1. Section 5: Africa

2. Introduction African civilizations-sub-Saharan west and east Africa
Trade- economic, cultural, and religious influences
States and empires flourished in Africa during the medieval period: Ghana, Mali, and Songhai in west Africa, Axum in east Africa, and Zimbabwe in southeastern Africa

3. Kush

4. Location
South of Egypt
between first cataract and fork of Nile

5. Adoption of Egyptian culture
language
religion
culture and clothing

6. Aksum (Axum)

7. Location Ethiopian Highlands and the Nile River
Conquered Kush and northern Ethiopia
Located on trade routes

8. Christian kingdom Religion initially polytheistic with nature spirits
Converted to Christianity

9. Zimbabwe

10. Location
Zambezi and Limpopo rivers and the Indian Ocean coast

11. Great Zimbabwe
City of “Great Zimbabwe”-capital of a prosperous empire-Became economic, political, & religious center
Controlled trade routes
Adopted Islam

12. West African Kingdoms

13. Introduction
Ghana, Mali, and Songhai empires (Niger River and the Sahara)
gold and salt (trans-Saharan trade)

14. Ghana

15. Location
Central western Africa-North of Niger river and South of Saharan desert

16. Gold for Salt trade Gold (between Niger and Senegal rivers)
Salt (region lacked salt) from Saharan desert
Established trans-Saharan trade routes from North Africa to sub-Saharan Africa

18. Islamic influences Spread – through trade
Conversion-rulers and upper class converted

19. Polytheistic Beliefs
animism – spirits living in plants, animals, & natural forces influenced daily life
observed by lower classes

20. Mali

21. Location
South of Sahara, Southern border both sides of Niger river

22. Gold-salt trade
Mali built wealth on gold and found new deposits to the east

23. Mansa Musa Controlled salt trade
Divided empire into provinces and appointed governors

24. Effects of Hajj
Mansa Musa went on Hajj
spread Islam throughout region

25. Timbuktu
became important city
center of trade and learning

26. Songhai

27. Location
South of Saharan desert, Southern border both sides of Niger river, Furthest east along Niger river

28. Gold for salt trade
Continued trade and spread of Islam across Sahara

29. Directions: Draw the table below in your notes and fill it in
Kush
Aksum
Zimbabwe
Ghana
Mali
Songhai
Location
Religion
Trade