Africa’s Rich History Series of Rich Kingdoms in Sub- Sahara Africa Cradle of Humanity Long list of African Accomplishments & Contributions to human history Centuries before the discovery of the New World, Africa has cities that were centers of trade & technology
Why a Biased History of Africa? 1.Western Historians focused their attention on the history of states- ancient Egypt, Greece! African history- clans, families & tribes 2.Historians relied on written records, stateless society relied on oral traditions 3.Justification of the Slave Trade, African’s were presented as inferior!
2012
Nubian Empire /Kush Nubians, Black Africans that established a civilization that parallel Egyptian society B.C. – 300 A.D. Egyptian Influence- pyramids, Pharohs, adopted Egyptian Hieroglyphics & Egyptian Gods Images Nubian Pyramids at Meroe Egyptian wall painting depicting Nubians taking offerings of gold to Egypt
Kingdom of Axum [ ] Ethiopia traces its origins to this ancient city!
Christian Church, Lalibela [Ethiopia] Christian Empire in Africa
Christian Church, Lalibela [Ethiopia] & Debra Damo Monastery Coptic Christian Priest
AXUM’S ACHIEVEMENTS Controlled NE African Trade Written Language (one of the few) Spread Christianity in No. & E. Africa Terrace Farming Built Stelae
Ethiopian Royalty By 800 AD Aksum had almost ceased to exist. The elite and sections of common people settle in central Ethiopia. Royal authority reigns in Ethiopia until Image is Circa
Other African Empires that students will research! Western African Empires Trading States of East Africa Great Zimbabwe Empire
Berbers GOLD SALT Gold-Salt Trade
+ Gold Salt Trade Western Empires Ghana- the Gold Empire Ghana- the Gold Empire
Mali Empire [13c-15c] GOLD SALT
Outline of Topics to research for the Western Empires?
East African City-States City- States and great trading market and large towns. Traders brought ivory, gold and animal skins from interior of Africa to the coast cities. The trading cities trades with Arabs across the Indian Ocean and in to Asia
Swahili-Speaking Areas of E. Africa SWAHILI [“the coast’] = Bantu + some Arabic
Outline of Topics to research for Eastern Trading States?
Great Zimbabwe [ ] “Zimbabwe” = “stone enclosure”
+ Great Zimbabwe Empire
Outline of Topics to research for the Zimbabwe Empire?
Diviners, healers, ancestor worship & Animism Tells the future, Cowrie shells