African Societies Africans shared aspects of language and belief Large continent led to cultural diversity “Stateless” societies Organized on kinship and lacked central power

Stateless Societies Controlled by lineages or age sets Lacked concentrated authority structures Strengths and weaknesses Outside pressure Mobilize for war Undertake large building projects Create stability for long distance trade.

Commonalities Bantu speakers gave a common linguistic base Animistic religion Guide to ethical behavior Deity whose power was expressed through lesser spirits and ancestors

Economy North Africa part of world economy Sub-Saharan had varying structures Settled agriculture and iron-working were present International trade developed with Islam Market life important Exchanged raw materials for manufactured goods.

Islam in North Africa Part of the classical Mediterranean civilization 7 th C. Muslim armies pushed westward from Egypt. Cross into Spain Conversion was rapid, but divided North Africa into competing Muslim states Indigenous Berbers part of the process

Islam in North Africa 11 C. Almoravids of the western Sahara controlled lands extending between the savanna and into Spain 12 C. the Almohads succeeded them With its principle of equality, Islam wins out in Africa

Islam in North Africa Unity of political and religious worlds appealed to many rulers Social disparities continued and stimulated later reform movements

Christian Kingdoms Present before the arrival of Islam Ethiopia and Egypt Egyptian Christians (Coptic) had a rich and independent tradition. Oppression by Byzantine Christians caused them to welcome Muslim invaders Coptic influence spread into Nubia (Kush)

Christian Kingdoms Nubians resisted Muslim incursions until the 13 C. Ethiopian successors to Christian Axum formed their state during the 13 C. and 14 C. Ethiopia remains Christian