Africa in the Postclassical Era: the S b S h R iSub-Saharan Region

The Bantu** Migrations ( 3000BCE 1000CE)(c.3000BCE-c.1000CE)

• Encouraged byEncouraged by population pressures

• Spread agriculture, p g ,herding, and iron technology

• Absorbed hunter-gatherers

• Language differentiation

Austronesian MigrationAustronesian Migration

• Via Indian OceanVia Indian Ocean• Colonization of

Madagascarg• Bananas!!

Growth of KingdomsGrowth of Kingdoms

Christianity in Africa: Axum**Christianity in Africa: Axum

The Spread of IslamThe Spread of Islam

West Africa: Ghana**West Africa: Ghana

West Africa: Kingdom of Ghana**West Africa: Kingdom of Ghana

• First emerged c.4thgcentury CE

• Transformed by Islam• World’s largest gold

supplyC i l t f• Commercial center of West Africa

• Leaders convert to• Leaders convert to Islam

• Koumbi-Saleh**

West Africa: Mali**West Africa: Mali

Kingdom of Mali**Kingdom of Mali

• Built by SundiataBuilt by Sundiata• Controlled and taxed

trade• Islam adopted• Mansa Musa**:Mansa Musa :

pilgrimage to Mecca

Mansa Musa

Mali (cont )Mali (cont.)

Mosque at Jenne Mosque at Timbuktu

East Africa: Trade and IslamEast Africa: Trade and Islam

East Africa: Swahili** CultureEast Africa: Swahili Culture

• “coasters”coasters• Blend of Bantu and

Arabic languagesg g• Establish first trading

contacts with Muslim merchants

• Trade as impetus to political growth

East Africa: Kingdom of KilwaEast Africa: Kingdom of Kilwa

East Africa: Kingdom of Zi b b **Zimbabwe**

• Zimbabwe: chief’sZimbabwe: chief s dwelling . . .

• Controlled & taxed trade btw. Interior and coast

• Shaped by Islam

Great Zimbabwe ruinsGreat Zimbabwe ruins

Africa in the Postclassical: Key TTerms

• Bantu • SwahiliBantu• Axum• Ghana

Swahili• Zimbabwe

Ghana• Koumbi-Saleh• Mali• Mali• Mansa Musa