african civilizations: c. 800-1600 ce aim: to learn about several major civilizations of the african...
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African Civilizations: African Civilizations: c. 800-1600 c. 800-1600 CECE
AIM: To learn about several major AIM: To learn about several major civilizations of the African continent civilizations of the African continent
in the age before in the age before colonizationcolonization..
3 Big Ideas About Africa, pre-1600:3 Big Ideas About Africa, pre-1600:
The continent became part of the global trade The continent became part of the global trade network through West & East African trading network through West & East African trading states.states.
African peoples were introduced to Islam.African peoples were introduced to Islam.
African people maintained traditions around African people maintained traditions around their village, family, and religious belief (s). their village, family, and religious belief (s).
Basic Geography of AfricaBasic Geography of Africa
Second largest continent on Earth, after Second largest continent on Earth, after ________________
Much of Africa is made up of Much of Africa is made up of savannasavanna—or —or ________________.________________.
A large part of Africa is also desert—including A large part of Africa is also desert—including the _________, the world’s largest desert.the _________, the world’s largest desert.
__________ run along the Equator in central __________ run along the Equator in central Africa.Africa.
Fertile farmland is scattered throughout the Fertile farmland is scattered throughout the continent—although __________ are a continent—although __________ are a persistent problem in places (i.e. Somalia).persistent problem in places (i.e. Somalia).
Natural ResourcesNatural Resources
Natural ResourcesNatural Resources
Africa is filled with many natural resources Africa is filled with many natural resources that are traded worldwide: oil (i.e. Nigeria is that are traded worldwide: oil (i.e. Nigeria is the 11the 11thth largest producer of crude oil in the largest producer of crude oil in the world); diamonds (i.e. especially from South world); diamonds (i.e. especially from South Africa & Botswana); salt; iron; gold; copper; Africa & Botswana); salt; iron; gold; copper; etc.etc.
Government, pre-1600Government, pre-1600
Most African communities traditionally Most African communities traditionally shared…shared…
_________________presented opinions and _________________presented opinions and arguments before everyone else joined in to arguments before everyone else joined in to reach a reach a _____________._____________.
Traditional Society & Culture, pre-Traditional Society & Culture, pre-16001600
GOVERNMENTGOVERNMENT
Most African communities traditionally shared Most African communities traditionally shared power among members of the community power among members of the community rather than having a single leader.rather than having a single leader.
Elders and other respected people presented Elders and other respected people presented opinions and arguments before everyone else opinions and arguments before everyone else joined in to reach a joined in to reach a consensus.consensus.
Family PatternsFamily Patterns
Traditional African societies emphasized the Traditional African societies emphasized the ____________ over the ____________.____________ over the ____________.
Therefore, extended families who descended Therefore, extended families who descended from a common ancestor formed from a common ancestor formed ________, ________, or or a group of people __________________.a group of people __________________.
Family PatternsFamily Patterns
Traditional African societies emphasized the Traditional African societies emphasized the group over the individual. Therefore, extended group over the individual. Therefore, extended families who descended from a common families who descended from a common ancestor formed ancestor formed clans, clans, or a group of people or a group of people united by a common trait or interest.united by a common trait or interest.
Some art from the Smithsonian’s collection at the National Museum of African Art, in D.C.
Yoruba peoples, Ekiti region, NigeriaEarly 20th centurywood, pigment
Baule peoples, Côte d'Ivoire19th centurywood, encrustation
Basic Traditional Religious BeliefsBasic Traditional Religious Beliefs
Many early Africans identified the forces of Many early Africans identified the forces of nature with divine spirits and worshipped nature with divine spirits and worshipped many gods and goddesses, making them many gods and goddesses, making them _____theistic._____theistic.
Many Africans also believed the spirits of their Many Africans also believed the spirits of their departed ancestors were present here on Earth.departed ancestors were present here on Earth.
Animism:Animism:
Some of these early religious beliefs were Some of these early religious beliefs were animisticanimistic. . Today, some people in Africa (and elsewhere around Today, some people in Africa (and elsewhere around the world) are still animistic, but may also combine the world) are still animistic, but may also combine these beliefs with a more formal religion such as these beliefs with a more formal religion such as Christianity [this is called Christianity [this is called syncretismsyncretism].].
AnimismAnimism: The belief in the existence of individual : The belief in the existence of individual spirits that inhabit natural objects and phenomena. spirits that inhabit natural objects and phenomena.
Some of these early African peoples believed Some of these early African peoples believed in one supreme being who was the creator and in one supreme being who was the creator and ruler of the universe. ruler of the universe.
In Botswana, many people have a In Botswana, many people have a totemtotem, or a , or a natural object or animal associated with a natural object or animal associated with a particular family, person, or clan.particular family, person, or clan.
