1. Africa: Fight for your rights

2. Why is Africa so poor?
Why is Africa so underdeveloped?

3. African Civilization and the Spread of Islam
Why should we care about africa
What is the state of Africa

4. Overview

5. African Traits Very complex societies-”Can’t Generalize”
Distinct cultures => lack of unity
Not known for empires or religions = stateless
Secret societies limit powers of rulers
Veneration of ancestors and gods
Bantu,animism, witchcraft, creator diety

6. Lack of “Organization”…
=> formation of states (p.186)

7. The rise of Islam Islam spreads through north Africa
The message of Islam is popular
11th century-Berbers (Almoravids) form puritanitcal reform movement in Spain and western and southern Sahara
1130-Almohadis follow same pattern
Spread through trade at first followed by invading armies

8. https://maps. google. com/maps

9. Key Features Islam offered many attractions within Africa (p. 187)
Equality
Belief in uniting powers of the state

10. Ghana Formed around 3rd century 8th century active in trade (gold)
10th century height of its power. Ghana rulers convert to Islam
1076 Ghana invaded by Almoravids

11. Map of Kingdom of Ghana

12. Map of Modern Day Ghana

13. Mali Empire 13th century Malinke people (from Ghana)
Kingship reinforced by Islam
Malinke merchants (juula) carry out trade
Sundiata (great leader) unified Mali empire
Griots professional historians
Agriculture economic basis, gold is also important
Crime severely punished (protects merchants)

14. Map of Mali Empire

15. Map of Modern Day Mali

16. Songhay Empire Formed after Mali Empire (7th century)
Rulers become Muslim
Most population pagan
Sunni Ali most effective leader ( )-Songhay gains imperial status
Defied Muslim authority

17. Map of Songhai Empire

19. Swahili Kingdom Dotted with various ethnic groups
Immigration from 200 B.C.E C.E.
String (several) of Islamicized African ports-located along east coat of Africa
African customs and Bantu Swahili language remain strong
8th and 9th century people from Oman and Persian Gulf arrive => ZENJ

20. By 13th century several east African trading ports were well established
Kilwa (p. 196) most famous port (13th-15th century)
Social stratification very pronounced
Portuguese arrive 1500 C.E. => decline begins

22. Yoruba, Benin, Congo, Great Zimbabwe
Origin unclear (500 B.C.E.-200 C.E.) based on artifacts found at Nok
Agricultural, used iron tools
Rich artistic tradition
Ile-Ife main city (p. 197)
Ruled by family and an aristocracy
Organized into small city-states
Non-Bantu language

23. Benin
Emerged in the 14th century
Edo people also with rich artistic tradition
Ewuare the Great ( )
Contact with Portuguese in 1485 but remained relatively free
Important commercially until 19th century