Africa

Geography ●Considered an “unusual continent” ●Many different climates and landforms ●Sahara desert covers northern part ●Sub-Saharan areas more fertile

Landforms -Most of Africa is a large plateau -a plateau is an area of relatively flat high ground

Environments and Vegetation Zones Desert – Sahara - most of north Africa Sahel – fertile region along southern edge of Sahara unpredictable rainfall, long droughts, grasslands Tropical Savannah – wet and dry seasons Rainforest – along the equator tall trees with climbing vines hot and wet year round -Main river of West Africa: Niger -Flows east into Sahel, curves through northeast, and then flows southeast across the savannah to Atlantic Ocean.

Religion

Spread of Islam -Almoravids captured Ghana- leaders were converted to Islam. -Mansa Musa’s hajj: brought back scholars, artists, and teachers to spread Islam to his people and to build mosques in Djenne, Gao, and Timbuktu -Askia Muhammad: Islamic laws based on Qur’an

Achievements Ironworking, Art, Music, Dance, Oral Tradition, Education

Metal tools and weapons were sharper and stronger than those made of stone, wood, or bone.

Importance of Improved Ironworking ●Better, stronger weapons = easier to fight off enemies ●Better farming tools = higher quality food ○ better (and more) food = increased population ●Soninke people became known as the Empire of Ghana as a result

Art, Music, and Dance Art, music, and dance were used to express what was important to the people, and to pass down history and culture.

Art ●Purposes ○ Show off wealth and power ■ sculpted portraits of kings and queens ■ metal plaques and figures of important events and people ■ clay soldiers in fine detail ○ express beliefs ■ carved wooden images of ancestors to honor the dead ■ masks of gods and spirits for dancers to wear in religious ceremonies

Oral Traditions ●Proverbs... ○ are wise sayings that provide a quick way to transmit wisdom. ○ deal with all aspects of life. ●Families shared folk tales. ○ sometimes about heroes or hunters ○ Animal fables like “Anansi the Spider” to teach children right from wrong.

Professional storytellers and oral historians were called griots. Oral Traditions

Oral Traditions - Griots Griots are storytellers. Africa had no written language. Griots told stories of tradition and history. These stories preserved culture. Griots are still valued today.

Mansa Musa’s Hajj ●Brought back teachers, artists, and scholars ○ Mosques and centers for learning were built ○ Islam’s influence grew stronger ○ Students and teachers from North Africa and the Middle East came to West Africa to study.

Political Features

Sumanguru, the “Sorcerer King” ●He was said to have magical powers ●He was cruel ○ taxed his subjects heavily ○ stole their gold ○ kidnapped their wives and daughters ○ killed any who challenged his power ●He made one major mistake ○ Left the youngest prince alive since he was crippled ○ That prince was Sundiata

Sundiata, “The Hungering Lion” Sundiata defeated Sumanguru established peace overcame being crippled

Fall of Ghana Ghana never recovered from the invasion of the Almoravids.

Sunni Ali Ber Strong fleet of soldiers - infantry and cavalry infantry carried bows with poison arrows cavalry carried swords and long spears Conquered rich Muslim city of Timbuktu

Economic Features

Economy - Trans-Sahara Trade ● Trans-Sahara Trade o Bases on resources gold and salt o West Africans had gold but needed salt o North Africans had salt but needed gold

Economy - Silent Trade ● Silent Barter - trade without words o Traders leave goods at designated place o Miners leave gold o If traders wanted more gold, they would leave without touching gold or goods o Miners would then leave more gold o Both sides happy - they leave with the goods that they came for o It kept the location of the mines from the traders

Economy - Ghana Kings/Rulers ● To keep prices for gold high: o Only kings/rulers could own gold o Rulers taxed trade o Created a lot of revenue/income for the government

Economy - Other Resources ● North Africans brought steel swords, copper, and silks to West Africa ● They would return with ivory, crafts, precious woods, and enslaved people

Economy - Miscellaneous ● Islam was important to trade o gave a common language ● Leader Askia Muhammad used armies to protect trade routes

Social Features

Social Structure ● Large families formed lineages (groups of people related to common ancestor) ● Each lineage is was a part of a clan ● Several clans live together in a village ● Several villages united into an ethnic group (group with distinct culture, language, & identity

Social Structure

Caste System (Cont.) ● Slaves came from groups defeated in war or were born into it ● Slaves has some rights o Could marry - families had to stay together o Could earn money to buy freedom