[Do Not Write][Do Not Write]
I was given the totem of a “kwena,”or I was given the totem of a “kwena,”or crocodile. One respects one’s totem and feels crocodile. One respects one’s totem and feels some connection to it, as well.some connection to it, as well.
3 Major Kingdoms of West Africa3 Major Kingdoms of West Africa
3 trading kingdoms of West Africa:3 trading kingdoms of West Africa:
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The Rise and Fall of African The Rise and Fall of African KingdomsKingdoms
Strong African rulers created kingdoms by Strong African rulers created kingdoms by gaining control of the most profitable trade gaining control of the most profitable trade routes.routes.
3 trading kingdoms of West Africa were: 3 trading kingdoms of West Africa were: Ghana, Mali, and Songhai.Ghana, Mali, and Songhai.
Kingdom of ___________Kingdom of ___________
Location:Location:
General facts/history:General facts/history:
Resources/economy/trading:Resources/economy/trading:
Decline:Decline:
Kingdom of Ghana Kingdom of Ghana [from [from www.bbc.co.ukwww.bbc.co.uk]]
800-1000 800-1000 CECE
Despite its name, the old Despite its name, the old Empire of Ghana is not Empire of Ghana is not geographically, ethnically, geographically, ethnically, or in any other way, related or in any other way, related to modern Ghana. It lies to modern Ghana. It lies about four hundred miles about four hundred miles northwest of modern Ghana. northwest of modern Ghana. Ancient Ghana Ancient Ghana encompassed what is now encompassed what is now modern Northern Senegal modern Northern Senegal and Southern Mauritania. and Southern Mauritania.
[Do Not Write][Do Not Write]
Nobody is sure when Ghana came into being. But some time at Nobody is sure when Ghana came into being. But some time at the beginning of the first millennium AD, it is thought that a the beginning of the first millennium AD, it is thought that a number of clans of the Soninke people, (in modern Senegal) number of clans of the Soninke people, (in modern Senegal) came together under a leader with semi-divine status, called came together under a leader with semi-divine status, called Dinga Cisse. Dinga Cisse.
There are different accounts of who he was, but all reports There are different accounts of who he was, but all reports emphasize that he was an outsider who came from afar. It is emphasize that he was an outsider who came from afar. It is likely that this federation of Soninke was formed possibly in likely that this federation of Soninke was formed possibly in response to the attacks of nomadic raiders, who were in turn, response to the attacks of nomadic raiders, who were in turn, suffering from drought, and seeking new territory. Further suffering from drought, and seeking new territory. Further west was the state of Takrur in the Senegal valley. It was west was the state of Takrur in the Senegal valley. It was linked to the north via a coastal route leading to Morocco via linked to the north via a coastal route leading to Morocco via Sjilmasa. Sjilmasa.
The Empire of Ghana derived power and wealth from The Empire of Ghana derived power and wealth from gold. The introduction of the camel in trans-Saharan gold. The introduction of the camel in trans-Saharan trade boosted the amount of goods that could be trade boosted the amount of goods that could be transported. transported.
Most of our knowledge of Ghana comes from Arab Most of our knowledge of Ghana comes from Arab writers. Al-Hamdani, for example, describes Ghana writers. Al-Hamdani, for example, describes Ghana as having the richest gold mines on earth. These were as having the richest gold mines on earth. These were situated at Bambuk, on the upper Senegal River. The situated at Bambuk, on the upper Senegal River. The Soninke also sold slaves, salt and copper, in exchange Soninke also sold slaves, salt and copper, in exchange for textiles, beads and finished goods.for textiles, beads and finished goods.
Muslim merchants brought their religion and ideas Muslim merchants brought their religion and ideas when they settled in the kingdom of Ghana.when they settled in the kingdom of Ghana.
Ghana absorbed Muslim cultural influences, such as Ghana absorbed Muslim cultural influences, such as Arabic writing and Muslim styles of architecture.Arabic writing and Muslim styles of architecture.
Women in Ghana had a high status and played an Women in Ghana had a high status and played an active role in the economic life of the empire.active role in the economic life of the empire.
DeclineDecline
There were a number of reasons for Ghana's There were a number of reasons for Ghana's decline. The King lost his trading monopoly. decline. The King lost his trading monopoly. At the same time drought was beginning to At the same time drought was beginning to have a long term effect on the land and its have a long term effect on the land and its ability to sustain cattle and cultivation. But the ability to sustain cattle and cultivation. But the Empire of Ghana was also under pressure from Empire of Ghana was also under pressure from outside forces. outside forces.
