1. Early African Civilizations Up to 1500 AD

2. Geography of Africa Deserts cross the continent above & below the equator Sahara equal to ¼ of continent, & roughly equal to size of USA Equatorial region is Tropical rain forest Large rivers provide transportation routes Deserts cross the continent above & below the equator Sahara equal to ¼ of continent, & roughly equal to size of USA Equatorial region is Tropical rain forest Large rivers provide transportation routes

4. The Basics Religion –Animism –Lead by “Shamans” or healers Religion –Animism –Lead by “Shamans” or healers Society –Matrilineal or Matriarchal (female based) –Lived in clan or tribal units with extended families (parents, grandparents, aunts/uncles, etc.) –Traditional (agricultural) economy –Griots (storytellers) passed down history through oral tales Society –Matrilineal or Matriarchal (female based) –Lived in clan or tribal units with extended families (parents, grandparents, aunts/uncles, etc.) –Traditional (agricultural) economy –Griots (storytellers) passed down history through oral tales

5. Nok –Lived along Niger River from 500 BC until 200 AD –Farmers –First African iron workers –Made terra cota (red clay) sculptures –Oldest Known culture in West Africa Nok –Lived along Niger River from 500 BC until 200 AD –Farmers –First African iron workers –Made terra cota (red clay) sculptures –Oldest Known culture in West Africa

6. Bantu Background: –originally lived in Congo region –Elected their king –Broke territory into provinces –Descendants of the Nok Background: –originally lived in Congo region –Elected their king –Broke territory into provinces –Descendants of the Nok Achievements: –Migrated throughout most of southern Africa in search of better farmland –Spread their language –Traded slaves with Portuguese Achievements: –Migrated throughout most of southern Africa in search of better farmland –Spread their language –Traded slaves with Portuguese

7. Kush (1300BC – 150 AD) Began in city of Kerma, in area of Egypt known as NubiaBegan in city of Kerma, in area of Egypt known as Nubia Trade center, link between Red Sea & NileTrade center, link between Red Sea & Nile Around 710BC conquered EgyptAround 710BC conquered Egypt Beaten by Assyrians 592BCBeaten by Assyrians 592BC Reformed around city of MeroeReformed around city of Meroe Center of culture (and cultural diffusion)Center of culture (and cultural diffusion) Began in city of Kerma, in area of Egypt known as NubiaBegan in city of Kerma, in area of Egypt known as Nubia Trade center, link between Red Sea & NileTrade center, link between Red Sea & Nile Around 710BC conquered EgyptAround 710BC conquered Egypt Beaten by Assyrians 592BCBeaten by Assyrians 592BC Reformed around city of MeroeReformed around city of Meroe Center of culture (and cultural diffusion)Center of culture (and cultural diffusion) Kush

8. Closely tied to the Kush of EgyptClosely tied to the Kush of Egypt Controlled trade in regionControlled trade in region Quickly adopted ChristianityQuickly adopted Christianity Developed a written languageDeveloped a written language Agriculture based economyAgriculture based economy Traded basics for luxury goodsTraded basics for luxury goods Closely tied to the Kush of EgyptClosely tied to the Kush of Egypt Controlled trade in regionControlled trade in region Quickly adopted ChristianityQuickly adopted Christianity Developed a written languageDeveloped a written language Agriculture based economyAgriculture based economy Traded basics for luxury goodsTraded basics for luxury goods Aksum (300 – 700 AD)

9. Aksum (cont’d) Built complex cut stone buildings & monumentsBuilt complex cut stone buildings & monuments Developed a written languageDeveloped a written language Built dams and canalsBuilt dams and canals Declined in power due to Muslim invadersDeclined in power due to Muslim invaders Made gold & silver coinsMade gold & silver coins Because deforestation & desertification destroyed their farmlands, they used terrace farming to increase farmlandBecause deforestation & desertification destroyed their farmlands, they used terrace farming to increase farmland Built complex cut stone buildings & monumentsBuilt complex cut stone buildings & monuments Developed a written languageDeveloped a written language Built dams and canalsBuilt dams and canals Declined in power due to Muslim invadersDeclined in power due to Muslim invaders Made gold & silver coinsMade gold & silver coins Because deforestation & desertification destroyed their farmlands, they used terrace farming to increase farmlandBecause deforestation & desertification destroyed their farmlands, they used terrace farming to increase farmland

10. Central Africa & the Great Zimbabwe Background: –Grew as a result of rich gold deposits along Zambezi River –The Shona people took control of mining (700 BC’s +/-) –Built fortified enclosures, such as “The Great Zimbabwe” –Fortified structures example of advanced stonework –Mysterious & rapid decline after 1400AD Background: –Grew as a result of rich gold deposits along Zambezi River –The Shona people took control of mining (700 BC’s +/-) –Built fortified enclosures, such as “The Great Zimbabwe” –Fortified structures example of advanced stonework –Mysterious & rapid decline after 1400AD

11. Early Empires of Western Africa Ghana, Mali, & Songhay(i)

12. Ghana (300 - 1200 AD) Background: –Traditional kingdom –Located on a trade routes between north and south Africa –Heavily influenced by Muslim culture (language, architecture, and writing) –Rulers eventually converted to Islam –Made neighboring lands pay taxes and gifts –Nobles aided king in control of areas Background: –Traditional kingdom –Located on a trade routes between north and south Africa –Heavily influenced by Muslim culture (language, architecture, and writing) –Rulers eventually converted to Islam –Made neighboring lands pay taxes and gifts –Nobles aided king in control of areas Achievements: –Traded gold and salt with other empires –Protected trade routes and ensured fair trade practices –Women had a high status –Made iron weapons, large army –Traded gold, salt, and slaves Achievements: –Traded gold and salt with other empires –Protected trade routes and ensured fair trade practices –Women had a high status –Made iron weapons, large army –Traded gold, salt, and slaves

13. African Trade Routes

14. Mali Mali (1200 – 1400 AD) Background: –Theocracy (Muslim) –Centered around the city of Timbuktu –Traded gold & salt –Greatest leader was Mansa Musa Background: –Theocracy (Muslim) –Centered around the city of Timbuktu –Traded gold & salt –Greatest leader was Mansa Musa Achievements: –Center of learning & knowledge –Had a very able government workers –Built a strong army –Suffered from weak leadership after Mansa Musa Achievements: –Center of learning & knowledge –Had a very able government workers –Built a strong army –Suffered from weak leadership after Mansa Musa Mansa Musa was the greatest Mali ruler

15. Songhay (1400 – 1600 AD) Background: –Empire with efficient bureaucracy –Centered around the city of Timbuktu –Traded gold, cattle, & salt –Founded by Sunni Ali Background: –Empire with efficient bureaucracy –Centered around the city of Timbuktu –Traded gold, cattle, & salt –Founded by Sunni Ali Achievements: –Efficient taxation and communications system developed –Traded with Europe –Built a strong army –Invaded by Moroccans –Last great West African trading empire Achievements: –Efficient taxation and communications system developed –Traded with Europe –Built a strong army –Invaded by Moroccans –Last great West African trading empire

16. Benin (1000 – 1600 AD) Achievements: –Bronze sculptures –Traded pepper and ivory Achievements: –Bronze sculptures –Traded pepper and ivory Background: –Centered around the mouth of the Niger River –Captured slaves and sold them to Europeans for guns and iron Background: –Centered around the mouth of the Niger River –Captured slaves and sold them to Europeans for guns and iron