Societies & Empires in East & South Africa East Africa Region South African Region

Kush Empire Kush (Nubians) => S of Egypt, beyond 1 st cataract Kush (Nubians) => S of Egypt, beyond 1 st cataract Long controlled by Egypt Long controlled by Egypt Source of many products, slaves Source of many products, slaves 1000 BC – Egypt in decline from “People of the Sea” & Libyan invasion 1000 BC – Egypt in decline from “People of the Sea” & Libyan invasion Kush gains independence and attack Egypt to “liberate” it Kush gains independence and attack Egypt to “liberate” it 751 BC – King Piankhi led army down Nile 751 BC – King Piankhi led army down Nile Captured Egyptian throne Captured Egyptian throne Became 25 th Dynasty Became 25 th Dynasty 671 BC – Assyrians invade, conquer Egypt; Kush retreat up Nile 671 BC – Assyrians invade, conquer Egypt; Kush retreat up Nile

Kush Empire – Meroe Golden Age of Meroe (Mehr- oh-ee)(650 BC-350 AD) Golden Age of Meroe (Mehr- oh-ee)(650 BC-350 AD) Despite loss of Egypt experienced Golden Age Despite loss of Egypt experienced Golden Age Lots of rain – great agriculture Lots of rain – great agriculture Vast amounts of iron ore – Meroe’s ironworkers became most talented in Africa Vast amounts of iron ore – Meroe’s ironworkers became most talented in Africa Trade Center for Nile, Red Sea Trade Center for Nile, Red Sea Strong leaders kept nation safe (Queen Candace vs. Alexander the Great) Strong leaders kept nation safe (Queen Candace vs. Alexander the Great) Decline of Meroe Decline of Meroe Poor leadership led to decline Poor leadership led to decline Rise of Askum (Ax-oom) – defeat Meroe in 350 AD Rise of Askum (Ax-oom) – defeat Meroe in 350 AD Pyramids around Meroe

Kingdom of Askum Background – SE of Kush Background – SE of Kush First kings traced back to Solomon & Queen of Sheba First kings traced back to Solomon & Queen of Sheba Began conquering neighbors, establishing their kingdom Began conquering neighbors, establishing their kingdom Control of Trade Control of Trade Traded from Nile to Red Sea to Med to Indian Ocean Traded from Nile to Red Sea to Med to Indian Ocean Hub of trade for luxuries Hub of trade for luxuries Maintained strong navy – Askum considered world power Maintained strong navy – Askum considered world power King Ezana ( AD) King Ezana ( AD) Converted to Christianity Converted to Christianity Expanded empire by invading Kush Expanded empire by invading Kush Askum considered a world power Askum considered a world power Askum, at greatest extent Askum gold coins, 3d C. AD

Aksum Culture of Aksumites Culture of Aksumites Variety of languages spoken Variety of languages spoken Spread of Christianity after Ezana converted, made it state religion Spread of Christianity after Ezana converted, made it state religion Architecture – used stone to create great palaces, obelisks Architecture – used stone to create great palaces, obelisks Farming - terraced fields Farming - terraced fields Developed written language and coinage Developed written language and coinage Obelisk of Aksum Typical Aksum Architecture (church pictured)

Fall of Aksum Islam on rise, creating caliphate 710 – Islamic invaders capture all Red Sea ports, blocking Aksum from trade routes Christian Aksum was surrounded by the Islamic Empire Isolated geographically, culturally, Aksum was no longer a world power Aksum trade routes (red lines) Glass goblets of Aksum, c. 30 AD

Great Zimbabwe ( ) Rainfall was great for farming, grazing Rainfall was great for farming, grazing Trade routes linked inland to coastal cities Trade routes linked inland to coastal cities Leaders taxed all trade going through region Leaders taxed all trade going through region Demanded tribute from surrounding areas Demanded tribute from surrounding areas Became center of economics, politics in South Became center of economics, politics in South Mysterious decline by 1450s Mysterious decline by 1450s

Stateless Societies Hunter gatherers Hunter gatherers Much of Southern Africa Much of Southern Africa Small lineage (family) groups of 50 or fewer Small lineage (family) groups of 50 or fewer Generally nomadic, moving to a new area when resources ran out Generally nomadic, moving to a new area when resources ran out Men hunt, women gather food Men hunt, women gather food Traded with settled people for needed tools Traded with settled people for needed tools Led by elder male, BUT each group free to make own decisions Led by elder male, BUT each group free to make own decisions Hunter gatherer camp, c (S. African Museum display)

Stateless Societies of Central Africa System of Gov’t based on LINEAGE GROUPS System of Gov’t based on LINEAGE GROUPS LG were descendants from a common ancestor LG were descendants from a common ancestor Power shared among all families so no one had too much power over others Power shared among all families so no one had too much power over others No centralized system of power No centralized system of power Ibo, Tiv, & Nuer were related lineage groups from C Africa Ibo, Tiv, & Nuer were related lineage groups from C Africa Nuer = 250,000 people without a formal ruler Nuer = 250,000 people without a formal ruler Lived in area of South Sudan / West Ethiopia Lived in area of South Sudan / West Ethiopia All resolve disputed by elders from different lineage groups All resolve disputed by elders from different lineage groups Able to defend selves against Europeans during 17 th, 18 th C Able to defend selves against Europeans during 17 th, 18 th C Nuer riding upon his Dinka slave (circa 1930)