Early East Africa

The Kingdom of Aksum

Rise of Aksum South of Kush on Red Sea South of Kush on Red Sea Located on a Coastal plain Located on a Coastal plain Spoke Ge’ez Spoke Ge’ez 1 of 1 st written 1 of 1 st written languages of Africa

Aksum Rich farmland Rich farmland Grew wheat and barley Grew wheat and barley Controlled Red Sea trade Controlled Red Sea trade Strong navy Strong navy Traders from inland brought gold, ivory, and slaves Traders from inland brought gold, ivory, and slaves Used money Used money By 300 C.E. Aksum grew wealthy

King Ezana Conquered the Kush in 350 C.E. Conquered the Kush in 350 C.E. Converted to Christianity Converted to Christianity Made it official religion Made it official religion

Decline 600s C.E. Muslims begin to invade 600s C.E. Muslims begin to invade 700s Muslims conquer territory around Aksum 700s Muslims conquer territory around Aksum Including Aksum’s port city of Adulis Including Aksum’s port city of Adulis People of Aksum retreated to Ethiopian Highlands

Rise of Ethiopia 1100s C.E. remainders of Aksum est. new Kingdom 1100s C.E. remainders of Aksum est. new Kingdom Zagwe Dynasty Zagwe Dynasty

Kingdom of Ethiopia

~1150 Zagwe Dynasty King Lalibela built the churches carved from rock King Lalibela built the churches carved from rock

1270 –1974 Solomonid Dynasty Fought religious wars to conquer Islamic and Jewish territory (Beta Israel and Muslim Kingdom of Adal) Fought religious wars to conquer Islamic and Jewish territory (Beta Israel and Muslim Kingdom of Adal)

Eastern Africa City-States The Indian Ocean Monsoons blow from the southwest from April to October and from the northeast from October to April. The Indian Ocean Monsoons blow from the southwest from April to October and from the northeast from October to April. Trade network developed Trade network developed B/w India and East Africa B/w India and East Africa

Ports become wealthy Mogadishu Mogadishu Mombasa Mombasa Kilwa Kilwa Sofala Sofala

Trade From India/China Glassware Porcelain Silk cotton From Africa Coconut oil Copper Leopard skins Ivory Gold Slaves

Swahili Blending of African and Islamic Culture Ex: Language: Bantu + Arabic = Swahili Architecture

Great Zimbabwe Interior of Africa ~1100s Middleman of Africa Located between gold mines/ivory hunters And Port cities

Great Zimbabwe Minimal info from archeological digs Disappeared about 1400 Replaced by the Mutapa Empire (to the North) in 1400s

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Ghana ~3 rd Century CE become wealthy off taxing the trade of gold for salt Islam adopted ~ 10 th Century

Fall of Ghana Invaded and weakened CE Invaded and weakened CE By 13 th Century overrun By 13 th Century overrun

Mali tttt tttt Founded by Sundiata, leader of a tribe who broke away from Ghana Economic foundation was agriculture, as well as gold mines

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Mansa Musa Ruler of Mali known for his Hajj Brought the attention of the world to Mali

Architecture and Timbuktu Islamic Architects come to Mali and create unique style Islamic Architects come to Mali and create unique style Timbuktu becomes a great city of 50,000+ with a famous Mosque, University and Library Timbuktu becomes a great city of 50,000+ with a famous Mosque, University and Library

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Songhay Songhay became independent ~7 th Century Gold discovered in western forests = powerful Songhay Sunni Ali est. Empire (late 15 th century) Muhammad The Great expands empire

Invaded and defeated by a Moroccan Army (that had Muskets) in 1591 Invaded and defeated by a Moroccan Army (that had Muskets) in 1591 Empire splinters and collapses Empire splinters and collapses Legacy of Islam in West Africa Legacy of Islam in West Africa