Kingdom of ___________Kingdom of ___________
General history/facts/location:General history/facts/location:
Government:Government:
Trading fact:Trading fact:
Decline:Decline:
Kingdom of MaliKingdom of Mali1200-14501200-1450 CECE
Under Sundiata Keita Under Sundiata Keita (aka Mansa Musa), the (aka Mansa Musa), the most powerful ruler of most powerful ruler of early Mali, the kingdom early Mali, the kingdom extended its borders and extended its borders and dominated West Africa.dominated West Africa.
Mansa Musa ran an Mansa Musa ran an efficient government—efficient government—appointing governors to appointing governors to rule certain areas.rule certain areas.
Mansa Musa converted to Islam and took a Mansa Musa converted to Islam and took a hajjhajj to Mecca. to Mecca.
This hajj had a cultural impact on Mali since This hajj had a cultural impact on Mali since Mansa Musa brought home Muslim scholars Mansa Musa brought home Muslim scholars and artists and forged new trading ties.and artists and forged new trading ties.
Decline [do not write]Decline [do not write]
A combination of weak and ineffective rulers A combination of weak and ineffective rulers and increasingly aggressive raids by Mossi and increasingly aggressive raids by Mossi neighbors and Tuareg Berbers gradually neighbors and Tuareg Berbers gradually reduced the power of Mali. In the east, Gao reduced the power of Mali. In the east, Gao began its ascendancy while remaining part of began its ascendancy while remaining part of the Mali Empire. the Mali Empire.
Malinese cuisine consists mainly of millet, corn, or rice porridges served with a variety of "sauces." These sauces can be made with peanuts, okra, baobab leaves or sweet potato leaves. Meats and vegetables are added to the sauces, which are then served over porridge, couscous or rice
Kingdom of ____________Kingdom of ____________
General history/location:General history/location:
Government:Government:
Government:Government:
Resources/trade:Resources/trade:
Decline:Decline:
Kingdom of SonghaiKingdom of Songhai1450-1600 1450-1600 CECE
Emperor Sonni Ali built Emperor Sonni Ali built Songhai into the largest Songhai into the largest state that had ever state that had ever existed in West Africa.existed in West Africa.
An efficient An efficient bureaucracy bureaucracy governed the kingdom.governed the kingdom.
The Songhai expanded trade to Europe & The Songhai expanded trade to Europe & Asia.Asia.
As in Mali, there was a privileged caste of As in Mali, there was a privileged caste of craftsmen, and slave labor played an important craftsmen, and slave labor played an important role in agriculture. Trade improved under the role in agriculture. Trade improved under the ruler Mohammed Ture Askiya, with gold, kola ruler Mohammed Ture Askiya, with gold, kola nuts and slaves being the main export. nuts and slaves being the main export. Textiles, horses, salt and luxury goods were Textiles, horses, salt and luxury goods were the main imports. the main imports.
DeclineDecline
Civil war broke out in the late 1500s. Invaders Civil war broke out in the late 1500s. Invaders from the north defeated disunited forces of from the north defeated disunited forces of Songhai, leading to the kingdom’s downfall.Songhai, leading to the kingdom’s downfall.
Hausa People: A SynopsisHausa People: A Synopsis
Nubia: A SynopsisNubia: A Synopsis
Hausa peopleHausa people1300s1300s
The Hausa people built The Hausa people built city-states city-states (like early (like early versions of mini-versions of mini-countries) in what later countries) in what later became Nigeria.became Nigeria.
Hausa products made from Hausa products made from cotton and leather cotton and leather traveled on caravans traveled on caravans across the Sahara and across the Sahara and sometimes to Europe.sometimes to Europe.
The Hausa dominated Saharan trade routes by The Hausa dominated Saharan trade routes by the 1500s.the 1500s.
Nubia: 1000Nubia: 1000 BCE- BCE-150 150 CECE
[Do Not Write] When discussing the civilizations of [Do Not Write] When discussing the civilizations of the Nile Valley, many histories focus almost the Nile Valley, many histories focus almost exclusively on the role of Egypt. exclusively on the role of Egypt.
But this approach ignores the emergence further south But this approach ignores the emergence further south on the Nile of… on the Nile of…
[Start Writing…][Start Writing…] … …the kingdom known to the Egyptians as Kush, in the kingdom known to the Egyptians as Kush, in
the region called Nubia - the area now covered by the region called Nubia - the area now covered by southern Egypt and Northern Sudan. southern Egypt and Northern Sudan.
Nubia was rich with minerals such as stones Nubia was rich with minerals such as stones needed for the building of temples and tombs, needed for the building of temples and tombs, and gold, needed for jewelry. Indeed Kush was and gold, needed for jewelry. Indeed Kush was one of the major gold producers of the ancient one of the major gold producers of the ancient world. world.
