Africa

Africa

Early Civilizations of Africa Influence of geography

Geographic patterns Vegetation affects where and how people live

Deserts, rainforests, interior plateau, and cataracts (waterfalls) hinder travel and trade

Great Rift Valley and Mediterranean and Red Seas aid travel and trade

Resources spur trade• Salt, gold, iron, and copper encourage trade and bring wealth

Camels increase trade across the Sahara

Africa

Outside influences Strong ties to overseas regions Carthage dominates trade until defeat by Rome Rome spreads Christianity through North Africa Muslims conquer North Africa Christianity to Islam Latin to Arabic

Africa

West Africa Trade in the Sahara

People become farmers, develop a surplus, and begin to trade West Africans trade leather goods, kola nuts, cotton cloth, and

slaves North Africans trade silk, metal, beads, and horses Cities develop along trade routes; monarchs create powerful

kingdoms Gold and salt dominate trade

Gold found in Ghana, Nigeria, and Senegal Salt found in the central Sahara

Dietary need Food preservation 1lb. of gold for 1lb. of salt

Africa

Medieval African Societies Family Patterns

Nuclear and extended family units Patrilineal and matrilineal kinship

Families belong to a lineage- a group of people who claim a common ancestor, and a clan

Africa

Government Chief or group of elders make the decisions

Decisions made by consensus, general agreement Villages in a large kingdom obeyed distant,

central government Limited power

Kongo King chosen by electors and had to follow traditional

laws Local chiefs have power

Africa

Religion Varied and complex with many gods and

goddesses Islam and Christianity spread

Absorbed local beliefs and customs Many believed in single, supreme being Honored ancestors