Chapter 15: Societies & Empires in Africa Organized in diverse ways to meet political, economic & social needs varied climate & topography influenced how each community developed

How did Geography & Climate influence Development in Africa? Great variety Climate Topography Landforms

North & Central African Societies: Hunter-Gatherer Oldest in world Still around but very small percentage of population unique languages, unique hunting techniques Semi-nomadic Few possessions Provide clues about ancient times

“Stateless” Societies South of Sahara Power not centralized; shifts over generations Based on lineage groups not individual ruler Family groups based on common ancestor Living members Past generations Future generations Strong loyalty balance authority among lineages of equal power may be patri-lineal matri-lineal Men usually hold positions of authority

Muslim States Islam spread across N. Africa- Rulers converted Government based on Islamic Law (Sharia) Muslim rulers relied on religious scholars as government advisors

Islamic Law Religious obligation to follow the law Sharia Law regulates all aspects of life Brought stability, wealth but not uniformity

Berbers Desert, mountain dwellers Indigenous to N. Africa Accepted Islam Maintained Berber Identity Almoravids & Almohads found empires that united N. Africa (Maghrib)

Impact of Berber Rule Spread N. African culture Stability & order Unity through Islamic teaching North/South Trade flourished

West African Civilizations Three powerful empires flourished in West Africa in Sahel-the savanna region just south of the Sahara Grew strong by controlling trade

Empire of Ghana Around 200 AD, trade across Sahara was infrequent Berbers began to use camels Travel great distance without water Taxed trade-grew wealthy

Gold-Salt Trade Arab & Berber traders crossed desert w/salt, cloth, weapons, manufactured goods African traders brought gold north Merchants met in trade cities, exchanged goods, officials collected tax & ensured fair weights and provided protection from bandits

Land of Gold By 800, Ghana was an empire King controlled trade, large army, demanded taxes & gifts from chiefs of surrounding lands King controlled supply of gold, kept price high King was religious leader, judge, military commander Head of government bureaucracy

Islamic Influences Islam spread through trade Ghana’s rulers/elites converted to Islam Common people kept traditional beliefs/practices Islam spread literacy Ghana lost power when Almoravids disrupted gold-salt trade

Empire of Mali By 1235 the kingdom of Mali had emerged Its founders were Mande-speaking people, who lived south of Ghana. Mali’s wealth was also built on gold

Sundiata Conquers an Empire A powerful king named Sundiata ruled Mali from around 1230-1255 AD. He became known as a mansa, or emperor He led the people in conquering & expanding his kingdom to be as great as Ghana had been

Mansa Musa Expands Mali (1312-1337) Greatest king of Mali developed gold/salt trade- kingdom became very powerful & rich Made hajj to Mecca-upon return built many mosques in Timbuktu Attracted Muslim judges, doctors, religious leaders scholars

Ibn Battuta: 1352 Muslim legal scholar Traveled throughout Muslim world -27 years Wrote a journal Praised people of Mali for their study of Qur’an Criticized lack of strict practice (women did not veil) Within 50 years, gold trade shifted to new fields in East Mali weakened

Empire of Songhai As Mali declined, Songhai east built an army & extended territory-gained control of trade routes. Gao was the capital.

Songhai’s Powerful Muslim Leaders Askia Muhammad -stable government -Encouraged learning Sunni Ali -Built a professional army

Other Peoples of West Africa: Hausa City-States Named for spoken language Rulers depended on crops of farmers, traded salt, grain, cotton cloth Profit from caravans Slave trade thrived as well Rivalry, conflict prevented creation of empire

Other Peoples of West Africa: Yoruba Kingdoms Forest dwellers United by language King was religious and political leader Secret group limited kings power-reviewed his decisions

Other Peoples of West Africa: Benin Forest dwellers King claimed legitimacy from “first king of life” Powerful army controlled large area Built walls around Benin City, broad streets Huge palace w/courtyards Sophisticated metalworkers

Eastern African City-States: Trade Creates Power/Wealth

East Coast Trade Cities Villages developed into trade cities By 1100 Bantu-speaking peoples migrated across central Africa Trade developed between East African merchants & traders from Arabia, Persia & India Muslim Arab & Persian traders settled in these port cities Arabic blended w/ Bantu language; created Swahili By 1300, 35 trading cities thrived Grew wealthy by controlling all trade

Kilwa In 1331, Ibn Battuta visited Admired all aspects of society Strategic location led to great power & wealth Conquered by Portuguese in 1488

Islamic Influences Growth of commerce caused Islam to spread Even small towns had mosques Ruler, government officials, & merchants were Muslim Majority held to traditional beliefs

Muslim Enslavement of Africans not prohibited by Islam Slaves acquired by kidnapping, war Relatively small percentage Used for heavy labor on docks, ships, soldiers & household servants

Southern Africa & Great Zimbabwe Southeast Africa Established by Shona people Built on gold trade to Sofala By 1450, abandoned due to overgrazing, overuse of soil, salt, timber Mutapa Empire took its place