Sub Saharan Africa

 AD-Ethiopia threatened by Muslims, isolated from Christian Europe  AD Bantu migrations across Sub-Saharan Africa  1000 AD-Islam established south of Sahara  1250’s C.E.- Zimbabwes built (stone houses)  1260 C.E.- Ife Ife (Yoruba) create terra cotta and bronze statues  C.E.- Mansa Musa’s pilgrimage to Mecca  Swahili cities set up along Indian Ocean coast

 Compared to other civilizations we’ve studied, how soon did Africa develop civilizations of its own?

 1000 AD-Islam established south of Sahara  1200’s AD- Mali Empire rises  1400’s A.D.-Songhai Empire rises

 Slow advance of Islam across West Africa  Independence of Ethiopia (NEVER conquered)  Sea trade along East Coast with Islamic Empires and India)  Trans-Saharan trade (including slaves)

 What kinds of interactions did Sub-Saharan Africa have with other civilizations?

Djenne, Mali (mosque) Music (communication) Great Zimbabwe Bronze sculpture from Benin

 What were some of the major themes seen in early Sub-Saharan African art?

 Most languages derive from Bantu  Few records until after Muslims brought writing to Africa.  Islam INFLUENCED but didn’t REPLACE ancient customs  Griots- storytellers  High social rank  Whole inter-generational groups helped tell stories to pass on history

 Cattle = wealth  Lack of written history means that it is harder to study than other civilizations  Slave trade relocated millions of Africans worldwide, also distributed culture  African traditions affect how American culture is transmitted  Islamic influence still evident across Africa

 Would you say it is harder or easier to see the influence of Sub-Saharan African civilizations in the world today? Why?