1. States and Societies of Sub-Saharan Africa
Chapter 18
States and Societies of Sub-Saharan Africa

2. Effects of Early African Migrations
Bantu-speaking peoples settlement south of equator
Spread of agriculture, herding with Bantu migrations
Iron metallurgy after 500 B.C.
Bananas
Domesticated in southeast Asia
Malay seafarers colonized Madagascar, 300–500 C.E.
Introduced bananas, yams, taro, chickens, and southeast Asian cultural traditions
Well-adapted to African climate
Food supply and population increased with this key crop
400 B.C. – 3.5 million
800 C.E.-22 million

3. Kin-Based Societies Stateless, segmented societies
No elaborate hierarchies, bureaucracies
Average population of village: one hundred
Ruled by elders
Network of villages resolved disputes in ad hoc manner
Higher government authorities rare
Served as the political and social structure of Bantu societies

5. Islamic Kingdoms and Empires
Spread of Islam to west Africa
Trans-Saharan caravans
Coastal east Africa through maritime trade ( Indian Ocean Trade)
Profound influence after eighth century
Rulers converted to Islam to establish trade relations
Introduction of Arabian camels revolutionized trade
70–90 days to cross Sahara
15 different saddle types were created by different regions to help increase trade

6. The Kingdom of Ghana Koumbi-Saleh Not related to modern state of Ghana
Developed fourth to fifth century C.E.
Center of African gold trade
Imported from south to Ghana
Taxed selling gold
Also sold ivory, slaves
Koumbi-Saleh
Capital of kingdom of Ghana
Principal trading center
High point ninth to twelfth century
Population 15,000–20,000
Military, cultural center

7. Islam in West Africa Conversion of kings of Ghana, tenth century
Positive impact on trade, relations with north Africa
Local kings did not force their people to convert to Islam
Synthesized Islam with local traditions
Nearby Takrur, aggressive missionaries
13th century Ghana began to be invaded
Led to the collapse of Ghana and remaining territory would be controlled by the emerging kingdom of Mali

9. Sundiata and the creation of the Mali Empire
Fierce, brave, good diplomat
Founder of Mali Empire
Empire of Mali extended over kingdom of Ghana
Neighboring kingdoms as well (Senegal, Gambia)
Took greater advantage of trans-Saharan trade
Controlled and taxed all West African trade
Capital of Niani
Connected to other large cities like Timbuktu and Gao
Nominally Muslim, but did not force conversions
Provided protection and lodging for Muslim merchants

11. Mansa Musa (r. 1312–1337) Grand-nephew of Sundiata, fervent Muslim
Performed hajj in 1324–1325
Constructed numerous mosques
Supported Muslim scholars
Gave out so much gold during the trip, he devalued the currency by 25%
Upon return to Mali, he began building mosques
Sent students to study at Islamic schools
Empire in serious decline within decade after his rule
Will be conquered by the growing Songhay Empire
Mansa Musa introduced centralized government that would be used by the incoming Songhay empire

13. Indian Ocean Trade and Islamic States in East Africa
East African coastal trade weak until second century
Bantu peoples populated much of East Africa
Swahili (“coasters”) engaged in trade with Arabs
Language a form of Bantu, influenced by Arabic
Tenth century, increased trade and communication
Introduction of the Swahili language
All the goods from West Africa were shipped from East African Swahili ports
The Swahili City-States
Great wealth, eleventh to twelfth centuries C.E.
Development of city-states
Architecture moved from wood/mud to coral, stone
Chinese silk, porcelain imported

14. Kilwa City-state on east African coast
Fishing, limited trade, 800–1000 C.E.
Turned to agriculture, increased trade in pottery and stoneware
Major trading center by fourteenth century
Exported over a ton of gold per year by fifteenth century C.E.
Chinese porcelain has been dug up
Ibn Battuta visited in 1331 and wrote about the wealth of Kilwa

16. Zimbabwe Islam in East Africa “Dwelling of the chief”
Modern day Zimbabwe and Mozambique
Stone complex called “Great Zimbabwe” built early thirteenth century C.E., capital
Population 18,000 in late fifteenth century
Managed trade between internal and coastal regions
Allowed for local alliances to be formed
Similar to the alliances formed in the Mali Empire due to Tran Saharan trade
Islam in East Africa
Ruling elites in east Africa accepted Islam without forcing general population to convert
Often retained pagan religious traditions and practices
Islam served as social glue with other merchants, states

17. Arabian Society and Cultural Development
Some kingdoms, empires, city-states with well-defined classes
Ruling elites
Merchant class
Peasant class
Other areas in sub-Saharan Africa continued to use traditional kin-based groups
Kinship Groups
Extended families, clans
Idea of private property less prevalent
Land held communally
Harvests distributed by elders

18. Sex and Gender Relations
Men worked with specialized skills
Tanning, iron work
Heavy labor
Both sexes worked in agriculture
Male rule more common, but some expanded roles for women
Merchants, some military activity
Islamic norms slow to penetrate African society
Age Grades
From early agricultural period, Sudan
Peer groups of single age cohort
Crossed lines of family and kinship

19. Slavery Practiced since ancient times (this is before Trans-Atlantic)
Most slaves captives of war
Debtors
Criminals
Used principally in agricultural labor
Slaves a form of personal wealth, social status
Slave trade stimulated by increased trans-Saharan and Indian Ocean trade, ninth century C.E.
Africa replaced eastern Europe as principal source of slaves
Slave raiding became increasingly prominent
More powerful states attacked smaller kinship-based groups
10,000–20,000 slaves per year

20. The Zanj Revolt
Slaves from Swahili coast exported to work in Mesopotamia
Sugarcane plantations
Salt deposits
869 C.E., revolt of 15,000 slaves mounted by slave Ali bin Muhammad
Capture of Basra
Later crushed by Abbasids

21. African Religion Great diversity of religious belief
Common element: single male creator god
Lesser deities associated with natural phenomena
Ancestor worship
Diviners
Religious specialists, principally men
Oracle reading, spells, other rituals
Limited emphasis on theology
Morality, balance of nature important
Although Islam is heavily introduced by trade and leaders, most Africans kept traditional religions with blended Islamic values

22. Early Christianity in North Africa
First century: popular in Egypt, north Africa
Initially weak in sub-Saharan Africa
Christian Kingdom of Axum, fourth century C.E.
Ethiopia
Merchants, then kings convert
Bible translated into Ethiopian
Isolated during Islamic period; renaissance during twelfth century C.E.
Massive churches carved out of solid rock

23. Ethiopian Christianity
Isolation from other Christian areas until 16th century
Independent development
Strong African influence
Spirit world
Amulets