Early African

Civilizations

Early African

Civilizations

Up to 1500 ADUp to 1500 AD

Geography of Africa

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

The BasicsThe

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

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

BantuBantu• 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

Kush (1300BC – 150 AD)

• Began in city of Kerma, in area of Began in city of Kerma, in area of Egypt known as NubiaEgypt known as Nubia

• Trade center, link between Red Trade center, link between Red Sea & NileSea & 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 Center of culture (and cultural diffusion)diffusion)

• Began in city of Kerma, in area of Began in city of Kerma, in area of Egypt known as NubiaEgypt known as Nubia

• Trade center, link between Red Trade center, link between Red Sea & NileSea & 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 Center of culture (and cultural diffusion)diffusion)

Kush

• Closely tied to the Kush of Closely tied to the Kush of EgyptEgypt

• 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 Closely tied to the Kush of EgyptEgypt

• 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)Aksum (300 – 700 AD)

Aksum Aksum (cont’d)(cont’d)Aksum Aksum (cont’d)(cont’d)• Built complex cut stone Built complex cut stone

buildings & monumentsbuildings & monuments• Developed a written Developed a written

languagelanguage• Built dams and canalsBuilt dams and canals• Declined in power due to Declined in power due to

Muslim invadersMuslim invaders• Made gold & silver coinsMade gold & silver coins• Because deforestation & Because deforestation &

desertification destroyed desertification destroyed their farmlands, they used their farmlands, they used terrace farming to increase terrace farming to increase farmland farmland

• Built complex cut stone Built complex cut stone buildings & monumentsbuildings & monuments

• Developed a written Developed a written languagelanguage

• Built dams and canalsBuilt dams and canals• Declined in power due to Declined in power due to

Muslim invadersMuslim invaders• Made gold & silver coinsMade gold & silver coins• Because deforestation & Because deforestation &

desertification destroyed desertification destroyed their farmlands, they used their farmlands, they used terrace farming to increase terrace farming to increase farmland farmland

Central Africa & the Great ZimbabweCentral 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

Early Empires of Western AfricaEarly Empires of Western Africa

Ghana, Mali, & Songhay(i)Ghana, Mali, & Songhay(i)

Ghana (300 - 1200 AD)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

AfricanAfrican Trade RoutesTrade RoutesAfricanAfrican Trade RoutesTrade Routes

Mali Mali (1200 – 1400 AD)

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 rulerMansa Musa was the greatest Mali ruler

Songhay (1400 – 1600 AD)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

Benin (1000 – 1600 AD)

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