How did the geography and trade impact the early African kingdoms? Provide and explain two specific examples.

Annotate each document looking for specific evidence of the impact trade and/or geography had on the development of the early African kingdoms.

1. Trade among cultures within Africa and with societies in Europe and Asia thrived from about 300 CE through the 1800s. Many empires, both large and small, flourished during this period. Contact with other cultures usually brings about an exchange of ideas along with the exchange of goods. The success of trade can either enrich an empire or drain its resources.

Image of a Trade Caravan Approaching Timbuktu

A caravan approaching Timbuktu. IRC, 2005. Image. Discovery Education. Web.

2. A Golden Bracelet Made in Syria in 1000s Using Gold from Western Africa

Gold was an extremely valuable resource for African empires because it was scarce in northern Africa, the Middle East, and Europe.

A gold bracelet from early 11th century Syria. IRC, 2005. Image. Discovery Education. Web.

3. An Early Muslim Mosque in Ghana

Muslim warriors invaded and conquered the kingdom of Ghana in the late 1000s but only kept control for about 10 years. Trade with Muslim countries to the north continued for centuries.

A Muslim Mosque, Ghana. IRC, 2005. Image. Discovery Education. Web.

4. Bronze Artwork Produced in the Kingdom of Benin, 1700s

Although artists and metalworkers in Benin knew how to create brass and bronze, the kingdom did not have enough copper or other natural resources to produce enough for its artists. Benin carried on a strong trade with Portugal to gain the resources it needed for brass and bronze artwork.

5. From a Traveler’s Description of Timbuktu in the Songhai Empire, Early 1500s

When I myself was here, I saw one camel’s load of salt sold for 80 ducats [gold coins]. The rich king of Timbuktu hath many plates and scepters of gold, some whereof weigh 1300 pounds; and he keeps a magnificent and well furnished court. … Here are a great store [number] of doctors, judges, priests, and other learned men, that are bountifully maintained at the king’s cost and charges. And hither [here] are brought diverse [many types] manuscripts or written books out of Barbary [Morocco], which are sold for more money than any other merchandise.

From The history and description of Africa, and of the notable things therein contained, written by al-Hassan ibn Mohammed al-Wezaz, al-Fasi, a Moor, baptized as Giovanni Leone, but better known as Leo Africanus. Done into English in the year 1600 by John Pory, and now edited, with an introduction and notes, by Robert Brown. London, Printed for the Hakluyt Society, 1896, pp. 824–825

6. From a Traveler’s Description of His Reception in the Capital of the Mali Empire, 1352

The armor bearers bring in magnificent arms–quivers of gold and silver, words ornamented with gold and with golden scabbards, gold and silver lances, and crystal maces (medieval clubs]. The interpreter Dugha comes with his four wives and his slave-girls, who are about one hundred in number. They are wearing beautiful robes, and on their heads they have gold and silver fillets [headdresses] with gold and silver balls attached.

From the account of Ibn Battuta as quoted in A history of exploration from the earliest times to the present day, Brigadier- General Sir Percy Sykes, New York, The Macmillan company, 1934. p. 95

7. Mosque in Mali This mosque, which was built in the 1400s in Timbuktu, was used as a place of worship and doubled as a university at the height of the kingdom.

8. Ancient Africa Trade Map

9. Mansa Musa Holding a Gold Nugget, c. 1375

This image shows the Muslim king of Mali, Mansa Musa, holding a gold nugget. This 1375 picture from the Catalan Atlas illustrates the importance of West Africa as a gold supplier to the Mediterranean world during medieval times. Gold from the Guinea Highlands fields of Bambuk and Bure was shipped to the urban centers of the Western Sudan, and thence across the desert. When Mansa Musa performed the pilgrimage to Mecca in 1324, he tookso much gold with him that it disrupted the currency markets of Egypt.

A West African king holding a gold nugget IRC, 2005. Image. Discovery Education. Web.

View the following videos on your DE “Assignments” page and take notes.

10. “Zimbabwe's True Origins” from Zimbabwe: The Lost City of Africa

This video segment discusses how archaeologists uncovered the true history of Great Zimbabwe. They discovered important details about the city's construction as well as its economy, which relied upon trade with China and the Middle East.

11. “Swahili Culture” from Africa in Focus: Kenya

This video segment discusses Kenya’s Swahili culture, which is a mixture of African, Arab, Portuguese, Dutch, British, and Indian influences.

Trade and the geography influenced the development of the African

kingdoms because _____________________________ and _________________.

(Explain each reason with specific details.)

Final response goes in Schoolnet. Test code: Africa