eastern edge of Africa (Mogadishu, Mombasa, and Kilwa) – 7th and 8th centuries. Later in the 1500’s a Swahili culture began to emerge throughout the coastal area. Swahili – Mixed African-Arabian culture, means “people of the coast”. Swahili is still the national language of Kenya and Tanzania. Review map on page 233.

South Africa Until the eleventh century A.D., most of the peoples lived in a stateless society. From about 1300 to 1450, Zimbabwe was the wealthiest and most powerful state in the region. Stateless society – a group of independent villages organized by clans and led by a local ruler or clan head. Read page 234.

African Society and Culture Section 3 African Society and Culture

Relationship helped both sides King and Subject Less of a divide between king and common people in Africa. Nevertheless, the king was still held in a position high above all others. Relationship helped both sides Merchants received favors from the king King’s treasury received taxes paid by merchants King maintained law and order in the kingdom so that the merchants could practice their trade

Extended family and lineage groups were very important to Africans. All members of a lineage group could claim to be descended from a real or legendary common ancestor. The elders in the group had the most power Members took care of one another Lineage group – an extended family unit that has combined into a larger community.

Usually subordinate to Men Role of Women Usually subordinate to Men Women often worked in the fields while the men tended cattle or hunted Most African societies were matrilineal rather than patrilineal Matrilineal – societies in which descent is traced through the mother Patrilineal – societies in which descent is traced through the father

Community Education and Initiation At age 6, boys went to live in “house of the men” and girls in “the house of the women” – raised for adult roles Initiation and ritual ceremony took place at puberty where they became men and women and entered into the life of the community Read page 238

African Ritual Ceremony

Slavery Had been practiced in Africa since ancient times Berber groups raided farming villages south of Sahara for captives and sold them throughout the Mediterranean Slaves used in a variety of ways (Page 238) Some slaves becam soldiers, others were used as domestic servants.

Religious Beliefs in Africa Most early Africans believed in a single creator - God. Sometimes, the “creator god” was joined by a whole group of lesser gods. Communication through rituals – by diviners. Diviners – people who believe they have the power to foretell events, usually by working with supernatural forces.

Religious Beliefs in Africa (Cont.) Importance of ancestors (closer to the gods) Many African religions shared a belief in afterlife Islam began spreading rapidly in Northern Africa and more slowly south of the Sahara Christianity also spread in the mountains of Ethiopia Africa imported ideas were combined with native beliefs to create a unique brand of Africanized Islam.

African Culture Earliest art forms in Africa were rock paintings showing the life of the peoples. Wood carvers made remarkable masks and statues (usually representing gods, spirits, and ancestral figures). Later, metal workers produced handsome bronze and iron statues Dance, music, and storytelling served religious purposes.

Early African Civilizations Wrap Up and Review Chapter 7 Early African Civilizations Wrap Up and Review

Key Events (Re-visited) The continent’s immense size and distinct geographical and climatic zones influenced where civilizations developed and how they survived The introduction of Christianity and Islam affected the way civilizations developed and interacted The development of trade led to the exchange of goods and cultural ideas

The Impact Today (Re-visited) The expansion of trade creates a global society, allowing people to exchange goods, services, and ideas throughout the world African art, music, and dance remain very influential today