States and Societies of Sub-Saharan Africa Chapter 18 States and Societies of Sub-Saharan Africa

Effects of Early African Migrations Bantu-speaking peoples settlement south of equator Spread of agriculture, herding with Bantu migrations Iron metallurgy after 500 B.C. Bananas Domesticated in southeast Asia Malay seafarers colonized Madagascar, 300–500 C.E. Introduced bananas, yams, taro, chickens, and southeast Asian cultural traditions Well-adapted to African climate Food supply and population increased with this key crop 400 B.C. – 3.5 million 800 C.E.-22 million

Kin-Based Societies Stateless, segmented societies No elaborate hierarchies, bureaucracies Average population of village: one hundred Ruled by elders Network of villages resolved disputes in ad hoc manner Higher government authorities rare Served as the political and social structure of Bantu societies

Islamic Kingdoms and Empires Spread of Islam to west Africa Trans-Saharan caravans Coastal east Africa through maritime trade ( Indian Ocean Trade) Profound influence after eighth century Rulers converted to Islam to establish trade relations Introduction of Arabian camels revolutionized trade 70–90 days to cross Sahara 15 different saddle types were created by different regions to help increase trade

The Kingdom of Ghana Koumbi-Saleh Not related to modern state of Ghana Developed fourth to fifth century C.E. Center of African gold trade Imported from south to Ghana Taxed selling gold Also sold ivory, slaves Koumbi-Saleh Capital of kingdom of Ghana Principal trading center High point ninth to twelfth century Population 15,000–20,000 Military, cultural center

Islam in West Africa Conversion of kings of Ghana, tenth century Positive impact on trade, relations with north Africa Local kings did not force their people to convert to Islam Synthesized Islam with local traditions Nearby Takrur, aggressive missionaries 13th century Ghana began to be invaded Led to the collapse of Ghana and remaining territory would be controlled by the emerging kingdom of Mali

Sundiata and the creation of the Mali Empire Fierce, brave, good diplomat Founder of Mali Empire Empire of Mali extended over kingdom of Ghana Neighboring kingdoms as well (Senegal, Gambia) Took greater advantage of trans-Saharan trade Controlled and taxed all West African trade Capital of Niani Connected to other large cities like Timbuktu and Gao Nominally Muslim, but did not force conversions Provided protection and lodging for Muslim merchants

Mansa Musa (r. 1312–1337) Grand-nephew of Sundiata, fervent Muslim Performed hajj in 1324–1325 Constructed numerous mosques Supported Muslim scholars Gave out so much gold during the trip, he devalued the currency by 25% Upon return to Mali, he began building mosques Sent students to study at Islamic schools Empire in serious decline within decade after his rule Will be conquered by the growing Songhay Empire Mansa Musa introduced centralized government that would be used by the incoming Songhay empire

Indian Ocean Trade and Islamic States in East Africa East African coastal trade weak until second century Bantu peoples populated much of East Africa Swahili (“coasters”) engaged in trade with Arabs Language a form of Bantu, influenced by Arabic Tenth century, increased trade and communication Introduction of the Swahili language All the goods from West Africa were shipped from East African Swahili ports The Swahili City-States Great wealth, eleventh to twelfth centuries C.E. Development of city-states Architecture moved from wood/mud to coral, stone Chinese silk, porcelain imported

Kilwa City-state on east African coast Fishing, limited trade, 800–1000 C.E. Turned to agriculture, increased trade in pottery and stoneware Major trading center by fourteenth century Exported over a ton of gold per year by fifteenth century C.E. Chinese porcelain has been dug up Ibn Battuta visited in 1331 and wrote about the wealth of Kilwa

Zimbabwe Islam in East Africa “Dwelling of the chief” Modern day Zimbabwe and Mozambique Stone complex called “Great Zimbabwe” built early thirteenth century C.E., capital Population 18,000 in late fifteenth century Managed trade between internal and coastal regions Allowed for local alliances to be formed Similar to the alliances formed in the Mali Empire due to Tran Saharan trade Islam in East Africa Ruling elites in east Africa accepted Islam without forcing general population to convert Often retained pagan religious traditions and practices Islam served as social glue with other merchants, states

Arabian Society and Cultural Development Some kingdoms, empires, city-states with well-defined classes Ruling elites Merchant class Peasant class Other areas in sub-Saharan Africa continued to use traditional kin-based groups Kinship Groups Extended families, clans Idea of private property less prevalent Land held communally Harvests distributed by elders

Sex and Gender Relations Men worked with specialized skills Tanning, iron work Heavy labor Both sexes worked in agriculture Male rule more common, but some expanded roles for women Merchants, some military activity Islamic norms slow to penetrate African society Age Grades From early agricultural period, Sudan Peer groups of single age cohort Crossed lines of family and kinship

Slavery Practiced since ancient times (this is before Trans-Atlantic) Most slaves captives of war Debtors Criminals Used principally in agricultural labor Slaves a form of personal wealth, social status Slave trade stimulated by increased trans-Saharan and Indian Ocean trade, ninth century C.E. Africa replaced eastern Europe as principal source of slaves Slave raiding became increasingly prominent More powerful states attacked smaller kinship-based groups 10,000–20,000 slaves per year

The Zanj Revolt Slaves from Swahili coast exported to work in Mesopotamia Sugarcane plantations Salt deposits 869 C.E., revolt of 15,000 slaves mounted by slave Ali bin Muhammad Capture of Basra Later crushed by Abbasids

African Religion Great diversity of religious belief Common element: single male creator god Lesser deities associated with natural phenomena Ancestor worship Diviners Religious specialists, principally men Oracle reading, spells, other rituals Limited emphasis on theology Morality, balance of nature important Although Islam is heavily introduced by trade and leaders, most Africans kept traditional religions with blended Islamic values

Early Christianity in North Africa First century: popular in Egypt, north Africa Initially weak in sub-Saharan Africa Christian Kingdom of Axum, fourth century C.E. Ethiopia Merchants, then kings convert Bible translated into Ethiopian Isolated during Islamic period; renaissance during twelfth century C.E. Massive churches carved out of solid rock

Ethiopian Christianity Isolation from other Christian areas until 16th century Independent development Strong African influence Spirit world Amulets