1. Chapter 7 Section 1
Section 2

2. Kush and Axum were strong civilizations
Kush and Axum were strong civilizations. Later, Islam would influence Africa.

3. About 800,000 years ago, hunters and gatherers in Africa began to tame animals and grow crops.

4. This was called the Agricultural Revolution.

5. It gave rise to Africa’s first civilizations – Kush and Axum.

6. Kush

7. By 2000BC trade had arisen between Egypt and the area to the South called Nubia.

8. Nubia was subject to Egyptian control for many years
Nubia was subject to Egyptian control for many years. But they freed themselves in 1000BC and became the independent state of Kush.

9. In 750BC, Kush conquered Egypt.

10. But, eventually the Assyrians (armed with better weapons) would drive them out of Egypt. The Kushites would return to the upper Nile valley.

11. Their economy was first based on farming
Their economy was first based on farming. But, soon they would be trading.

12. They would establish a major trading network – providing iron, ivory, gold and slaves to the Roman Empire, Arabia and India.

13. Axum

14. Kush flourished from 250BC-AD150
Kush flourished from 250BC-AD150. It declined because of the rise of Axum.

15. Axum was after ivory and Kush had it. Axum invaded Kush and took over.

16. Axum was located in what is now Ethiopia.

17. Axum was founded by Arabs. It owed its prosperity to the Red Sea.

18. It was on the trade route between India and the Mediterranean.

19. The most distinctive feature of its civilization was its religion.

20. King Ezana (the Axumite ruler) converted to Christianity and made it the Axum religion.

21. Please read the section entitled “Rise of Islam”
Please read the section entitled “Rise of Islam”. Summarize the information in your notes.

22. Did You Know? Chapter 7 Section 2
Mansa Musa, the Islamic ruler was accompanied on his pilgrimage to Makkah by a caravan consisting of 60,000 men and a baggage train of 80 camels, each carrying 300 pounds of gold.

23. THE KINGDOM OF GHANA

24. First of the great West Africa Trading States
First of the great West Africa Trading States. Most people were farmers who lived in villages that together formed the kingdom of Ghana.

25. The Kings of Ghana were strong, wealthy rulers
They governed without any laws
Had a well trained army of thousands of soldiers

26. Ghana prospered from Iron and Gold supplies. Traded gold for salt.
Salt was a highly desired item, was used to preserve food and to improve its taste,
People also needed it to replace what there bodies lost in the hot climate.

27. THE BERBERS
A.K.A.
“fleets of the desert”

28. Camel caravans carried much of the trade across the desert.
Took days to reach their destination
Typically, up to a hundred camels traveled at about three miles an hour.

29. The Kingdome of Mali
Ghana weakened by wars, collapsed during 1100s. The greatest state that arose in its place was Mali.
Sundiata Keita established Mali in the mid 13th century

30. Mansa Musa Doubled Mali’s Size Created strong Central government
Gave gold gifts everywhere he went on his pilgrimage to Makkah.

31. Why would increasing the gold supply dramatically make its value fall?
Question
Why would increasing the gold supply dramatically make its value fall?

32. THE KINGDOM of SONGHAI Kept Kingdom secure with navy and horseback.
Ruled under a Dynasty
Sunni Ali expanded the empire
Captured Timbuktu and Dejenne
Took over control of Salt and Gold Trade.
Muhammad Ture – Empire reached the height of its power.
Kept Kingdom secure with navy and horseback.

33. Migration of the Bantus
South of Axum lived a mixture of people.
See the Map on Page 246

34. They were called the Bantu Society.
Their communities were based on subsistence farming – growing crops for personal use, not for sale
The Bantus also spread iron-smelting techniques across Africa.

35. They eventually began to take part in a regional sea trade up and down the East African coast
Cities popped up along the coast. Merchants in these cities became very rich.

36. Because of the trade between mixed cultures, Swahili emerged
Because of the trade between mixed cultures, Swahili emerged. Swahili is a mixed African Arabian culture.

37. RECAP
Arab traders expanded trade, helping to build African trading ports into great cities. Eventually, a mixed African-Arab culture, called Swahili, emerged.

38. Question
What was the chief mechanism of Islam’s spread through eastern Africa?

39. Reading Comprehension Assignment
With a partner, please read the section entitled, “Societies of South Africa” – page When you are done, work together to write a short summary WITHOUT using your textbook. Try to retain as much information as possible. Take turns writing down ideas and facts of “Societies of South Africa.”

40. Stateless societies Zimbabwe The Great Enclosure Swahili
Key Words from
Societies of South Africa
Stateless societies
Zimbabwe
The Great Enclosure
Swahili

41. SECTION 3
EARLY AFRICA
Religion & Culture

42. Many African societies were matrilineal
Descent was traced through the mother.
Ancestors were a key element in African religion. They were believed to be closer to the gods.

43. Religious Beliefs Rituals were a way to communicate with the gods.
A special class of diviners usually performed the rituals
Diviners believe they have the power to tell the future by working with supernatural forces.

44. Islam was slow to spread in East Africa
Islam’s beliefs conflicted with traditional African beliefs and customs
Islam’s distinct roles for men and women did not fit with the more informal customs of the African cultures.
More converts when upper Swahili class began to convert.

45. Music and Dance Served as religious purposes
Means of communicating with spirits
Music & storytelling was used to pass along a communities history in the absence of written language.