Kush Civilization

• Ag revolution leads to civilizations -7000-8000 yrs ago.

• Trade between Egypt and Nubia• Kush civilization rose-> Nubia becoming

independent of Egypt…becomes Kush 1000BC.• Kush take over Egypt-fall eventually to Assyrians• important trade centre for India, Arabia,

Romans

Kush

Kush Cont.

• Society based on farming…becomes trade center

• Important trade center in Meroe-land route to N crosses Nile here

• Kushites use Iron Ore-> traded and made iron weapons and tools to trade

• Kush trade: Iron, Gold, Ivory, Ebony, Slaves• Trade w/ Roman Empire, Arabia, India

Axum Empire-(book pg.238)

• Modern day Ethiopia..founded by Arabs• Combined Arab and African culture• Geography->prosperity…On Red Sea, along

Mediterranean Route for India• Export: Ivory, Frankincense, Myrhh, Slaves• Imports: textiles, metal goods, wine, olive oil• Tension-Muslims located on NW coast of

Africa..also along Red Sea

Axum cont.

• Competes w/ Kush for control of Ivory trade• King Ezana eventually conquers Kush in 4th

century.• Official religion was Christianity Est. by King

Ezana• Islam eventually brought challenges to Axum– Islam rises in 622

Rise of Islam

• Islam rise 622 AD• 641 Arab forces capture Egypt• Arabs rule N Africa coast to strait of Gibraltar• Muslim states along Red Sea• Relationship w/ Christian Axum is peaceful• 12th century Muslim states moved inland to

control trade– Muslim traders had significant impact on N Africa

Kingdom of Ghana

• 1st great trade state in W. Africa-500 AD• Upper Niger River Valley• Local rule w/ villages…form kingdom of Ghana• Kings rule w/ no law…had vast wealth• Well trained army makes for enormous trade

empire

Ghana cont.

• People of Ghana often traded Gold for Salt– Preserved food, improved taste, hydration

• Exports: gold, iron ore, ivory, hides, slaves…to Mediterranean markets.

• Imports: Metal goods, textiles, horses, salt• Trade by the Berbers: “fleet’s of Desert”– Camels crucial trade factor– Caravans: groups of camels travel together for trade– Kings wealth: tax imports and exports

Kingdom of Mali

• Ghana starts to collapse in 1100’s..Mali rise 1240

• From Atlantic to Timbuktu– Leader Sundata Keita…defeats Ghana in 1240– Wealth on Gold and Salt trade– Farming society: Sorghum, Millet, Rice– Villages w/ Local rule-religious and administrative

leaders– Tax sent from village leader to king

Mali cont.

• Mansa (king) Musa-rule from 1312 to 1337– Devout Muslim– Doubles size of Mali Kingdom...powerful leader.

• Creates strong central govt..Kingdom divided into provinces.

• Governors appointed• Timbuktu becomes center of Islamic learning…major

trade center as well.• Mali attracts religious leaders, scholars.• Civil war ends Mali in 1359

Kingdom of Songhai

• Songhai rises along Niger…East of Timbuktu.• Dia first dynasty….est. 1009– Gao-chief trade center…links W Africa, N Africa,

Arabia– Sunni Ali creates Sunni dynasty in 1464…– Defends and expands territory…conquers

Timbuktu and Jenne.

Songhai cont.

• Sunni Ali conquest of Jenne and Timbuktu – Gives Songhai trade power which helped Ghana

and Mali prosper.• Ali controls Govt of Songhai as well– Unites rural city dwellers w/ differing interests

under one Govt.

Songhai Cont.

• Muhammad Ture-Devout Muslim, Military Commander-seizes power in 1493– Creates Askia dynasty

• Continues to expand…Songhai at its peak during Ture reign.

• Divides Songhai into provinces• Chief cities prosper w/ expanding Salt and Gold

trade• Sognhai declines by 1600……Morocco occupies

Swahili

• Mixed African/Arabian culture arises.• Muslim religion and Arabic architecture

become part of African society• Swahili language arises as well– African Bantu trade w/ Arabic people. – Language mixes both Bantu and Arabic– Allows communication and trade– Swahili language spreads N and W w/ Ivory and

Slave trade. E.g CULTURAL DIFFUSION!

Swahili Primary language region

Societies in South Africa

• Stateless societies through 11th century AD-independent villages organized by clans….local ruler or Clan head

• States developed more slowly to the South• Gradual unification• Zimbabwe most powerful region from 1300-1450– Prospered from gold trade w/ Swahili communities on

E coast of Africa– Great Zimbabwe capital– Great Enclosure: dominates site of Great Zimbabwe

Great Enclosure (purpose unknown)