Early African Societies SSWH 6

The Standard Goal of Learning SSWH6 The student will describe the diverse characteristics of early African societies before 1800. a. Identify the Bantu migration patterns and contribution to settled agriculture.

Bantu Migration Pattern Started in Niger River area Spread South 1st to Congo 2nd to Angola & Zambia Spread East to Uganda then South to Congo, Zimbabwe and Mozambique Bantus moved like small communities, not like invaders - Assimilating and/or displacing native populations

Bantu Contributions Contributions: Farming Linguistic Contributions: Subsistence farming Spread knowledge of high-yield crops Linguistic Contributions: Languages of eastern, central and southern Africa show similarities with the mother tongues originally spoken in West Africa Iron-smelting Creating tools & weapons to assist in survival Brought development of the system of statehood Government development of leadership state-craft organizing people for campaigns for battles.

Development and Decline of African Kingdoms SSWH6b: Describe the development and decline of Sudanic kingdoms (Ghana, Mali, Songhai); include the roles of Sundiata, and the pilgrimage of Mansa Musa to Mecca.

Kushian Kingdom Development Decline Ancient Egypt had conquered Nubia and Kush during the height of Egypt’s power. The Kushites managed to free themselves from Egypt around 1000 BC (during the collapse of the New Kingdom) and became the state of Kush. They were a major trading empire for several hundred years. Kush flourished from 250 BCE to CE 150. Decline They declined because of the rise of Axum.

Axum Development Axum was founded as a colony of Arabs from the southern tip of the Arabian peninsula. Eventually emerged as independent state, combining Arab and African cultures. Aided by trade routes between India and the Mediterranean. Main ruler was King Ezana. Converted to Christianity & made it the state religion.

Ghana Development Emerged CE 500 Upper Niger River Valley Grasslands between Sahara Desert and tropical rain forests Started as farming villages that developed into a kingdom Kings rules without rules and had complete control.

Ghana Trade and Economy Prospered due to possession of iron and gold Blacksmiths were important because they turned ore into weapons and tools. Gold made them the center of enormous trade empire Muslim traders brought metal goods, textiles, horses and salt from North Africa. Salt was important because it preserved food and restored sodium the body lost to sweat in the heat of the area. Other goods traded were ivory, ostrich feathers, hides, and slaves.

Ghana Decline Weakened by wars and collapsed in the 1000s.

Mali Development Kingdom was established by Sundiata Keita. Defeated the Ghanans and captured their capital in 1240. United the people and created a strong government. Center was Timbuktu: a famous trading city

Mali and Mansa Musa Ruled from 1312 to 1337 Doubled the size of Mali Divided it into provinces ruled by governors Was a Muslim, made pilgrimage to Mecca. Took thousands of servants Gave gifts of gold to his hosts along the way Gave away so much the value of gold worldwide went down Brought world’s attention to Mali as powerful

Mali and Mansa Musa Made Timbuktu a center of Islamic learning and culture Organized the building of mosques and libraries Brought in architects from around the world to design them

Mali Decline By 1359, civil war divided Mali In another 100 years, the kingdom of Songhai began to surpass Mali.

Songhai Development In 1009, Kossi converted to Islam and established the Dia dynasty. Sunni Ali created the Sunni dynasty in 1464 He expanded the lands and took over trade that had previously been used by Ghana and Mali. Muhammad Ture brought Songhai to its height. Overthrew Sunni Ali in 1493. Established Askia dynasty.

Songhai Decline They slowly declined under Muhammad Ture. The sultan of Morocco took over near the end of the 16th century. By 1600, Songhai was gone.

African Trading Networks SSWH6c: Describe the trading networks by examining trans-Saharan trade in gold, salt, and slaves; include the Swahili trading cities.

Trans-Saharan Trade Route Around 750 CE, Islamic traders began to use camels to transports goods across the Sahara Desert.  The use of camels made it possible to get from Kush to West Africa overland. Camels were the perfect answer. They can carry heavy loads, can keep their footing in sliding sand, can go a long time without water, and if treated well, are patient beasts. Camels soon were nicknamed the “Ships of the Desert,” and the camel caravans became known as “Fleets of the Desert” as they were guided by the Berbers, a nomadic people.

Trans-Saharan Trade Route Caravans of camels were loaded with trade goods. spices from India iron tools and weapons from Kush salt, gold, and slaves from North & West Africa In no time, anywhere there was an oasis in the desert, cities and towns sprang up. New occupations were born in West Africa, including camel dealers and caravan traders. 

Indian Ocean Trade Muslims from the Arabian Peninsula began settling ports along the Coast of Africa. String of ports including Mogadishu, Mombasa, and Kilwa. Kilwa became one of the most magnificent cities of its day. The mixture of African and Arabian culture that resulted became known as Swahili. The word of Swahili was applied to the major language used in the area. Combined Bantu with words and phrases from Arabic

Baghdad Taghaza Timbuktu Mogadishu Mombasa Kilwa

African Imports/Exports Kingdom Import Export Axum Textiles; metals Slaves; ivory Kush Luxury items Iron; slaves, gold Ghana Salt Gold; slaves Mali Gold Songhai

Religious Syncretism SSWH6d: Analyze the process of religious syncretism as a blending of traditional African beliefs with new ideas from Islam and Christianity

Traditional Beliefs Most African societies shared some common religious ideas. Believed in a single creator god and many lesser gods. Believed they must please god to have good things happen (good harvest, health, and children) A person may be punished with accidents, crop failures, and illness if he did not follow the god. Communicated through rituals Ancestors were believed to be closer to gods so rituals were performed to them also.

Religious Syncretism Arrival of Islam Traditional beliefs were challenged but not always replaced by Islam Islam spread across North Africa with the Arab conquest. It spread to individuals first. Rulers, however, did not discourage Islam because of Muslim trade.

Religious Syncretism Christianity took hold in the mountains of Ethiopia. Remember, Axum had become Christian because of King Ezana.

Religious Syncretism Blending of Religion Islam and Christianity sometimes conflicted with traditional beliefs. They both rejected spirit worship. Islam insisted on distinct roles of men and women. In many places the traditional beliefs and Islam were combined and created a unique brand of Africanized Islam.