COT : African Trade with Eurasia West and East Ghana-Songhai Axum-Swahili city-states

Africa During the Post classical Period From stateless Societies to Empires the Desire for Sudanic Gold Permeated the period, the Arab Slave trade will Also begin this Period and Continue through The 20 th century East Coast begins As Christian Kingdom of Axum est Mediterranean And Red Sea Trade with Rome Later Byzantine Only to move Inward once Muslim invaders Come in and Integrate into Coastal (Swahili) City-states

African Kingdom Similarities and Differences Common Elements in African Societies Common Elements in African Societies Bantu migration(ends 1000 C.E) Bantu migration(ends 1000 C.E) Animism Animism lineage important in relation with god (matrilineal) lineage important in relation with god (matrilineal) Women elevated in society (bridewealth) Women elevated in society (bridewealth) The Arrival of Islam in North Africa The Arrival of Islam in North Africa Arrival of Islam (Spain, by 711) Arrival of Islam (Spain, by 711) Berber Almoravids Berber Almoravids Almohads Almohads succeed Berbers, 12th century succeed Berbers, 12th century Kingdom of mali est. 13th h ce providing 2/3 of World’s gold Kingdom of mali est. 13th h ce providing 2/3 of World’s gold The Christian Kingdoms: Nubia and Ethiopia Copts The Christian Kingdoms: Nubia and Ethiopia Copts Egyptian Christians Egyptian Christians spread to Nubia (Kush) Ethiopia-interior migration after Muslim expansion spread to Nubia (Kush) Ethiopia-interior migration after Muslim expansion

Empires of Africa Kingdoms of the Grasslands Kingdoms of the Grasslands Caravans Caravans Sahel - transfer point Sahel - transfer point Sudanic States Sudanic States Rulers sacred Rulers sacred Islam Islam The Empire of Mali The Empire of Mali Malinke peoples from Ghana Malinke peoples from Ghana Agriculture, gold trade Agriculture, gold trade Sundiata (d.1260) Sundiata (d.1260) the “Lion Prince” the “Lion Prince” mansa (ruler) mansa (ruler) expanded state expanded state Mansa Kankan Musa Mansa Kankan Musa pilgrimage Ishal al-Sahili (Sp. Architect) beaten clay architecture Established city of Timbuktu (Islamic Scholarship flourishes) Empires of the Western Sudan

African Kingdoms City Dwellers and Villagers City Dwellers and Villagers Jenne, Timbuktu Jenne, Timbuktu thrive with expansion thrive with expansion Some merchants Some merchants Religious diffusion? Religious diffusion? Majority farmers Majority farmers The Songhay Kingdom (Capital: Gao) The Songhay Kingdom (Capital: Gao) Middle Niger valley Middle Niger valley Independent by 700 Independent by 700 Muslim by 1010 Muslim by 1010 Sunni Ali ( ) Sunni Ali ( ) Hausa states, northern Nigeria Hausa states, northern Nigeria Muslim center Political and Social Life in the Sudanic States Political and Social Life in the Sudanic States Fusion of traditions Fusion of traditions

Swahili Coast The Swahili Coast of East Africa The Swahili Coast of East Africa Trading ports Trading ports Muslim influence Muslim influence Cultural diffusion and synthesis Cultural diffusion and synthesis The Coastal Trading Ports (*Mogadishu*, Mombasa, Malindi, Kilwa, Pate, Zanzibar) The Coastal Trading Ports (*Mogadishu*, Mombasa, Malindi, Kilwa, Pate, Zanzibar) Don’t need to know, just be familiar Don’t need to know, just be familiar Madagascar Madagascar SEA imports SEA imports Blended culture (Bantu-Arabic-India) Blended culture (Bantu-Arabic-India) The Swahili Coast

Swahili Coast (cont’d) The Mixture of Cultures on the Swahili Coast The Mixture of Cultures on the Swahili Coast Islam unifies Islam unifies Other Characteristics Other Characteristics Egalitarian/homogenous to cosmopolitan/diverse Egalitarian/homogenous to cosmopolitan/diverse Key Exports & Imports (interior African goods for exterior Eurasian good) Key Exports & Imports (interior African goods for exterior Eurasian good) Two distinct “trading seasons” Two distinct “trading seasons” Connection to China? Connection to China? When did this exchange with China end? When did this exchange with China end?

COT Africa Trade ChangesContinuities Mali and Songhai Expanded trade past Mediterranean world Swahili city-states Role of Indian Ocean trade Role of Islam Mansa Musa’s Hajj Timbuktu and Jene Jene Gold and Salt trade increased with Europe’s insatiable demand Camel caravanaseri’s increase due to the increased global demand for African goods (Gold, animal skins, ivory,) Soldiers cleared land for planting rice, yams, beans and to raise cattle, sheep and goats Mali became productive farming region Rainforest Kingdoms like Benin and Kongo provide woven fabrics and wood, ivory and metal art for trade) Africans who were the link (middlemen) between foreign traders and iInland Africans brought: gold, copper, & ivory Arab traders brought: porcelain, spices & fabrics Met in coastal city-states ( Mombasa, Sofala, Kilwa) Use of the Arab Dhow to utilize seasonal monsoon winds Camel Caravans Trans-Saharan tade Use of Nile and red sea for trade (coptic Christianity still in East Africa modern Ethiopia) Animism still predominant Women still important economically ( cattle raisers, matrilineal, bridewealth) Stateless societies persist which engage in trade Gold and Sal trade continue Regional trade still exists amongst African stateless societies (although now increasingly interconnected with global trade) Geography still serves to hinder many merchants’ Use of iron metallurgy still important for agriculture and safe trade Bantu still a commonly spoken family of languages for merchants. Dumb barter still utilized (although replaced in many areas by Muslim regulations on trade)

From African trade intensified across the Sahara and Indian Ocean aided and abetted by the growth of the Muslim territories, it enhanced trade regulations through the enforcement of Sharia, Koran and hadith, however, the commodities of gold, salt, iron and ivory remain staples for the economies of African stateless societies.