1. Early African Civilizations

2. The Great Rift Valley Believed that the first humans emerged here.
Migrations began outward from here.
People learned to adapt and alter their environments.
Eastern Africa

3. Nomadic Peoples Early Africans were “hunter - gatherers.”
In areas of rich wildlife, pastoralists or herders learned to domesticate animals.
Both lived nomadic lifestyles.

4. Transition to Settled Lifestyles
Belief: Agriculture began 6,000 B.C. in Africa.
As Africans learned to farm, they began settled communities.
Reliable supply of food allowed specialized jobs, increased population.
The modern day San of the Kalahari.

5. Complex Settlements Larger settlements required organization .
People developed governments such as a village chief, or a council of leaders.
Some became large centralized powers .

6. Shared Elements of Culture
The family is the basic “social unit.”
Included extended family such as grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins.
Ties extended to the clan, a group with shared ancestors.

7. Language and History
All African societies had a language, but most were not written down.
History and culture passed down orally by storytellers or “griots.”

8. Belief Systems Helped people to understand their world
Animism - religious belief that spirits play a role in daily life.
Spirits are present in many forms -
including souls of dead ancestors.

9. Early Societies in West Africa
Archeology has shown that African nations developed advanced societies.
Major cities were present long before outsiders came to Africa.

10. The Nok
The earliest known culture of West Africa. Today’s modern Nigeria.
Developed technology to make iron tools and weapons.
Nok artisans were skilled in making terra cotta sculptures.

11. Djenne - Djeno
The ancient remains of this city and its many artifacts reveal it was a strong center of trade.
The oldest city south of the Sahara

12. Migration: Push-Pull Factors (8.2)
PUSH EXAMPLES
MIGRATION FACTORS
PULL EXAMPLES
Climate changes, exhausted resources, drought
Environmental
Abundant land, good climate, new resources
Unemployment, slavery
Economic
Employment Opportunities
Religious, ethnic, or political persecution, war
Political
Political and/or religious freedom

13. Kingdom of Aksum (8.3)
Arab people crossed Red Sea, mixed with Africans living there
Modern day Horn of Africa
International trading power
Christianity!

14. Accomplishments and Decline
Written language
Terracing
Architecture w no mortar
Fall? Islamic Invaders

15. Muslim States In the 600’s, Muslims spread across northwest Africa.
Many African people were converted to Islam.
Some rulers became Muslims and used Islamic law to rule.
Much of North Africa strongly influenced by Islam.

16. West Africa
Several powerful empires and states emerged in the Sahel. (Ghana, Mali)
Strength grew from taxation / control of trade.
Introduction of camels allowed trade to increase and grow throughout desert areas.

17. Gold and Salt Trade Arab traders crossed the desert by caravan.
Trading gold from one region for salt in another.
Port cities grew in wealth - trade included cloth, weapons, manufactured goods.

18. Eastern and Southern Empires (15.3)
Several empires grew powerful from trade.
Trade developed along seaports between Muslims and Africans.
Intermixing of Arabic and Bantu languages blended into the Swahili language.

19. Great Zimbabwe A powerful empire emerged in southeastern Africa.
The city of Great Zimbabwe became a political, religious and economic center.
Massive stone walls enclosed the palace. By 1450, city was abandoned.