1. Mr. Hardy RMS IB Middle School 2012-2013
Ancient Africa Unit 2
Mr. Hardy
RMS IB Middle School

3. Common traits between African Groups
Hunter- gatherers before Agricultural Revolution
Clans- groups of (extended) families whom live together, tribe like
Animism- spirits are present in the nature around you (plants, animals, dead ancestors)
Subsistence Farming- growing crops for personal use, not for market sale
No written language
Specialized storytellers- Griots

4. Kush Based around Nile River Pre- Egyptian peoples
Descendants of Nubia
Created iron weapons
Strong trading nation
Animal skins, ivory, ebony, etc.
Conquered Egypt 750 B.C.- King Kashta
Declined because of the rise of Axum

5. Axum/ Aksum – 940 A.D.
Located in current day Ethiopia (Eastern Africa)
Rich because of location along the trading routes to India and Mediterranean
330 A.D. conversion to Christianity, later to Islam (both brought in by trade)
Language- Ge’ez
Only ancient African kingdom known to have a writing system
Agriculture- terrace farming
Step- like ridges used to cultivate crops

7. Ghana 830-1240 Located in western Africa
“1st Great Traders of West Africa”
Began the gold and salt trade
Well trained army to protect cities and trade routes
Government- King was religious, economic, and political leader
RICH!
Resources of gold, silver, and iron

8. Mali Rise- Defeated Ghana, 1240 Located in western Africa
Continued the gold and salt trade
Government- rulers of each region sent money to Mali’s king for protection
Mansa Musa- Golden Age King
Brought Islam to Mali
Established Islamic learning center city- Timbuktu

9. Songhai 1458 - 1591 Rise- Conquered Empire of Mali
Islamic trading kingdom
Continued gold and salt trade
Largest African Empire!
Decline defeated by Moroccan force with superior weapons. (Gunpowder Empire)

11. African Fable
After reading your assigned African fable, discuss as a group the “lesson” or creation story that you find was taught through the book.
Now… Create a fable (story) that centers around a lesson that your group finds to be important to teach others.
Your fable/story should be a modern adaptation/ version of the African fable your group read.
Your story must be presented to the class in the form of a skit(must include script!).

12. Reflection and Ticket Out the Door!
Complete a reflection on today’s material on the Empires of Africa in your interactive notebook!
When you are done with your reflection, pack up and complete the Ticket Out the Door question!