STATES & SOCIETIES OF SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA

 Identify evidence of the Post- Classical themes in the reading on the west African kingdom of Songhai.

  1. Overall geographic expansion with more specific civilization centers included.   2. Diffusion of religions/philosophies such as Christianity, Buddhism and Islam.   3. Inter-regional economic & cultural exchange linking Africa, Asia & Europe.   4. The restoration of political order.

 Early Migrations  Islamic Kingdoms  African Society

Bantu migration t/o Africa  Spreads language  Agriculture Yams, sorghum, millet Yams, sorghum, millet Bananas from Asia (500CE) Bananas from Asia (500CE)  food supply  food supply  population  population  Iron tools  land for farming Effects of Early migrations Trade routes & Bantu migrations

Political Organisation Kin-based society (aka called "stateless society") family and kinship groups Village council = male family heads Chief = most prominent family head A group of villages = district Villages chiefs negotiated inter-village affairs Chiefdoms  Population  strained resources &  conflict Some organize military forces, 1000 C.E. Powerful chiefs imposed authority & conquered other regions Masai Chief & Family, Kenya

Kingdom of Kongo  Villages formed small states along Congo River, c C.E.  Small states formed several larger principalities, 1200 C.E.  War between states  kingdom of Kongo  Highly centralized bureaucracy  Divided into 6 provinces  Uniform currency (cowrie shells)  Lasted to mid-17th century  Developed trade relationship w/Portuguese  Slavers undermine kingdom in 17th century

Trans-Saharan trade and Islamic states in west Africa Kingdoms of ancient Africa  After 300 C.E. camels quickened pace of trans-Saharan trade  Islamic merchants crossed desert and established relations  Ghana long established kingdom  Dominant empire in W. Africa  Koumbi-Saleh capital & one of many wealthy commercial cities  Extensive gold trade  Spread Islam to locals  Ex. Kings of Ghana convert to Islam in 10 th century CE

 Mansa Musa, Sundiata's grandnephew (reigned C.E.)  Made his pilgrimage to Mecca in with huge caravan  Upon return to Mali, built mosques  Sent students to study with distinguished Islamic scholars in northern Africa  Established Islamic schools in Mali  Decline of Mali due to factions and military pressure from neighbors and nomads  The Songhay empire replaced Mali by the late fifteenth century Alliances w/other tribes to gain power Controlled & taxed most trans-Saharan Mali linked to north Africa w/  caravans Many prosperous cities on trade routes ex. Niani, Gao, Timbuktu, Jenne, ex. Niani, Gao, Timbuktu, Jenne, Muslim, but tolerated other religions Seen as benevolent & just ruler Extolled by griots as model for great African ruler Sundiata, Lion Prince of Mali ( CE)

Mansa Musa, Mali (r )  High point of Mali Empire  Devout Muslim  Intolerant of other beliefs  Following return from hajj to Mecca  Built mosques & madrasas to spread Islam t/o Mali  Sent students to study w/scholars  Expanded the empire of Mali  Mali Empire collapses by 15th century  Ineffective central govt  Provinces secede  External threat & pressures  Succeeded by the Songhay Empire Mansa Musa’s world. Stories around his pilgrimage claim his generosity caused a devaluation of gold.

The Indian Ocean trade and Islamic states in east Africa   The Swahili city-states   Chiefs  power via tax on trade   Control flow of ports   Ports  city-states governed by kings during 11 th & 12 th centuries   Kilwa: dominant city-state on east coast   Built multi-story residences   Used common currency   Exported gold, ivory   Imported textiles, jewels, porcelain   Numerous mosques   Ravaged by jerk-face Portuguese in 1331 Kilwa (Quiloa in Latin)

Zimbabwe  Erected large city (c. 18,000) to serve as capital  Rulers controlled flow of gold, ivory, slaves, etc. to coast  Benefited from maritime trade in Indian Ocean as W. Africa did from trans-Saharan trade Great Zimbabwe