Africa and Middle East

Impact of Geography Different and vast terrain has created a huge variety of races, ethnicities and cultures.

A. African Societies by 1500 presentation divided into three parts: –Economic development –Social development –Political development

1. Economic Development Pastoral economies became complex –Pastoral societies included Fulani, Maasai, Somali –Some of these are nomadic or migrant, others settle and build villages or cities A Fulani village in Northern Ghana, 2004 Cattle crossing the road, Northern Ghana, 2004

Economic Development (contd.) Agricultural economies expanded Farmers supplied the food needed by the population Surplus food was brought to the market for exchange A market scene in West Africa

Economic Development (contd.) Manufacturing Africa’s main manufactures –Hides and skins –Metallurgy (iron) –Textile manufacturing and dyeing Kente cloth from Ghana

2. Social Development Each African society had a religious system We call that religion African Traditional Religion (ATR)

ATR Beliefs belief in a Supreme God belief in several divinities or lesser gods, tied to nature belief in ancestors belief in life after death belief in reincarnation

ATR Beliefs (contd.) belief in the spoken word –incantations, sacred songs, etc. belief in prayers belief in sacrifice role of priests, holy men, seers, spirit mediums

Other Religions in Africa Islam in Northern and Sudanese Africa (from Ottoman Expansion) Christianity (from European imperialism) in Northern and Northeastern Africa Judaism (from ancient migration) in Northeastern Africa Mosque in Kaduna, Nigeria

African music music for all occasion –work, naming, marriage, funeral, etc. dance, drama

African Art and Craft African art inspired by religion, kingship, and personal beautification made for upper class and royalty accessible to all Benin ivory mask

African Art (contd.) specialized forms: –sculpture in wood, bronze, brass and stone –painting of homes –body adornments –charms, amulets Ife Bronze figure of a king

3. Political Development Main trends were: rise of empires –Ghana, Mali, Songhai –Kanem, Bornu, Hausa states –Ife, Oyo, Benin, Dahomey, Asante, Kongo division of power rise of nation states

Ghana Empire established by the Soninke people its capital was Kumbi Saleh, a market town it engaged in the caravan trade in gold, kolanuts, salt, captives it was attacked by the Almoravids in 1076 the defeat weakened the empire and it later fell photo shows kolanuts on sale in Djenne, Mali, 2004

Mali Empire established by Mandingo people founded by Sundiata original capital was Niani most prominent city was Djenne like Ghana, it engaged in caravan trade Mali’s famous ruler was Mansa Musa he performed pilgrimage to Mecca, built Sankore mosque in Timbuktu The Grand Mosque of Djenne on a market day

Songhai Empire established by Songhai people founded by Sunni Ali its famous ruler was Askia Muhammad Toure he expanded the empire, performed pilgrimage to Mecca, and made Sankore mosque a university Songhai was destroyed by the Moroccan invaders in Sankore mosque and university, Timbuktu

Other Empires of Western Africa Oyo Empire Segu Tukulor Empire Asante Empire Benin Empire Kongo kingdom Photo: Asante king adorned with gold

Ottoman Empire Muslim Great traders across Europe, N Africa and Asia Sultan was the “landlord” and people left to own beliefs but many convert to Islam. Math, astronomy, sciences, literature, architecture

B. Coming of Europeans to Western Africa

Reasons for European Exploration Europeans came to West Africa in the 15 th century They came for reasons of: Gold God Glory

Effects of European Exploration 1. Trade: gold, ivory, pepper, etc.

Effects (contd.) 2. Kidnapping of millions of Africans along the coast 3. Construction of forts and castles 4. Beginning of trans-Atlantic slave trade. 5. More direct control develops by 1800’s.

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