Early African Societies and the Bantu Migrations SPICE Packet Early African Societies and the Bantu Migrations

S- Development and Transformation of Social Structures Cities in the Nile Valley -> centers for accumulated wealth= social distinctions + hierarchies Pharaoh- Supreme ruler, made laws, commanded the military, and promoted trade, building projects, and the arts. Government Officials- carried out Pharaoh’s orders/served central government Priests- in charge of temples, rituals, and ceremonies. Scribes- highly educated, recorded information for government and religious leaders Artisans- highly skilled craftspeople like carpenters, painters, metal-workers, sculptors, and stone carvers. Peasants/Slaves farmed and worked on the pharaoh’s building projects.

S- Development and Transformation of Social Structures Patriarchal Society Men Authority of public and private affairs Elites- scribes, government officials Lower-class men- potters, carpenters, fishermen, laborers Women Royal family- use status to offer advice, influence policy, manipulate politics, priestesses, scribes Ex. Queen Hatshepsut Upper elites- oversaw domestic work of servants All below- perform domestic work Brew beer, grow vegetables, grind grains, bake bread, spin thread, weave textiles Both men and women can accumulate property and pass wealth on to children

P- State-Building, Expansion, and Conflict 3100 BCE- unified rule in Egypt under Menes Capital at Memphis Centralized state ruled by Pharaoh 3100-2660 BCE- Archaic Period 2660-2160 BCE- Old Kingdom Pyramids (Archaic and Old Kingdom periods)- evidence of Pharaoh’s ability to use resources, symbol of greatness/wealth Conflict between Nubia and Egypt over political and commercial resources Hostilities force consolidation of Nubian power-> Kingdom of Kush Desire for trade despite hostilities-> cultural diffusion Hyksos invade with horses and advanced weaponry

P- State-Building, Expansion, and Conflict 1550-1070 BCE- period of productivity, prosperity, and power known as the New Kingdom Born out of Nobles’ rebellions against foreigners Pharaohs seize control of regions seen as political threats 1479 BCE- Egypt expands under imperial rule of Tuthmosis III Palestine, Syria, Kush Local resistance of conquered peoples and Kushite + Assyrian invasions cause decline of Egyptian empire Kushite dynasty rules Egypt from 760 BCE Mid-Sixth century BCE- Egypt falls to foreign conquerors

I- Interaction Between Humans and the Environment Early Sudanic Agriculture 10,000 BCE- Sudan region grassy steppe of rivers, lakes, streams People hunt wild cattle, collect grains, fish 9,000 BCE- domesticate cattle, nomadic herders 7500 BCE- development of agriculture and permanent settlements 5000 BCE- small-scale states, monarchies ruled by “divine” kings Climate becomes hotter in Northern Africa: Sahara become uninhabitable (desiccation)-> people move closer to water sources

I- Interaction Between Humans and the Environment Nile River Predictable, annual floods leave rich soil Agricultural techniques become more advanced with irrigation Nubian and Egyptian societies protected by Red Sea, Mediterranean Sea, and Sahara Desert 4000 BCE- agricultural villages cooperate for trade and building projects 3000 BCE- small local kingdoms along Nile

C- Development and Interaction of Cultures Hieroglyphic Writing (3200 BCE) Mesopotamian influence Papyrus Used to keep administrative and commercial records + literary and religious texts Hieratic- simplified script for everyday affairs Eventually, Egyptians adapt Greek alphabet to language

C- Development and Interaction of Cultures Religious Traditions Revered sun, creation, fertility, reproductive forces Ex. Amon, Re Brief practice of monotheism-> Aten Mummification- death as a new level of existence Extended only to rulers and wealthy Cult of Osiris Associated with the Nile and crops Revered for cycle of life, death, and resurrection

E- Creation, Expansion, and Interaction of Economic Systems Technological Advancements 17th Century BCE- Bronze adopted for Egyptian tools and weaponry 1000 BCE- Iron production develops independently in Southern Nile Societies 3500 BCE- Boats ride Nile south to north, use sails and winds from the north to move back south 3000 BCE- Egyptians sail into Mediterranean 2000 BCE- Egyptians explore Red Sea, Gulf of Aden, western Arabian Sea Use wheeled vehicles and donkeys for overland trade

E- Creation, Expansion, and Interaction of Economic Systems Specialized labor + efficient transportation= long-distance trade Imports Exports Egypt: Ivory, ebony, leopard skins, ostrich feathers, gemstones, gold, slaves Nubia: Linen textiles, boxes, furniture, jewelry Egypt: Cedar Logs Lebanon: Gold, silver, linen textiles, leather goods, dried foods Egypt: Gold, ebony, ivory, cattle, aromatics, slaves, apes, monkeys, dogs, panthers, myrrh trees Punt: Jewelry, tools, weapons

Bantu Migrations and Early Agricultural Societies of Sub-Saharan Africa Bantu language from Niger-Congo People settled on rivers, cultivated crops, raised goats and fowl Clan-based villages headed by chiefs Traded with hunter-gatherer forest dwellers Population pressure Canoes and agricultural surplus enable migration 3000 BCE- migrate south into west African forest 2000 BCE- Expand south into Congo River Basin + east toward Great Lakes Region (Rwanda/Uganda) Absorbed local populations of forest dwellers 1000 BCE- development of iron-> enables rapid migration

Bantu Migrations and Early Agricultural Societies of Sub-Saharan Africa 1000 CE- Bantu-speaking peoples occupy most of Africa south of Equator Language broken into over 500 distinct tongues Encroachment on land of forest peoples-> pressure and conflict Spread agriculture throughout sub-Saharan Africa Societies make social distinctions based on age-sets and gender Monotheistic religious beliefs Ex. Nyamba (creator god) Prayed to ancestral and local spirits

SQ3R In what ways did agriculture impact the early societies of northern Africa? Why are Egypt and Nubia referred to as the “Gifts of the Nile?” What were the characteristics of a unified Egypt? What turmoil resulted from the expansion of the Egyptian empire? What role did the emergence of cities play in the social stratification of Egyptian societies? What technological advancements enabled economic specialization and trade in ancient Egypt? What uses did early writing have in the Nile Valley? Why did organized religious traditions develop in Egypt? Why is the Bantu expansion distinguished by the language spoken? What impact did the spread of agriculture have on early societies of sub-Saharan Africa?