1. African Civilizations Culturally, the term African makes about as much sense as “Eurasian” White racism and Afrocentrism continue to make understanding African history a challenge. Social and governmental arrangements can be discerned

2. Map of Africa

3. NOK Culture Centered in Nigeria Bronze Metallurgy; then Iron Terra Cotta Sculpture Social arrangements and language spread by ongoing Bantu Migration—spread to central and south Africa

5. Bantu Migration

6. West Africa—3 Empires Ghana (ca. 300-1100)) Mali (1230-1415) Songhay (1450-1591)

7. West African Empires

8. Ghana Established by Sonike people Kumbi Saleh was capital city Kingship was a matrilineal, hereditary monarchy King was also chief judge Local Chieftans paid tribute to central government Salt, Gold, Copper, and Slave trade provide economic foundation

9. Collapse of Ghana Internal divisions Religious divisions—Almoravids (Berbers) converted to Islam and waged war against its Infidel (non-Muslim) government.

10. Mali A hegemonic state Linguistic and cultural divisions (Senegal), (Mande), (Gao) Founded by Sundjata (1230-1255), who introduced cultivation and weaving of cotton. Mansa Musa (1312-1337) was greatest ruler

11. Mansa Musa Devoted Muslim Pilgrimage to Mecca Timbuktu was leading commercial and intellectual center

12. Catalan Atlas

13. Mali Art

14. Songhay Sonni Ali (1464-1492) made Songhay a true empire; he expelled the Berbers Askia Muhammed (1493-1528) conquered Mali and expanded empire; relied on Muslim bureaucrats to Islamicize his empire

15. Zimbabwe (1300-1500) Vast State in Southern Africa No Muslim influence European Racism blinded European scholars to its existence—physical remains of civilization were said to be work of Whites who had entered continent.

16. Great Zimbabwe—Capital City

17. Great Zimbabwe Map

18. Features of Capital 1800 Acres of highly developed area 18,000 inhabitants Pottery from China found among remains of city

19. Islam in Africa Came to North Africa in 650 Spread through Mali to west Africa Spread into Ethiopia around 1000 Religious unity/division Writing (Arabic) Education

20. DJENNE MOSQUE (West Africa)

21. European Contact W/ Sub- Saharan Africa Initially, the Europeans incorporated Africa commerce into its nexus of trade “Discovery” of Americas led Europeans to exploit and expand Africa’s slave trade and to rely on Africa for laborers.