African civilizations-sub-Saharan west
and east Africa Trade- economic, cultural, and religious
influences States and empires flourished in Africa
during the medieval period: Ghana, Mali, and Songhai in west Africa, Axum in east Africa, and Zimbabwe in southeastern Africa
Introduction
South of Egypt between first cataract and fork of Nile
Location
language religion culture and clothing
Adoption of Egyptian culture
Ethiopian Highlands and the Nile River Conquered Kush and northern Ethiopia Located on trade routes
Location
Religion initially polytheistic with nature spirits Converted to Christianity
Christian kingdom
Zambezi and
Limpopo rivers and the Indian Ocean coast
Location
City of “Great Zimbabwe”-capital of a
prosperous empire-Became economic, political, & religious center
Controlled trade routes Adopted Islam
Great Zimbabwe
West African Kingdoms
Ghana, Mali, and
Songhai empires (Niger River and the Sahara)
gold and salt (trans-Saharan trade)
Introduction
Central western Africa-North of Niger river and
South of Saharan desert
Location
Gold (between Niger and Senegal rivers) Salt (region lacked salt) from Saharan desert Established trans-Saharan trade routes from
North Africa to sub-Saharan Africa
Gold for Salt trade
Spread – through trade Conversion-rulers and upper class converted
Islamic influences
animism – spirits living in plants, animals, &
natural forces influenced daily life observed by lower classes
Polytheistic Beliefs
South of Sahara, Southern border both sides of
Niger river
Location
Mali built wealth on gold and found new
deposits to the east
Gold-salt trade
Controlled salt trade Divided empire into
provinces and appointed governors
Mansa Musa
Mansa Musa went on Hajj spread Islam throughout region
Effects of Hajj
became important city center of trade and learning
Timbuktu
South of Saharan desert, Southern border
both sides of Niger river, Furthest east along Niger river
Location
Continued trade and spread of Islam across
Sahara
Gold for salt trade
Kush Aksum Zimbabw
eGhana Mali Songhai
Location
Religion
Trade
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