At one stage Nubia, was occupied by Egypt At one stage Nubia, was occupied by Egypt for about 500 years and then the tables turned. for about 500 years and then the tables turned. From around 850 BCE, the Egyptian state fell From around 850 BCE, the Egyptian state fell into such decline that what became known as into such decline that what became known as the 25th dynasty rose in Nubia, with authority the 25th dynasty rose in Nubia, with authority over all of Egypt. over all of Egypt.
DeclineDecline
Around 350 CE, King Ezana of Axum invaded Around 350 CE, King Ezana of Axum invaded Nubia.Nubia.
East Africa Overview [Do Not East Africa Overview [Do Not Write]Write]
In contrast to North Africa, East Africa was In contrast to North Africa, East Africa was never subject to one wide, sweeping Muslim never subject to one wide, sweeping Muslim takeover. Islam came to the East African coast takeover. Islam came to the East African coast in many waves and at different times. There is in many waves and at different times. There is no single date in the records, but it is thought no single date in the records, but it is thought that Islam had taken root by the 8th century. that Islam had taken root by the 8th century.
[Do Not Write][Do Not Write] The first Muslims came from different directions. Most The first Muslims came from different directions. Most
obviously from the Arab peninsula, which at one point is obviously from the Arab peninsula, which at one point is separated by less than fifty miles of sea from the Horn of separated by less than fifty miles of sea from the Horn of Africa. Africa.
They came from Egypt, where Islam first came to North They came from Egypt, where Islam first came to North Africa, and from Somalia further up the coast, where the port Africa, and from Somalia further up the coast, where the port of Zeila became very important in the 10th century in response of Zeila became very important in the 10th century in response to the political centre of the Muslim world moving from to the political centre of the Muslim world moving from Mecca to Baghdad. And finally Persia; there is a tradition that Mecca to Baghdad. And finally Persia; there is a tradition that the first Muslims came from Shiraz in Persia. They are known the first Muslims came from Shiraz in Persia. They are known as the Shirazis. as the Shirazis.
AXUM: A SynopsisAXUM: A Synopsis
Axum Axum [aka Aksum]: 900 [aka Aksum]: 900 BCEBCE-600 -600 CE CE
sourcesource: encarta.com: encarta.com
Only write points 1 & 3Only write points 1 & 3 AksumAksum, ancient kingdom that flourished in northeastern , ancient kingdom that flourished in northeastern
AfricaAfrica from the 1st century BC until the early 7th century AD. from the 1st century BC until the early 7th century AD. Its capital was the city of Aksum, which lies in the northern Its capital was the city of Aksum, which lies in the northern
part of present-day part of present-day EthiopiaEthiopia. A powerful trading center, . A powerful trading center, Aksum controlled the highlands of northern Ethiopia and the Aksum controlled the highlands of northern Ethiopia and the Red SeaRed Sea coast of present-day coast of present-day EritreaEritrea. .
Culturally, it was closely associated with the people of Culturally, it was closely associated with the people of southern southern ArabiaArabia, who spoke related languages and followed , who spoke related languages and followed similar traditions. Aksumite kings built massive stelae (stone similar traditions. Aksumite kings built massive stelae (stone pillars) to adorn their tombs, and some of these stelae still pillars) to adorn their tombs, and some of these stelae still stand today. stand today.
Traders who had immigrated from Arabia Traders who had immigrated from Arabia mixed with African farmers, thereby mixed with African farmers, thereby introducing Jewish and Christian traditions to introducing Jewish and Christian traditions to Axum.Axum.
Fremnatos—Fremnatos—trader, philosopher, theologian, trader, philosopher, theologian, saintsaint
He introduced Christianity to Axum, after He introduced Christianity to Axum, after supposedly being kidnapped there while on his supposedly being kidnapped there while on his way to India. way to India.
King Ezana learned from Fremnatos and King Ezana learned from Fremnatos and adopted his faith as Axum’s official religion in adopted his faith as Axum’s official religion in 333 333 CECE..
DeclineDecline
Axum declined due to civil war.Axum declined due to civil war.
Great ZimbabweGreat Zimbabwe
Great ZimbabweGreat Zimbabwe, historic city in southern , historic city in southern Africa that was established in the 11th century Africa that was established in the 11th century CE and flourished for about 300 years CE and flourished for about 300 years beginning in the 12th century. At its height the beginning in the 12th century. At its height the city dominated much of the present-day city dominated much of the present-day country of country of ZimbabweZimbabwe. By the end of the 15th . By the end of the 15th century the city had fallen into disuse and was century the city had fallen into disuse and was largely abandoned. largely abandoned.
