forestlands-coastal & central africa: benin few records of southern forest & sudanic...
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Forestlands-Coastal & Central Africa:
Benin•Few records of southern forest & Sudanic savannah kingdoms•Benin=best example•Edo speakers•Practiced patrilineal primogenitureauthority is age-based•Village was political unit (BELOW: Benin City)•Kingdom originated by neighboring Ife prince•Edo King called oba, Ife ruler called uzama
Benin
• King Ewuare brought Benin to importance in 15th centurybuilt capital, est. government with chiefs & council, wars of expansion
• Over time obas became religious rather than military rulers
• Obas chosen by uzamas
Benin Art• Lasting significance lies in
court artbrass, bronze, terra-cotta, ivory sculptures
• LEFT:The Oba was considered to be divine & serves as the link between the spiritual and the physical realms. The Oba was often symbolized by the mudfish, a creature able to leave the water & survive on land as well as deliver an electric shock.
Europeans arrive on the Coast
• Trade with Europe & Americas characterizes 1500-1800
• Europeans name coastal regions and import American food crops
Europeans in Sengambia• In west Africa, 1st region
affected by European trade• Near Sengal & Gambia rivers• Maritime trade in gold, salt,
cotton, hides & copper• 1/3 of all Africa slaves
exported during the 16th century came from Senegambia (focus shifts SE)
• Region came to be dominated by Portuguese & British (Gamia River) & French (Senegal River)
Europeans on the Gold Coast
• After 1500, outlet for gold
• After 1600, European companies built forts to protect trade
• Traded in gold, kola nuts, brought American maize & cassava
• Slavery not big business until late 17th century, then disrupted mining Gold Coast
Europeans in Central Africa• Swamps north, rain
forests west, highlands east, deserts southimpeded trade & contact until 1500
• Portuguese looked for gold & silver, took ivory, palm cloth & slaves for sugar plantations on nearby island, Sao Thomé & Brazil
• In 1640s Dutch traders brought slaves to Caribbean
Europeans in Kongo
• Major state that dealt with Portuguese in central Africa
• Located on fertile Zaire River valley
• Kingdom based on tax & tribute, divine king
• By 1600 ½ size England (weaving, pottery, salt, fish, metals)
• Traded for luxury textiles, tobacco, alcohol from north for slaves
• Portuguese did proselytize @ 1st then focused on slavery alone
Kongo• Early 16th century Kongo ruler King
Affonso I was a Christian convert who welcomed Jesuit missionaries (BELOW: his baptism)
• Tried to curb exploitative slaving practices by corresponding with Portuguese king
• Lost ½ empire to slavery local leaders dealt with Portuguese traders directly
• Struggle for authority led to fragmentation of empire & withdrawal of Portuguese
• Revival in 17th century of strong Christian monarchs
Angola
• 1575 became 1st white colonial enterprise in black Africa
• Portuguese tried & failed to colonize & “civilize” region (Dutch briefly interested)
• Heavy slaving depopulation, trade in American goods
• Relationship devastated the region
• Angola finally independent in 1975