1. Africa

2. AFRICA
Objective
- The student will understand the major African kingdoms, as well as their contribution to the continent as a whole.

3. A Satellite View

4. Africa’s Size Second largest continent  11,700,000 sq. mi.
M I L E S
M I L E S
Second largest continent  11,700,000 sq. mi.
10% of the world’s population.
2 ½ times the size of the U. S.

5. The Mighty Nile River: “Longest River in the World”

6. Desertification

7. The Sahel

8. Great Rift Valley
3,000 miles long

9. Vegetation Zones

10. African Rain Forest Annual rainfall of up to 17 ft.
Rapid decomposition (very humid).
Covers 37 countries.
15% of the land surface of Africa.

11. The Complete Topography Of AFRICA
Mediterranean Sea
Atlas Mts.
Libyan Desert
The
Complete
Topography Of
AFRICA
Tropic of Cancer 20° N
Sahara Desert
Red Sea
Sahel
Nile River
Niger River
L. Chad-->
Great Rift Valley
<--Gulf of Aden
L. Albert-->
Equator 0°
Δ Mt. Kenya
Congo River
L. Victoria
Δ Mt. Kilimanjaro
L. Tanganyika->
Indian Ocean
Ruwenzori Mts.
Atlantic Ocean
Zambezi River
Namib Desert
Kalahari Desert
Limpopo River
Tropic of Capricorn 20° S
Orange River
Drajensburg Mts.
Pacific Ocean

12. Ancient Civilizations of West Africa

13. The Nok and Bantu
Unlike many regional centers of civilized society, West Africa was greatly influenced by the diffusion of technology from Trans-Saharan trade mainly from North Africa.
The first peoples to develop societies in West Africa were the Nok who benefited by the diffusion of innovations such as iron-smelting.
Archeological evidence seems to suggest the peoples in this region moved from stone to iron sometime around 500 B.C.E. and most evidence points to diffusion of technology.

14. Bantu Migrations
The most prominent event in Sub-Saharan Africa during ancient times were the migrations of the Bantu-speaking peoples and the establishment of agricultural societies in regions where Bantu speakers settled.
Just as Sudanese agriculture spread to the Nile and provided an economic foundation for the development of many African societies, it also spread to most other regions of Africa south of the Sahara and supported the emergence of distinct agricultural societies.

15. The Bantu
Located initially in the lower Niger Valleys, the Bantu began to migrate from West Africa spreading their language, knowledge of iron production, and their experience with settled tropical agriculture.
Between 500 B.C.E. to 500 C.E., this migration would move Bantu innovations and inherited innovations throughout central Africa and onto to southern Africa.

16. The Bantu and the Nok
Neither the Nok nor the Bantu, created urban centers in West Africa.
The first urban settlement is believed to be at Djenne-djeno site settlement around 250 B.C.E.

17. Djenne-Djeno
Djenne-Djeno is believed to be the first indigenous sub-Saharan city.
The use of iron and traditional fishing and herding allowed the city to grow to its peak around 900 C.E.
Unlike other areas of settlement, Djenne-Djeno was a centrally occupied area with a large fortified wall and smaller settlements in the interior.
The size of the city apparently grew to over 50,000 inhabitants.

18. Djenne-Djeno
The creation of Djenne-Djeno may not have been built as a religious center but it appears that its inhabitants Believed in ancestor worship and a well defined familial residential style also developed.
It appeared that the husband/father lived in one large central hut while each wife occupied adjacent huts.
The main endeavor of Djenne-Djeno was trade.

19. Djenne-Djeno
The population at Djenne-Djeno lived in neighboring clusters that were functionally independent.
No single urban center, monumental architecture, no hierarchical social structure, no strong central authority
It appears Djenne-Djeno experienced relative equality and cooperation from its citizens rather than competition
Disappeared with little answers but may have held the key to an alternative urban settlement pattern.

20. Ancestors

21. Traditional African Society

22. Rise of the Kingdom of Aksum East Africa
Kingdom of Aksum Located on a Rugged Plateau on the Red Sea
Ancestors Traced Back to King Solomon and the Queen of Sheba
Known to Have Interactions with the Greeks & Conquered Lands Bordering the Red Sea & the Nile
Due to Locations of Lands the Kingdom of Aksum Became an Important Trading Center

23. Rise of the Kingdom of Aksum East Africa
Adulis: Chief Seaport of Aksum Developed into an International Trading Power
Ezana: Occupied the Throne in 350 A.D. when the Kingdom of Aksum Conquered the Kushites
Aksum Established Christianity and a Unique Architecture

24. Fall of the Kingdom of Aksum East Africa
Aksum's Cultural & Technological Achievements Allowed it to Last for 800 Years
Kingdom Begins to Decline Under Islamic Invaders
Invaders Destroy Adulis in 710 A.D., thus Weakening Aksum's Ability to Remain a Trading Power

25. Traditional Family Structures
Nuclear Family: C H W W C C U Cs GP C C
Extended Family: C H W W C C GP Cs A

26. Traditional African Religion
ANIMISM
1. Belief in one remote Supreme Being.
2. A world of spirits (good & bad) in all things.
3. Ancestor veneration.
4. Belief in magic, charms, and fetishes.
5. Diviner  mediator between the tribe and God.

27. Common Traits or Characteristics of Traditional African Tribal Life
The good of the group comes ahead of the good of the individual.
All land is owned by the group.
Strong feeling of loyalty to the group.
Important ceremonies at different parts of a person’s life.
Special age and work associations.
Deep respect for ancestors.
Religion is an important part of everyday life.
Government is in the hands of the chiefs [kings].

28. World of the Spirits
Dogon “Spirit House”

29. West Africa after 700 C.E.
In West Africa, the first known cities, such as Timbuktu, Jenne, and Mopti, along the Niger River, and Ife and Igbo Ikwu near the tropical coasts, it seems were built as centers of trade.
These centers would continue to be built upon Trans-Saharas trade in Salt, gold, Spices, millet, and other items.
Creating the later Ghana, Mali, and Songhi Kingdoms from 1100 C.E.

30. Summary
Due to the Geography of the Continent the People of African Never Became a Unified Group
This Led to Africa being a Splintered Continent, Which Resulted in Fragmentation of Cultures