Africa

Geographic Contrasts Second largest continent in the world. Some parts have constant drought Can be land of rocky dust or desert Example: Sahara Desert in North Africa Other parts get 400 inches of rain a year Can be land of lush, green rainforests South Africa has fertile soil and vegetation.

Early African People First Humans appeared in Great Rift Valley Nomadic lifestyle until they learned to domesticate animals Lived in clans Religion included animism – a religion where people believe that spirits are present in animals, plants, and other natural forces.

Great Rift Valley

Kingdom of Aksum Located by the Red Sea = modern day Ethiopia Took over many important areas and became an important center of trade Traded with Egypt, Arabia, Persia, India and the Roman Empire at Aksum’s key sea port called ANDULIS

Trade in Aksum Items traded: salt, rhinoceros horns, tortoise shells, ivory, emeralds, and gold Imported cloth, glass, olive oil, wine, brass, iron and copper

Aksum Religion Traditionally monotheistic God called Mahrem and their king Ezana was a direct descendent of him. Offered sacrifices- animals King Ezana converted to Christianity In 451 A.D., Ethiopia and Egypt with become Orthodox and split from Roman Catholic

Aksumite Architecture Developed unique architecture using stone instead of mud bricks to build palaces and buildings Used NO MORTAR Instead they carved stones to fit together tightly Built huge stone pillars called Stelae to celebrate king’s conquests

Fall of Aksum Aksum lasted for 800 years Fell to invaders who practiced Islam

Africa West African Kingdoms

Ghana

Ghana is the land of gold Two most important trading goods: –1. Gold –2. Salt Gold came from the Savanna Salt deposits were found in the Sahara Desert This important trade of gold and salt took place on the trans-Saharan trade The king was the only one allowed to keep gold nuggets. This way he could keep the price of gold high.

Ghana Gold!

Mali

Like Ghana, Mali became wealthy because of gold. A man name Mansa Musa became leader of Mali. He was a devout Muslim. Because of Mansa Musa, Mali grew to become twice the size of Ghana. The city of Timbuktu became a center of trade and learning because Mansa Musa ordered mosques and universities to be built. Timbuktu is the location of the House of Wisdom

Songhai

After Mali declined, people broke away and formed a new civilization near the Niger river. Two great rulers name: –1. Sunni Ali –2. Askia Muhammad

Songhai Sunni Ali captured the city of Timbuktu. Askia Muhammad was an excellent administrator. He set up an efficient tax system and chose able officials. Later they were taken over by the Moroccans who were fighting with guns.