1. States and Societies of Sub-Saharan Africa
Chapter 18

2. 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

3. 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)

4. 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)

5. 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

6. 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

8. II: Empire of Mali Successor state with decline of Ghana
Sundiata (r ) 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

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

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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

13. 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.)

14. 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

15. 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

16. 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