Africa: Fight for your rights

Why is Africa so poor? Why is Africa so underdeveloped?

African Civilization and the Spread of Islam Why should we care about africa What is the state of Africa

Overview

African Traits Very complex societies-”Can’t Generalize” Distinct cultures => lack of unity Not known for empires or religions = stateless Secret societies limit powers of rulers Veneration of ancestors and gods Bantu,animism, witchcraft, creator diety

Lack of “Organization”… => formation of states (p.186)

The rise of Islam Islam spreads through north Africa The message of Islam is popular 11th century-Berbers (Almoravids) form puritanitcal reform movement in Spain and western and southern Sahara 1130-Almohadis follow same pattern Spread through trade at first followed by invading armies

https://maps. google. com/maps https://maps.google.com/maps?safe=active&q=sudan+map&ie=UTF-8&hq=&hnear=0x15d91cc41072b195:0xd2bf70462a612b37,Sudan&gl=us&ei=HARpUryGMIeOkAeXiYGwAw&ved=0CCkQ8gEwAA

Key Features Islam offered many attractions within Africa (p. 187) Equality Belief in uniting powers of the state

Ghana Formed around 3rd century 8th century active in trade (gold) 10th century height of its power. Ghana rulers convert to Islam 1076 Ghana invaded by Almoravids

Map of Kingdom of Ghana http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/ghan/hd_ghan.htm

Map of Modern Day Ghana https://maps.google.com/maps?safe=active&q=ghana+africa+map&ie=UTF-8&hq=&hnear=0xfd75acda8dad6c7:0x54d7f230d093d236,Ghana&gl=us&ei=xghpUvm5LZGGkQfh2YCwAQ&ved=0CCkQ8gEwAA

Mali Empire 13th century Malinke people (from Ghana) Kingship reinforced by Islam Malinke merchants (juula) carry out trade Sundiata (great leader) unified Mali empire Griots professional historians Agriculture economic basis, gold is also important Crime severely punished (protects merchants)

Map of Mali Empire http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/mali/hd_mali.htm

Map of Modern Day Mali https://maps.google.com/maps?safe=active&q=mali+west+africa+map&ie=UTF-8&hq=&hnear=0xe143e881b1073cf:0xbb3a5be2a0bdcf80,Mali&gl=us&ei=dQxpUq27BMyMkAfh2oEo&sqi=2&ved=0CCkQ8gEwAA

Songhay Empire Formed after Mali Empire (7th century) Rulers become Muslim Most population pagan Sunni Ali most effective leader (1464-1492)-Songhay gains imperial status Defied Muslim authority

Map of Songhai Empire http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/sghi/hd_sghi.htm

http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/ht/?period=08&region=afu

Swahili Kingdom Dotted with various ethnic groups Immigration from 200 B.C.E.-1000 C.E. String (several) of Islamicized African ports-located along east coat of Africa African customs and Bantu Swahili language remain strong 8th and 9th century people from Oman and Persian Gulf arrive => ZENJ

By 13th century several east African trading ports were well established Kilwa (p. 196) most famous port (13th-15th century) Social stratification very pronounced Portuguese arrive 1500 C.E. => decline begins

http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/ht/?period=08&region=afu

Yoruba, Benin, Congo, Great Zimbabwe Origin unclear (500 B.C.E.-200 C.E.) based on artifacts found at Nok Agricultural, used iron tools Rich artistic tradition Ile-Ife main city (p. 197) Ruled by family and an aristocracy Organized into small city-states Non-Bantu language

Benin Emerged in the 14th century Edo people also with rich artistic tradition Ewuare the Great (1440-1473) Contact with Portuguese in 1485 but remained relatively free Important commercially until 19th century