Diffusion of Cultures

spread of ideas from central points adaptation of ideas to local needs creative additions

Africa

3 times the size of the U.S. 20% of the earth’s surface grasslands and deserts rainforests: 10% isolated from Europe and Asia ?

Sahara Desert

causes the isolation 5,000 B.C. from grasslands to desert

– 10-50 times as much rainfall as now– gradual drying

splits sub-Saharan Africa from Mediterranean and Near East

Africa

short sea coast– 1/3 of Europe

few navigable rivers

Early History: Agriculture and Iron may have developed independently in

Africa most likely: diffusion

– Egypt– Middle East

Climate change

drying Sahara pushed people south ancestors of blacks of Africa hunting and gathering groups settling near lakes and rivers

Agriculture

reached them from the Near East first domesticated crops from Near East

– not Africa– but through Egypt and Ethopia

soon domesticated their own crops cattle, sheep and horses from Asia

– camel introduced about 100 A.D.

Iron working

from Asia– through Carthage and Egypt

technology shift = social changes– iron tools and iron weapons

Egyptian influence

New Kingdom Kush

– the modern Sudan and nearby areas

Kush

southern part of the Nile first African state after Egypt with an

historical record emerged as an independent kingdom,

1000 B.C. strongly influenced by Egyptian ideas

Kush, con’t

expansion south by 730 B.C. more diverse African population weakening Egyptian influence iron-working technology

– spread to other parts of Africa

Kush, con’t

writing system, based on Egyptian hieroglyphics

strong monarchy (king as god) extensive, sub-Saharan trade capital: Meroe

– pharaohs of Egypt at one point 250 B.C. to 50 A.D.

Axum

replaced Meroe 300 A.D. Christian kingdom, post 350 A.D.

– monasteries and churches– connections with King Solomon

Ethopian highlands influence from Arabia

Axum, con’t

immigration from Arabia writing system, based on Arabian Semitic language rulers also spoke Greek controlled Red Sea and Horn of Africa

Influences

series of successive kingdoms each further south spreading technology and culture

The Bantu Dispersal

migrations of proto-Bantu people spread of agriculture and iron

– from Eastern Nigeria– that is, West Africa

cause?– over population– climate shift

Bantus, con’t

most sub-Saharan languages are Bantu migration

– peaceful?– conquest?

time-frame: app. 1000 years– to cover most of the continent

Original Culture

farming and fishing goats and cattle villages organized along kinship ties villages led by a council of elders

Meanwhile, back to Axum...

defeated leaders of Meroe move west established kingdoms

Ghana

old and powerful controlled the gold and salt trade adopted Islam: 985 A.D.

– generated further conversion to the west posperous conquered by Berbers and Tuaregs

Mali

successor state fell heir to most of the territory and

commericial enterprises of Ghana

Japan

four main islands volcanic little arable land primary food: rice population on the coastal plains

Japan

few natural resources mild climate on most islands great natural beauty

Migrations

around 5000 B.C. from Asia: Korea and Manchuria also from South Asia and Polynesia

Earliest culture

Jomon hunters and gatherers lived in pit houses earliest pottery the Ainu: earliest people

Main influence

China language and culture but institutions are adapted and

simplifed more compatible with Japan

Example

writing system boost to intellectual activity and political complexity

Another Example

Buddhism– influencing both religion and art

blends with Shinto– the indigenous religion

Political structure by 400 A.D.

hundreds of clans warrior aristocracy 90% of population: peasants

Social structure

rigid social distinctions clothing and personal decorations as

status symbols strong position of women

– shamans– leaders of clans– empersses

Creation Epic

sun goddess Amaterasu becomes Shinto religion gods, demons, spirits, etc.

Yamato Clan

developed the imperial cult around Amatersau and Shinto

gradually extends political control by war and diplomancy

Continuing trade with China

introduction of Buddhism officially adopted by the Yamato clan in

580’s monks contributed to the growth of

learning and political structures

Yamato rulers

proclaimed emperors by 7th century emperors of the Rising Sun encouraged a merchant class

– introduction of new techniques– introduction of Chinese medicine:

beneficial to all classes\ controversy over foreign influences

Polynesia

peopled by migrations out of Asia during the late Neolithic period lasting several thousand years

Polynesia, con’t

30 different languages Austronesian language group not the first immigrants 4000 years ago

First inhabitants

dark skinned settled in New Guinea and Australia 38,000 years ago Australian aborigines

– the Dream Time

Great Migrations

big, double-hulled canoes island to island sophisticated navigation

Hawaii

as “paradise” eight major islands

– volcanic– tropical climate– considerable wildlife, most hunted to

extinction

Hawaii, con’t

settled in two major waves beginning 300 A.D. good soil support a large population 700,000 people by 1700’s

Settlement patterns

no towns or cities small villages along the coast divided islands into wedge-shaped

territories controlled by powerful families

– power of chiefs was absolute– few constraints on their behavior

Social classes

commoner supported the culture viewed as virtually a separate people subject to all sorts of taboos

– violation meant death life highly ritualized

– including human sacrifice

New Zealand

not “paradise” two major islands not tropical, not particularly fertile 200,000 people by 1700’s

Early Settlement

few edible plants animals: bats, birds, people fishing and some crops

Maori Culture

tribal subdivided into village-groups: hapu land owned communally

– distributed by a council each village leader a great warrior

Maori Society

lived by war fought regularly and seasonally proof of manhood legitimized positions of chiefs defeated enemies were eaten