Early Civilizations in

Africa-Anthony Daniel Mickunas

World History PresentationDay A, Period III

January 22, 2013

The Inside Story

The Storyteller Djeli Mamoudou Kaouyate tells a

story of a great warrior. He tells of the warrior full of

strength, the strength of ten men and his biceps caused fear.

This is an example of a story that was passed down orally by storytellers.

These story tellers were called GRIOTS.

They memorized the tales of kings and deeds. They passed down stories through the generations.

Griot

The Geography of

Africa Africa is more than

three times the size of the United States.

There is a huge variety of climates and vegetation.

Because of this many different cultures and traditions of life were developed.

There are plains that run all across Africa, there

are vast plateaus, or high plains. These plateaus cover a lot of Africa’s central

and interior. East of this is the GREAT RIFT VALLEY, region of

deep valleys, and narrow lakes. Along the coast, the land drops off into coastal

plains. These coastal plains are fertile, while others are

desert, swamp, or sandy beaches.

Landforms

Climate and Vegetation

Desert & Savanna The Sahara desert dominates North

africa stretching from 3,000 miles east to west and from 800 to 1,200 miles north to south.

In the desert, the temperature can be above a stunning 120 degrees Fahrenheit. There is very little rain in this desert.

Many rivers flood South of the Sahara including the Congo, Zambezi, and Niger river. This is the Sahel region.

South of this is the savanna, which is an open grassland extending east from Central Africa before wrapping back toward the south.

Adapting to Africa’s EnvironmentThe first people to live in Africa were forced to adapt to the harsh climate including poor

water supplies, poor soil, and too little or too much rainfall.Parasites were also a huge problem in the tropical areas.

Mosquitoes transmitted many different diseases to humans. Flies did this as well.Areas that are inhabited by the tsetse fly are unsuitable for settlement.

In early history, the Africans were hunter-

gatherers. 9,000 years ago, approximately, the Africans began to farm.

The Sahara used to be very wet until around 5,000 years ago when the climate changed and it became drier.

Many people practiced herding and mixed farming by 2500 B.C.

Early Farming Societies

Social Structures

African societies developed village-based cultures that were built around clans, or families with common ancestors.

They valued their family very highly. All family members were to be loyal to the clan.

These family members could include parents, children, and other close relatives.

In some places they had a group called age-sets. Men and women were expected to help each other if they were the same age, gender separated though.

Elders taught traditions to younger people in their cultures.

Religion and Culture

Animism They shared similar beliefs. They shared news and food with

one another, and families marked certain places as sacred. These traditions were practiced because they hoped the spirits would protect them.

Many Africans practiced ANIMISM.

Animism is the belief that bodies of water, animals, and trees have spirits.

Iron TechnologyAfricans produced tools and weapons that were way better than before.

These tools and weapons were constructed from iron.They were able to cut down trees, clear land, and grow more food with these tools.

The Bantu Migrations

Bantu :) A number of different groups in Africa

spoke languages that were related to each other.

There were many different languages that were based off of the one language called Proto-Bantu.

These Bantu-speaking people migrated east and south.

They acquired skills with iron working and helped spread the new technology.

The Bantu-speaking people became dominant groups in Southern Africa as well.

Around 900 AD, the Bantu-speaking people developed complex social systems.

Bantu Migrations ;)

Judaism Zaphronism Animism Wicca

What was a main religion in Africa?

How does Africa’s Diverse geography shape

life on the continent? The different climates affect the different types

of peoples such as nomads, farmers, and hunters.

How large is Africa in comparison to the United States? Africa is 3 times the size of the United States of

America, otherwise known as the USA.

Questions

What sort of people might inhabit the Sahel?

Farmers would inhabit the Sahel because of its lush forests and trees.

Which region of Africa experiences a mostly mild climate? Near the equator and Madagascar would

experience mostly mild climates.

More Questions

How might pastoralism have developed before

farming in some areas? It could have developed before with the care of

different animals and the training of camels, goats, cattle, yaks, llamas, and sheep.

What cultural patterns did Africa’s early societies share? They developed village based structures. Family

ties were extremely important. Loyalty to the clan was crucial. These were similar in Africa’s early societies.

Questions Again

Name two groups whose loyal ties helped

people of a village work together. The Age-Sets were two groups, set between

Men and women of different ages who helped each other, and were loyal, building up the village.

What happened to pastoralists of the Sahara 5,000 years ago? Why did this happen? The pastoralists of the Sahara left 5,000 years

ago because the Sahara became a desert.

Questions

What were some religious beliefs of many early

Africans? Animism was a belief of many early Africans. It is

the belief in animal spirits. Why were oral traditions important in early Africa?

Why were oral traditions important in early Africa? Oral traditions were important because they were

passed down the ages through Griots. They were important because they taught the younger generation.

More

What major changes affected societies during

Africa’s Iron Age? Iron tools were developed and they greatly helped

agriculture. And made major affects on society. When was iron technology discovered in West

Africa? It was discovered in the 500s B.C.

How did the use of iron implements change the lives of early Africans? They were now able to cut down trees, clear land,

and develop more food.

Q

Shlomo Pestcoe, Griot. 2/01/09. http://

www.shlomomusic.com/banjoancestors_griotlutesorigin.htm Maps of World, Media Kit 2012, Map of Africa. http://

www.mapsofworld.com/physical-map/africa.htm Science Daily, Sahara Desert. http://

www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091111115843.htm African Savanna. savannainafrica.wordpress.com Futurity, Anopheles Gambiae.

http://www.futurity.org/science-technology/infect-mosquito-watch-genes-respond/ Education Abroad, Ghana. http://

www.hunter.cuny.edu/educationabroad/programs/short-term-programs/all-winter-2012-13-programs-1/ghana-the-african-experience

Wikepedia, Animism. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Animism Just Answer, Iron Tools. http://

www.justanswer.com/antiques/57jm7-brother-couple-pieces-ancient-african-artifact.html

History Haven, Bantu Migrations. http://www.historyhaven.com/APWH/unit2/africa_and_its_golden_age_of_emp.htm

Citations