Western and Central Africa

Movement within Africa “The Bantu Migrations” Bantu people originated in West Africa They are the original 400 tribes of Africa Too many people for the environment to support, so large groups of Bantu moved to other areas Spread into Central, Eastern, and Southern Africa As they migrated “Cultural Diffusion” occurred Exchange of culture between groups of people Food, clothing, customs, religion, etc.

Movement within Africa The Bantu were much more advanced people than the tribes we studied so far More advanced than the Hamer, Mursii, Maasai, and Bushmen This began to create a difference in lifestyles between peoples of Africa The Bantu are the civilized and modern people of Africa They are in control of society Money and government Ultimately, they have all of the power

Movement within Africa (Western Africa) Powerful empires developed in West Africa: From the years 1050 – 1500 The empires of Ghana, Mali, and Songhai thrived in West Africa because of their location on trade routes across the Sahara Gold and Salt were the main products traded Necessity vs. Desire

Ghana, Mali, Songhai Ghana – Ghana means “war chief”. Traders began to call this area Ghana. Gold and Salt were the main things exchanged here. Empire of Ghana was in power from 800 – 1100. Mali – 1235, kingdom of Mali emerged. Conquered Ghana. 2/3 of the world’s gold came from West Africa at this time. Declined around 1400. Songhai – 1400-1591

Movement out of Africa Out of Africa The slave trade Triangular trade Europeans traveled to Africa in search of labor Set up trading posts along the West coast of Africa Goree Island Just off the coast of the country of Senegal Millions of slaves left here for the slave auction in Cuba Triangular trade Slaves went to the Americas from Africa Raw materials like molasses, cotton, coffee, tobacco went to Europe Guns, manufactured goods, and money go back to Africa

Movement out of Africa The slave trade = Maafa Middle Passage Swahili for "holocaust" or "great disaster“ Middle Passage one to six months depending on weather conditions Typical slave ships contained several hundred slaves with about thirty crew members Males chained together in pairs to save space Women and children may have had somewhat more room. Wretched Conditions Disease, contamination, and filth were rampant

Slave Trade Map Destination % 35.4 22.1 17.7 14.1 4.4 0.2 Brazil Spanish Empire 22.1 British W. Indies 17.7 French W. Indies 14.1 British N. America (future U.S.A) 4.4 Dutch W. Indies Danish W. Indies 0.2

Movement into Africa Movement Into Africa Africa was unexplored until the 1600s Became known as the “Dark Continent” Little was known about Africa because physical barriers stopped exploration Vast deserts, dense rainforests, and cataracts Western Africa was where most explorers ended up As exploration increased, numerous resources of value were found Gold, silver, diamonds, coffee, tea, wood, cotton, etc Cecil Rhodes founded a diamond company called DeBeers DeBeers markets 60 to 90% of the world's diamonds

Movement into Africa “Scramble for Africa” “Berlin Conference” The Industrial Revolution was occurring in Europe so the demand for raw materials increased Europeans rushed into Africa to get as many resources as they could Set up “Colonies” Take control of another country’s economy and government England, France, Spain, Germany, Portugal, Belgium, & Italy Wars were being fought over the new land “Berlin Conference” Meeting of European countries Conference to “carve up Africa”

White Man’s Burden Rudyard Kipling’s poem The white man (Europeans) are responsible for civilizing the primitive cultures of Africa Used as an excuse for Europeans destroying African civilizations and taking their resources Promotes colonies throughout Africa And…Segregation, Discrimination and Racism

Countries of Central & Western Africa – Basics of… Democratic Republic of the Congo Size of the U.S. east of the Mississippi River! Located in large rainforest (40-80 inches of rain a year) Belgium and King Leopold II colonized History of civil war since independence More than 200 ethnic groups

Republic of Cameroon About the size of California Rubber, bananas, cocoa, and timber are supported by the climate Bantu tribes inhabited highlands more than 1,500 years ago Germany, France, and Britain ruled More than half of its people live in rural communities ¼ population is Muslim

Republic of Senegal About the size of South Dakota Dakar (capital) is a major port of West Africa Tropical climate: 95 degrees during rainy season Goree Island = slave trade (off coast) France colonized 95% Muslim 70% of people work in agriculture

Republic of Ghana About the size of Oregon Temps can reach 100 degrees regularly British colonized in 1901 English is the official language More than half are Christian, 15-20% are Muslim 50% of people work in agriculture HIV/AIDS is a growing problem

Sierra Leone About the size of South Carolina Average 125 inches of rain a year Was once part of Mali Empire Slavery was big here Became a British colony Christianity and Islam are practiced 18 ethnic groups One of the world’s poorest countries despite resources like diamonds and gold

Federal Republic of Nigeria About size of California, Nevada, and Utah combined Diverse geography, people, and culture Slaves from Nigeria went to North and South America British colonized Most populated country in Africa; 250 ethnic groups 50% Muslim, 40% Christian One of world’s largest oil producers