1. African Civilizations, 1500 B.C.–A.D. 700
African cultures adapt to harsh environments, spread through major migrations, and establish powerful kingdoms.
Kuba ceremonial mask, Congo.
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2. African Civilizations, 1500 B.C.–A.D. 700
SECTION 1
Diverse Societies in Africa
SECTION 2
CASE STUDY: Migration
SECTION 3
The Kingdom of Aksum
These are my notes for slide 2
Map
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3. Diverse Societies in Africa
Section 1
Diverse Societies in Africa
African peoples develop diverse societies as they adapt to varied environments.
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4. Diverse Societies in Africa
SECTION 1
Diverse Societies in Africa
A Land of Geographic Contrasts
Geography of Africa
• Large continent but coastline has few ports, harbors, or inlets
Challenging Environments
• Africa has many deserts, including huge Sahara
• The southern edge of the expanding Sahara is called the Sahel
• Rainforests found near central part of continent
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Welcoming Lands
• Northern coast and southern tip of Africa have Mediterranean climates
• Savannas, or grasslands, cover almost half of Africa
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5. Early Humans Adapt to Their Environments
SECTION 1
Early Humans Adapt to Their Environments
Nomadic Lifestyle
• Earliest people are nomadic hunter-gatherers
• Herders drive animals to find water, graze pastures
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Transition to a Settled Lifestyle
• Agriculture probably develops by 6000 B.C.
• As the Sahara dried up, farmers move to West Africa or Nile Valley
• Agriculture allows permanent settlement, governments to develop
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6. Early Societies in Africa
SECTION 1
Early Societies in Africa
Societies Organized by Family Groups
• Extended families made up of several generations
• Families with common ancestors form groups known as clans
Local Religions
• Early religions usually include elements of animism—belief in spirits
Keeping a History
• Few African societies have written languages
• History, literature, culture passed on by storytellers called griots
• Cultures in West Africa are advanced long before outsiders arrive
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7. West African Iron Age Learning About the Past The Nok Culture
SECTION 1
West African Iron Age
Learning About the Past
• Artifacts reveal how people lived in the past
• Evidence of sub-Saharan cultures producing iron around 500 B.C.
The Nok Culture
• Nok—West Africa’s earliest known culture— made iron tools, weapons
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Djenné-Djeno
• From 600–200 B.C., cities begin to develop near rivers, oases
• Djenné-Djeno—Africa’s oldest known city ( B.C.), discovered in 1977
• Bustling trade center; linked West African towns, camel trade routes
Image
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8. Section 2
Migration
CASE STUDY: Bantu-Speaking Peoples
Relocation of large numbers of Bantu-speaking people brings cultural diffusion and change to southern Africa.
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9. Migration People on the Move Migration Causes of Migration
SECTION 2
Migration
CASE STUDY: Bantu-Speaking Peoples
People on the Move
Migration
• Migration—permanent move to new place; a
pattern in human culture
Causes of Migration
• Push-pull factors—Conditions that push people
out of an area or pull them in
Chart
Effects of Migration
• Brings diverse cultures into contact; changes life in
the new land
Tracing Migration Through Language
• One way to trace migration is to study how
languages spread
• Africa has many complex language families
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10. Massive Migrations Bantu-speaking Peoples Migration Begins
SECTION 2
Massive Migrations
Bantu-speaking Peoples
• Bantu-speaking peoples—early Africans who
spread culture and language
• Originally lived in savanna south of Sahara; now
southeastern Nigeria
• The word Bantu means “the people”
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Migration Begins
• Bantu speakers migrate south and east starting
about 3000 B.C.
• Live by slash-and-burn farming, nomadic herding
• Share skills, learn new customs, adapt to
environment
Map
Continued . . .
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11. Effects of the Migration
SECTION 2
continued Massive Migrations
Causes of Migration
• Bantu speakers move to find farmland, flee
growing Sahara
• Need iron ore resources and hardwood forests for
iron smelting
• Within 1,500 years they reach southern tip of
Africa
Effects of the Migration
• Bantu speakers drive out some inhabitants; intermix
with others
• Bantu migrations produce a great variety of cultures
• Language helps unify the continent
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12. The Kingdom of Aksum Section 3
The kingdom of Aksum becomes an international trading power and adopts Christianity.
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13. The Kingdom of Aksum The Rise of the Kingdom of Aksum
SECTION 3
The Kingdom of Aksum
The Rise of the Kingdom of Aksum
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Aksum’s Geography
• Aksum—kingdom replaces Kush in East Africa;
blend of Africans, Arabs
• Located on Horn of Africa, modern day Ethiopia and
Eritrea
• Trading kingdom linking Africa and Indian Ocean
trade routes
The Origins of Aksum
• Land first mentioned in Greek guidebook in A.D. 100
• Rulers take control of areas around Blue Nile and
Red Sea
• Dynasty of Aksum rules until 1975; ends with death
of Haile Selassie
Image
Continued . . .
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14. Aksum Controls International Trade
SECTION 3
continued The Rise of the Kingdom of Aksum
Aksum Controls International Trade
• Aksum is hub for caravan routes to Egypt and
Meroë
• Adulis, chief port, has access to Mediterranean
Sea, Indian Ocean
A Strong Ruler Expands the Kingdom
• King Ezana—strong ruler of Aksum from A.D. 325 to
360
• He conquers part of Arabian peninsula, now Yemen
• In 350 conquers Kushites and burns Meroë to
ground
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15. An International Culture Develops
SECTION 3
An International Culture Develops
Aksum Culture
• Blended cultural traditions of Arab peoples and
Kushites
• Adulis population: Egyptian, Arabian, Greek,
Roman, Persian, Indian
• Greek is international language; Aksumites trade
gold to Rome
Aksumite Religion
• Believe in one god, Mahrem, and that king
descended from him
• Are animists—worship spirits of nature and
ancestors
• Exposed to Christianity by traders
Continued . . .
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16. Aksum Becomes Christian
SECTION 3
continued An International Culture Develops
Aksum Becomes Christian
• Young King Ezana educated by Christian man
from Syria
• As ruler, Ezana declares Christianity as
kingdom’s official religion
• Aksum, now part of Ethiopia, still home to millions
of Christians
Image
Aksumite Innovations
• Written language, minted coins, irrigation canals and
dams
• Aksumites invent terrace farming due to hilly
location
• Terraces—steplike ridges constructed on mountain
slopes
Image
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17. The Fall of Aksum Islam Islamic Invaders Aksum Isolated
SECTION 3
The Fall of Aksum
Islam
• Aksum kingdom lasts 800 years; witnesses rise of
Islam religion
• Followers of prophet Muhammad conquer all of
Arabia by 632
Islamic Invaders
• Between A.D. 632 and 710, Islamic invaders leave
Aksum alone
• In A.D. 710, they attack port city of Adulis, causing
Aksum’s decline
Aksum Isolated
• As Islam spreads, Aksum rulers move capital to
northern Ethiopia
• Isolation, soil erosion, deforestation cause loss of
remaining power
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