West Civilizations of Africa Ghana, Mali, and Songhai Ghana, Mali, and Songhai

Ghana ( A.D) Developed in the upper Niger River

Greatest achievement was in the area of trade. They crossed the Sahara and trade with North Africa, the Middle East, and East Africa. camel caravans “ships of the desert”).They traveled across the Sahara by camel caravans (“ships of the desert”). gold, salt, and slaves.Major products traded were gold, salt, and slaves.

Mali ( ) Extended from Timbuktu to Atlantic Ocean

They conquered Ghana. Expanded the size of the kingdom and continued the trade routes. Sundiata established the Mali Empire.

Islam in the Mali Empire The greatest achievement was the adoption of Islam as their official religion. Mansa MusaThe leader responsible for this was Mansa Musa. Impacts of converting to Islam: – tolerance and equality – decrease in tribal problems – an increased emphasis on education.

the Mosque of Djenne

The city of Timbuktu was their main city. universitiesThe first universities in Western Africa were built in this city. This city became the center of trade and learning. Islam expanded as did trade. TimbuktuTimbuktu was one of the most prosperous cities in Africa.

Songhai ( ) Developed along the Niger River Expanded to the Atlantic Ocean

Largest kingdom in African history Extensive network of trade West Africa reached the height of prosperity and cultural achievement under this civilization. Sunni Ali expanded the empire, and Mohammed Ture brought peace and prosperity.

The biggest problem during this time period was the start of the Atlantic Slave Trade. The Songhai traded slaves, with Europeans; this ultimately led to the downfall of African independence in West Africa. The Songhai Empire collapsed when the Moroccans used superior weaponry to seize power and when maritime trade routes replaced trans-Sahara trade routes.

The African Slave Trade There were 2 different Slave Trades that existed in Africa The Trans- Atlantic slave trade to the Americas which lasted for just over three centuries, the Trans-Sahara slave trade which has lasted fourteen centuries, and in some parts of the Muslim world is still continuing to this day. (Arab slave trade) slaves were obtained from along the west coast of Africa with the full and active co- operation of African kings and merchants.

African’s traded Slaves for goods like beads, cowrie shells (used as money), textiles, brandy, horses, and perhaps most importantly, guns. Africans were used primarily for Plantation work in the Caribbean, and Brazil mortality rateThe mortality rate for slaves being transported across the Atlantic was as high as 10%, the percentage of slaves dying in transit in the Trans Sahara trade was between 80 and 90%!

The slaves shipped across the Atlantic were for agricultural work, the slaves destined for the Muslim Middle East were for sexual exploitation as concubines and Eunichs, in harems, and for military service. Slaves who went to the Americas could marry and have families, slaves destined for the Middle East were castrated, and most of the children born to the women were killed at birth. It is estimated that possibly as many as 11 million Africans were transported across the Atlantic, however, at least 28 million Africans were enslaved in the Muslim Middle East.

As at least 80% of those captured by Muslim slave traders were calculated to have died before reaching the slave markets, it is believed that the death toll was over 112 million people. While Christian Reformers started anti-slavery movements in Europe and North America, there was no opposition to slavery within the Muslim world.

African Culture African Culture 1. Animism:1. Animism: The religion of traditional Africans was based on the belief that spirits inhabited all living things. Nature was to be treated with respect, (Worshipped), as were their ancestors and elders. 2. Extended Families:2. Extended Families: The people in Africa had to pool their labor and resources to survive. The conditions were too harsh for people to survive on their own.

Mali

Timbuktu

Djingareyber Mosque Palace and Mosque of Musa

East African Civilizations A. Egypt B. Kush C. Axum A. Egypt B. Kush C. Axum Gift of the NileEgypt was called the Gift of the Nile. Without the Nile river civilization would not have been able to develop. Egypt is located in the Sahara desert.

How was Egypt able to develop into one of the greatest civilizations in the world? The Nile River overflowed each year at the same time. The river not only provided water, but a new layer of topsoil was deposited each year as a result of the floods. This combined with the fact that it was hot year round allowed for a surplus of food. Achievements of the Egyptians:Achievements of the Egyptians: hieroglyphicsa. Writing - used hieroglyphics to keep records and record history. b. Architecture - famous for the construction of the pyramids. c. Calendar - developed a calendar that accurately predicted the floods.

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Egyptian Achievements Egyptian writing known as hieroglyphs, thought to be the world's earliest known writing system They performed surgery, setting of bones and had knowledge of pharmacopoeia The science of engineering was a major accomplishment

Hieroglyphics

Rosetta Stone

Ancient KushAncient Kush: Greatest achievement was the development of Iron tools and weapons. This development brought them great wealth and power. They also developed an alphabet that was easier than the hieroglyphics of the Egyptians. Ancient AxumAncient Axum: The greatest difference of Axum was that they were the first to convert to Christianity in Africa. They were also great sailors and traded with Asia, and the Middle East.

South African Civilizations South African Civilizations Great Zimbabwe Zimbabwe: South of the Zambezi River on Africa’s east coast existed the most prosperous civilization in this region from the 12 th through the 15 th century. The capital, known as Great Zimbabwe, was built on the gold trade and cattle herding.

The Bantu Civilization The Bantu Civilization The Bantu people originated in western Africa and migrated throughout the eastern and southern parts of Africa. The Bantu are responsible for spreading many ideas throughout the areas of Africa they settled. They are responsible for spreading farming techniques (slash and burn), the use of iron, cattle, as well as language (Swahili). The Bantu migration helped bring about cultural diffusion in a region that was traditionally diverse.

Bantu Migration