1. The Bantu
Migration

2. Bantu Migration Create a diagram like this one on your paper. Evidence
Theories for
migration .

3. LEQs:
Who are the Bantu?
What evidence can we look at to support the idea of the Bantu migration?
What physical features would have enticed the Bantu to settle down as they migrated across Africa?

4. Who are the Bantu?
People who originated in region of present-day Cameroon and Nigeria
About 1000 BC a massive migration began
Continued for about 2000 years
Is considered the largest human migration in history

5. Bantu Migration Largest migration in the history of the world
Period of 2000 years

6. What type of evidence might archeologists look at to determine that the people began to move?

7. Evidence of migration…
Linguistic
Pottery
Iron
Mastered sailing technology
Study of languages in Africa show similarities with the mother tougue originally spoken in West Africa. There are some 450 known languages in the Bantu family.
Pottery – similar pottery technology in southern, eastern, and western Africa. Iron Age farmers were skilled pot makers and decorated their pots with grooves and patterns. Related groups of peoples used similar styles of decoration.
There is little or no evidence of iron working in east and south Africa before the arrival of the Bantu suggesting that new technology was spread by the migrants.

8. Based on your own knowledge of other ancient civilizations and migrations, why do you think the Bantu began to migrate?

9. Different theories of migration
Population expansion
Lack of resources
Changes in climate
Finding better places to live

10. Bantu Migration

11. Comparing these two maps, what physical features do you think would have enticed the Bantu to settle down as they migrated across Africa?

12. Fresh water and fertile soil.

13. Make sure your notes include the following …
Bantu Migration
Evidence:
Linguistic
Pottery
Iron
Mastered sailing
Theories for migration:
Climate changes
Population growth
Lack of resources
Better place

14. Who are the Bantu today?
Today they are known more as a language group than as a distinct ethnic group
Today there are more than 60 million people who speak Bantu as their native language.
Swahili is the most widely spoken Bantu language, which is a mixture of Bantu and Arabic languages
They live primarily in the regions that straddle the equator and southward into southern Africa

15. Words to know …
Bantu
Migration
Archaeology
Artifacts
Linguistic

16. Words to know … Entice – to lead on by exciting hope or desire
Bantu – people who migrated from Cameroon throughout central and south Africa … known as largest human migration in history
Migration – the process of moving from one area to another
Archaeology – the study of historic and prehistoric people and cultures
Artifacts – objects produced or shaped by humans and of historical interest
Linguistic – of or belonging to language