AFRICA

Find Your 8 Clock Buddies

Did You Know? 2 nd largest continent in the world One-fifth of Earth’s land surface Earliest evidence of human beings

Africa’s Geography

Environmental Challenge #1: DESERTS: – –Sahara (North Africa) – –Kalahari (South Africa) The Geography of Africa The Geography of Africa

The Geography of Africa Environmental Challenge #2: RAIN FOREST: Uninhabitable Breeding ground for insects and disease

Positive Environmental Factor: SAVANNA: Grassy plains; 2 dry seasons & 2 rainy seasons per year Support abundant agricultural production The Geography of Africa The Geography of Africa

 In what ways does America show cultural blending?  What might people say about the pros and cons of cultural blending?

Lesson Objective Today, we’re going to examine how African societies were shaped by the cultures with which they interacted.

I.Early humans adapt to their environments A.The first humans in Africa were hunter- gatherers. B.Around 10,000 B.C., they learned how to plant and domesticate animals.

II.Early societies in West Africa A.Family was most important unit of society (extended family) B.Believed that one god created the world; included animism (belief that plants, animals, and other natural forces all have spirits) C.Relied on oral storytelling than writing to pass on traditions of their people

CLOCK BUDDY #2  Have you ever had to move?  If so, discuss reasons for the move(s).  Consider why you had to leave where you were and why you ended up where you did.

III.People on the Move A.Three main causes for migration: environmental change, economic pressure, or political and religious persecution B.Push-pull factors: reasons people move into or out of an area

IV.Massive Migrations A.Many African languages developed from the parent language Proto-Bantu.

B.The speakers are known as the Bantu- speaking peoples (lived in modern day Nigeria). 1.The Bantu-speaking peoples migrated south and east and spread throughout Africa south of the Sahara Desert. 2.They brought their language and cultures with them.

C.Reasons for the migration: 1.Style of farming (slash and burn) 2.Successful farming led to overpopulation

Clock Buddy #3 How have you seen religion shape/change/affect some of the societies we’ve talked about? Consider the religions we’ve learned: Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism, Zoroastrianism, Christianity, Islam... Also consider social, political, or economic effects…

V.Kingdom of Aksum 1.Located in Ethiopia 2.King Ezana adopted Christianity as the official religion. 3.To this day, many Christians call Ethiopia home.

VI.Muslim States in Africa 1.Muslims came to north Africa in the 600s and eventually ruled Egypt 2.Muslims established theocracies (ruler was both a political and religious leader) 3.The Berbers converted to Islam and helped to spread Islam across North Africa as far as Spain.

Clock Buddy #4 Do you have a best friend? Why are you friends? What tends to happen when you start hanging around the same person for a long time?

VII.West African Civilizations A.The use of camels helped increase trade across the Sahara Desert of North Africa.

B.Kingdom of Ghana 1.Taxed the goods that the traders carried through their land 2.Gold and salt were the two most important trade goods a.The Ghanaians traded gold from their mines for salt from the Sahara region. 3.By 1000s, Muslim traders converted the Ghanaians to Islam (many common people kept their traditional beliefs).

Clock Buddy #5: What can you infer about Mansa Musa in this picture?

C.Kingdom of Mali 1.Developed south of Ghana around A.D Sundiata a. Mali’s first emperor b. a great military and political leader

3.Mansa Musa a. adopted Islam b. made Mali twice the size of Ghana’s empire c. divided the kingdom into provinces d. went on hajj to Mecca and, on his return, built mosques in Timbuktu (became a leading center of Muslim learning) and Gao

Clock Buddy #6  Name two things in Africa in which the Europeans might be interested.

D.Kingdom of Songhai 1.Farther to the east of Mali 2.Arose around 1400s 3.Gained control of the important trade routes 4.Two great rulers: Sunni Ali and Askia Muhammad 5.Empire fell due to lack of modern weapons (only had swords and spears) E.1480s: Portuguese trading ships arrived in Africa, which led to a long period of European involvement in Africa

VIII.East coast trade cities A.Became a region of blended cultures 1. Bantu-speaking peoples moved there from central Africa 2. Muslim Arab and Persian traders settled in port cities 3. Swahili was formed: a blended language of both Bantu and Arabic B.Kilwa 1. a very wealthy city that brought in much trade goods because of its location 2. was conquered by the Portuguese in the 1480s

 What would happen if Christianity mixed with Islam or a local religion (or vice versa)? What would this new religion look like?

IX.Islamic influences A.Contact with the east coast of Africa led to spread of Islam B.Most government officials and wealthy merchants were Muslims C.Slave trade: 1. Muslim traders sold slaves from the East African coast to areas in Arabia and Persia D.Religious syncretism: blending of religions 1. Seen in African cultures as they blended Christianity and Islam with their own native animistic religions

 Summarize with your partner three ways you saw African societies interact with each other and with outsiders.  Consider how this interaction affected others and the African societies themselves.