1. Forestlands-Coastal & Central Africa: Benin Few records of southern forest & Sudanic savannah kingdoms Benin=best example Edo speakers Practiced patrilineal primogeniture  authority is age- based Village was political unit (BELOW: Benin City) Kingdom originated by neighboring Ife prince Edo King called oba, Ife ruler called uzama

2. Benin King Ewuare brought Benin to importance in 15 th century  built capital, est. government with chiefs & council, wars of expansion Over time obas became religious rather than military rulers Obas chosen by uzamas

3. Benin Art Lasting significance lies in court art  brass, bronze, terra-cotta, ivory sculptures LEFT:The Oba was considered to be divine & serves as the link between the spiritual and the physical realms. The Oba was often symbolized by the mudfish, a creature able to leave the water & survive on land as well as deliver an electric shock.

4. Europeans arrive on the Coast Trade with Europe & Americas characterizes 1500-1800 Europeans name coastal regions and import American food crops

5. Europeans in Sengambia In west Africa, 1 st region affected by European trade Near Sengal & Gambia rivers Maritime trade in gold, salt, cotton, hides & copper 1/3 of all Africa slaves exported during the 16 th century came from Senegambia (focus shifts SE) Region came to be dominated by Portuguese & British (Gamia River) & French (Senegal River)

6. Europeans on the Gold Coast After 1500, outlet for gold After 1600, European companies built forts to protect trade Traded in gold, kola nuts, brought American maize & cassava Slavery not big business until late 17 th century, then disrupted mining Gold Coast

7. Europeans in Central Africa Swamps north, rain forests west, highlands east, deserts south  impeded trade & contact until 1500 Portuguese looked for gold & silver, took ivory, palm cloth & slaves for sugar plantations on nearby island, Sao Thomé & Brazil In 1640s Dutch traders brought slaves to Caribbean

8. Europeans in Kongo Major state that dealt with Portuguese in central Africa Located on fertile Zaire River valley Kingdom based on tax & tribute, divine king By 1600 ½ size England (weaving, pottery, salt, fish, metals) Traded for luxury textiles, tobacco, alcohol from north for slaves Portuguese did proselytize @ 1 st then focused on slavery alone

9. Kongo Early 16 th century Kongo ruler King Affonso I was a Christian convert who welcomed Jesuit missionaries (BELOW: his baptism) Tried to curb exploitative slaving practices by corresponding with Portuguese king Lost ½ empire to slavery  local leaders dealt with Portuguese traders directly Struggle for authority led to fragmentation of empire & withdrawal of Portuguese Revival in 17 th century of strong Christian monarchs

10. Angola 1575 became 1 st white colonial enterprise in black Africa Portuguese tried & failed to colonize & “civilize” region (Dutch briefly interested) Heavy slaving  depopulation, trade in American goods Relationship devastated the region Angola finally independent in 1975