Class Notes October 2 & 3

Nubia The first civilization to appear in northern Africa was that of the Nubians. The Nubians lived in villages along the Nile River just south of Egypt around 3000 B.C. The fertile soils and endless fresh water from the Nile made Nubia the perfect location to build a city. The city they built was one of the most sophisticated of the time. Nubian kings, noblemen, and merchants grew wealthy through trade with Egypt and other peoples. Elaborate Nubian tombs have been found, showing that the kings of the time were as wealthy as the Egyptian kings of the same era.

Kush After a thousand years Nubia gradually evolved, becoming larger and more powerful. By 2000 B.C., Nubia was known as the Kingdom of Kush. The people of this kingdom traded ivory and other treasures from southern Africa with the peoples who lived further north. 1500-1000 BCE controlled by the Egyptians 1000 BCE Kushites fight and win their freedom from Egypt 724 BCE Kush invades Egypt 671 BCE Assyrians run Kushites out of Egypt 671-500 BCE Golden Age of Kush 500 BCE Kush invaded by Axums

Axum The Axums controlled a territory along the Red Sea that allowed them to prosper from trade. After defeating the Kingdom of Kush, Axum was able to control trade into and out of much of Africa. Cargo ships from Rome, India, Persia, and Egypt brought goods in, and took ivory and other goods out to the rest of the known world. 330 A.D. the king of Axum was converted to Christianity. The Christian nation of Axum thrived until the A.D. 600s when Muslim raiders and bandits began seizing Axum goods and territory. Gradually, the people of Axum began calling their kingdom Ethiopia.

Bantu Peoples Around 1000 B.C., much of Africa was covered in small villages of primitive peoples who shared languages that were similar to one another. Because the languages they shared are known as Bantu, these people are referred to as the Bantu peoples. The Bantus lived in small villages that were governed by a chief, council, or by elders. These villages were typically made up of extended families, but marriage among people of different villages was common. The locations of Bantu villages was temporary. They tended to remain in one location until the resources in that area were exhausted. As life became more difficult, or the ground less fertile, they would move on to a new location.

Nok Around 700 B.C., a small civilization emerged in the Niger River Valley known as the Nok People civilization. Very little is known about this people or about their culture. They were not as wealthy as the kingdoms of the North. They led a quiet life of farming and family. The few artifacts that have been found show that they used iron tools to plow and farm the land.

Ghana Around 300 A.D., a new and powerful kingdom emerged in West Africa. This kingdom was known as Ghana. Between 300 and 1200 A.D., Ghana controlled the export of salt and gold. They were also able to prosper from the collection of taxes on the many merchant caravans that traveled through their territory as they brought goods from one area to another. Ghana controlled a vast area of over 100,000 square miles. A Ghanan king was referred to as the Ghana, just like a Egyptian king was referred to as the Pharaoh.

Mali Around 1200 A.D., a small city-state controlled by Ghana was able to win its independence. This city-state was named Mali. During the 1300s A.D., Mali expanded its territory and influence. By the late 1300s A.D., Mali controlled all of the former Kingdom of Ghana as well as much of the territory around it.

Songhai Around 1400 A.D., a strong military leader by the name of Sunni Ali led his forces in a succession of battle victories. Through these victories, Sunni Ali conquered much of the former Kingdoms of Ghana and Mali.