3. African Societies: Diversity and Similarities Although Africans shared language and belief, their large continent’s vast size made diversity inevitable. Political forms varied from hierarchical to "stateless" societies organized on kinship principles Both centralized and decentralized forms existed Christianity and Islam sometimes influenced Stateless Societies The main weakness of stateless societies was their delayed ability to respond to outside pressures, mobilize for war, undertake large building projects, or create stability for long distance trade.

4. Common Elements in African Societies Bantu speakers gave a common linguistic base for much of Africa. Animistic religion, a belief in natural forces personified as gods, was common, with well-developed concepts of good and evil. African economies were extremely diversified. North Africa was integrated into the world economy, but sub-Saharan regions had varying structures. Settled agriculture and iron-working were present international trade increased in some regions, mainly toward the Islamic world. In general Africans exchanged raw materials for manufactured goods.

6. FIX THIS IN YOUR NOTES WHI.10d – East African kingdoms of Axum and Zimbabwe and west African civilizations of Ghana, Mali, and Songhai in terms of geography, society, economy, and religion.

7. Big Picture Ideas African civilizations developed in sub-Saharan west and east Africa. Trade brought important economic, cultural, and religious influences to African civilizations from other parts of the Eastern Hemisphere. States and empires flourished in Africa during the medieval period, including Ghana, Mali, and Songhai in west Africa, Axum in east Africa, and Zimbabwe in southeastern Africa.

8. Big Picture Question What were the characteristics of civilizations in sub-Saharan Africa during the medieval period? Define medieval period: Refers to the Middle Ages in Europe (from the 5 th century – 15 th century)

9. Axum Location relative to the Ethiopian Highlands and the Nile River Christian kingdom

10. Christian: Nubia & Ethiopia Reached Africa before Rome’s conversion Coptic (Egypt & Nubia) translated the gospels into their language & were tolerated Ethiopia—Remained isolated and independent

11. Bet Giorgis, a 12th century Rock-Hewn church in Ethiopia

12. MAP TIME!!!!!!!!!

15. FACTS for AXUM Look at the facts for Axum. After each, write information we have already learned in this class that is related or similar to the fact.

16. FACTS for AXUM Axum controlled territory along the Red Sea - prospered from trade

17. FACTS for AXUM Defeated the Kingdom of Kush

18. FACTS for AXUM Traded w/Rome, India, Persia, & Egypt

19. FACTS for AXUM 330CE - king of Axum converted to Christianity & declared it to be the official religion of the nation.

20. FACTS for AXUM Muslim raiders and bandits attacked – Axum became smaller, and less influential.

21. FACTS for AXUM Gradually, the people of Axum began calling their kingdom Ethiopia.

22. Tall Tale Read the Tall Tale excerpt and answer the two questions.

23. Zimbabwe Video: Why is very little known about life in ancient Zimbabwe? Give as many specifics as possible. What is known about ancient Zimbabwe?

25. Zimbabwe Video: Why is very little known about life in ancient Zimbabwe? Give as many specifics as possible. What is known about ancient Zimbabwe?

26. Zimbabwe Location relative to the Zambezi and Limpopo rivers and the Indian Ocean coast City of “Great Zimbabwe” as capital of a prosperous empire

27. Great Zimbawe

28. MAP TIME!!!!!!

31. Who is the richest man to ever live?

32. Sundiata, Lion Prince of Mali as told by griots

33. Read Mansa Musa: The Muslim King of Mali and answer the following questions: 1) What civilization had a government similar to that of Mali? What was the purpose of Mali’s government structure? 2) What civilization had trade routes similar to the Trans- Sahara trade route? What were the similarities? 3) Describe the traditional African religion. 4) In at least one paragraph describe Mansa Musa’s trip to Mecca. Which pillar(s) of Islam was (were) demonstrated during his trip?

34. Kingdom of Grasslands Camel caravans couldn’t survive in the forests so the Sahel became a point of exchange Sudanic State—Mali Mansa Musa 1312-1337 *pilgrimage *brought back scholars *trade protection *cosmopolitan court life *tolerant *gold, salt, dates— The hoe and the bow— symbols of the common

36. West Africa video At the bottom of the page write Ghana, Mali, and Songhai. After each empire write down important information (i.e., leaders, how they became rich, how they ended, religion, etc.)

37. Ghana Mali Songhai

39. Ghana Mali Songhai

40. West African kingdoms Location of Ghana, Mali, and Songhai empires relative to Niger River and the Sahara Importance of gold and salt to trans-Saharan trade City of Timbuktu as center of trade and learning Roles of animism and Islam

41. MAP TIME!!!!!!

45. Swahili Coast of East Africa Indian Ocean trade (Mozambique and Horn) Contact with China, India, SE Asia, Middle East Class Division Merchants tended to be Muslim Rulers tended to speak Arabic Town residents were influenced by Islam, but most of the general population remained tied to traditional ways.

47. The Mixture of Cultures on the Swahili Coast The expansion of Islamic influence in the Indian Ocean region facilitated commerce. It built a common bond between rulers and trading families, and allowed them to operate under the cover of a common culture. Apart from rulers and merchants, most of the population, even in the towns, retained African beliefs. A dynamic culture developed, using Swahili (Combination of Arabic and Bantu) as its language, and incorporating African and Islamic practices. Lineage passed through both maternal and paternal lines.