Kingdoms of Africa

Sub- Saharan Africa This is the area we will be studying this chapter Sub- Saharan Africa This is the area we will be studying this chapter. It does not include North Africa.

VVWA for Sub-Saharan Africa Word Visual Representation Definition Personal Association or Characteristic

West African Kingdoms Ghana Mali Songhai Hausa Benin

A map of Ghana with Muslim trade routes The Kingdom of Ghana Began around the 9th Century Capital was Kumbi-Saleh People were the Soninke King was a semi-divine figure Center of trade Arab traders referred to it as the “Land of Gold” A map of Ghana with Muslim trade routes

Women in The Kingdom of Ghana Played an active role in economics Held positions in the government Line of succession for the King went through the King’s mother A photograph of a woman from Ghana dressed in traditional clothing

Influence of Islam in the Kingdom of Ghana Muslim merchants formed their own communities Muslims were used as advisors to the king absorbing technology and ideas of government Almoravids converted most people to Islam The crescent moon is the symbol of Islam like the Star of David and the cross are symbols of Judaism and Christianity. The star is a symbol of Ghana.

Muslim Contributions to Ghana’s Society Written language Coinage Business methods Styles of architecture An African mosque exemplifying the influence of Islam in African architecture

The Kingdom of Mali Began around the 13th Century Capital was Timbuktu People were the Mandinke Center of trade Mali means “Where the king dwells” A Map Depicting the Kingdom of Mali

Two Emperors of Mali Sundiata – founded Mali in 1250 ce Mansa Musa – considered the greatest emperor of Mali. He came to power around 1312 ce

Sundiata His entire family was killed shortly after he was born Brilliant military leader Won control of gold trade routes Famous epic poem written about him Seen as a folk hero of Mali A Copy of the Epic of Sundiata

A European Map Showing Mansa Musa Expanded the borders of Mali westward and to the north Worked to ensure peace and order in the empire Converted to Islam Based his system of justice on the Qur’an Women were not veiled or secluded A European Map Showing Mansa Musa

Mansa Musa Takes the Hajj Accompanied by 500 slaves each holding a golden staff He was accompanied by 100 camels laden with gold Visited the ka’aba Journey took over a year A Map of Mansa Musa’s Trip Across the Sahara Desert

Effects of Mansa Musa’s Hajj He forged new trading ties with Muslims states like Egypt and Morocco Brought Arab scholars and artists to Mali News of his gold wealth reached Europe which sparked interest in the riches of Africa Gold Jewelry

The Kingdom of Songhai Began about 1450 ce and lasted until 1586 ce Capital was Gao Largest West African kingdom Located in present day Niger and Burkina Faso A Map of the Kingdom of Songhai

Sonni Ali – Songhai King Sonni Ali ruled from 1464 to 1492 Brought key trade routes under his control He did not practice Islam A Depiction of Sonni Ali

Askia Muhammad – Songhai King Set up a Muslim Dynasty Expanded the territory Set up a bureaucracy w/ departments for farming, treasury, and military Made the hajj Built mosques and set up schools to study the Qur’an A depiction of Askia Muhammad

The City-States of the Hausa Came to power in the 14th Century Group of independent walled city-states Each was a thriving commercial center producing cotton and leather goods Kano – most prosperous Many Hausa leaders were women A Hausa House

The Kingdom of Benin Began in the early 14th Century The king who was called the Oba was both political and religious leader Power to rule was shared with the queen-mother and a council of hereditary chiefs Artists created brass sculptures depicting warriors, queen-mothers, obas, and even Portuguese merchants A Warrior In Bronze from Benin

The Lasting Impact of the Kingdoms of West Africa The eyes of Europeans were turned toward Africa’s supplies of gold and other natural resources. Europeans would soon travel to Africa in order to explore and then to divide up and colonize almost the entire continent. This created chaos for Africa and its people because political boundaries were not drawn based on ethnic group, language or culture. They were drawn by Europeans based on the amount of land under European control.

European Colonization of Africa

Kingdoms of East Africa Axum East African City-States Great Zimbabwe

One of the Christian churches carved out of stone by King Lalibela The Kingdom of Axum Located in present day Ethiopia Founded by King Ezana Language = Geez Axum & Adulis were important trading cities Practiced Judaism & Christianity Christianity isolated Axum when most of the region converted to Islam. One of the Christian churches carved out of stone by King Lalibela

East African City States The names of the city states were Mogadishu, Kilwa, Malindi, Sofala, & Mombasa They were very successful trading cities trading with India, China, & the Middle East Most people converted to Islam A diverse culture created much cultural diffusion for example Swahili is a mix of Arabic and the local bantu language Ancient remains from the trading city of Kilwa

The Empire of Great Zimbabwe Settled around 900 ce Traded gold and other goods Archeologists have found remains of beads from India and porcelain from China Ruled by a god-king, queen mother and 9 queens using a bureaucracy Remains of the main city of the empire of Great Zimbabwe

East African City States A map depicting East African trade How many East African Kingdoms can you identify? List them in your notebooks and make sure to remember they may be spelled differently

Africa Today