Africa SOL 10d

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 Axum 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 Axum’s key sea port called ANDULIS

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

Axum 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 become Orthodox and split from Roman Catholic

Axumite 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 Axum Axum lasted for 800 years Fell to invaders who practiced Islam

Great Zimbabwe Located between the Zambezi and Limpopo rivers and the Indian Ocean coast City of “Great Zimbabwe” as capital of a prosperous empire Zimbabwe means “stone houses” Center of extensive trade network, reached India and China Height between 900 and 1500 a.d.