Early African Civilizations 1800 B.C. – A.D. 1500

Rain Forest Desert Mild zone Savanna

Aspects of African Society Early history is based on limited evidence –Griots passed down the oral traditions –Bantu, a family of closely related African languages –Music played a big part in culture

Aspects (cont) Lineage groups – Claimed descent from a common ancestor –Elders held a lot of power

Aspects (cont) Many societies were matrilineal (descent traced through the mother) –Women could inherent property –Husband moved into the wife’s house

Merchants received favors, and the king filled his treasury with taxes. They provided mutual support for members. The lineage was based on the mothers.

Religious Beliefs Most African societies believed in one single creator God Diviners –have the power to foretell events –Often employed by the king to contact the supreme god Ancestors and spirits were important

Religious Beliefs (cont) Conversion –Most of North Africa, grasslands south of Sahara, and east Africa had converted to Islam by 15 th century –Christianity was more successful in mountains of Ethiopia

The author is unknown. Wisdom, or learning, cannot be purchased with money. It requires study. Some things or people never change. Crocodiles were native animals of West Africa.

Kush Major trading state Flourished from 250 BC to AD BC conquered Egypt, but were driven out by the Assyrians

Aksum AD 350 conquered Kush King ’Ēzānā converted to Christianity Became the dominant trading state Competed with Muslim states for control of the slave and ivory trades

West Africa Smaller kingdoms Primarily subsistence farming

West Africa (cont) Economy revolved around trade –Gold –Salt –Slaves

Ghana First great trading state in West Africa –Iron and Gold –Blacksmiths were prized Berbers, nomads whose camel caravans were called the “fleets of the desert,” carried the trade across the desert

Mali Captured Ghana in AD 1240 Mansa Mūsā doubled Mali’s size under his rule from AD 1312 to 1337 –Made pilgrimage to Mecca leading approx 60,000 servants and soldiers –Ordered that mosques be built and encouraged the study of the Qur’an