Western Western and and
Central Central AfricaAfrica
Movement within Africa
Movement Within Africa “The Bantu Migrations”
Bantu people originated in West Africa They are the original 400 tribes of Africa
Too many people for the environment to support, so large groups of Bantu moved to other areas Spread into Central, Eastern, and Southern Africa
As they migrated “Cultural Diffusion” occurred Exchange of culture between groups of people
Food, clothing, customs, religion, etc.
Movement within Africa Movement Within Africa
The Bantu were much more advanced people than the tribes we studied so far
More advanced than the Hamer, Mursii, Maasai, and Bushmen
This began to create a difference in lifestyles between peoples of Africa
The Bantu are the civilized and modern people of Africa
They are in control of society Money and government
Ultimately, they have all of the power
Movement within Africa (Western Africa) Powerful empires developed in West
Africa: From the years 1050 – 1500 The empires of Ghana, Mali, and Songhai
thrived in West Africa because of their location on trade routes across the Sahara
Gold and Salt were the main products tradedNecessity vs. Desire
Ghana, Mali, Songhai
Ghana – Ghana means “war chief”. Traders began to call this area Ghana. Gold and Salt were the main things exchanged here. Empire of Ghana was in power from 800 – 1100.
Mali – 1235, kingdom of Mali emerged. Conquered Ghana. 2/3 of the world’s gold came from West Africa at this time. Declined around 1400.
Songhai – 1400-1591
Movement out of Africa Out of Africa
The slave trade Europeans traveled to Africa in search of labor Set up trading posts along the West coast of Africa
Goree Island Just off the coast of the country of Senegal Millions of slaves left here for the slave auction in Cuba
Triangular trade Slaves went to the Americas from Africa Raw materials like molasses, cotton, coffee, tobacco went
to Europe Guns, manufactured goods, and money go back to Africa
Movement out of Africa
The slave trade = Maafa Swahili for "holocaust" or "great disaster“
Middle Passageone to six months depending on weather
conditionsTypical slave ships contained several hundred
slaves with about thirty crew membersMales chained together in pairs to save spaceWomen and children may have had somewhat more
room. Wretched Conditions
Disease, contamination, and filth were rampant
Slave Trade Map
Destination %Brazil 35.4
Spanish Empire 22.1
British W. Indies 17.7
French W. Indies
14.1
British N. America (future U.S.A)
4.4
Dutch W. Indies 4.4
Danish W. Indies
0.2
Movement into Africa Movement Into Africa
Africa was unexplored until the 1600s Became known as the “Dark Continent”
Little was known about Africa because physical barriers stopped exploration Vast deserts, dense rainforests, and cataracts
Western Africa was where most explorers ended up As exploration increased, numerous resources of
value were found Gold, silver, diamonds, coffee, tea, wood, cotton, etc
Cecil Rhodes founded a diamond company called DeBeers DeBeers markets 60 to 90% of the world's diamonds
Movement into Africa “Scramble for Africa”
The Industrial Revolution was occurring in Europe so the demand for raw materials increased
Europeans rushed into Africa to get as many resources as they could
Set up “Colonies” Take control of another country’s economy and government England, France, Spain, Germany, Portugal, Belgium, & Italy
Wars were being fought over the new land
“Berlin Conference” Meeting of European countries
Conference to “carve up Africa”
White Man’s Burden
Rudyard Kipling’s poemThe white man (Europeans) are responsible for
civilizing the primitive cultures of AfricaUsed as an excuse for Europeans destroying
African civilizations and taking their resourcesPromotes colonies throughout AfricaAnd…Segregation, Discrimination and Racism
Countries of Central & Western Africa – Basics of… Democratic Republic of the Congo Size of the U.S. east of the Mississippi
River! Located in large rainforest (40-80 inches
of rain a year) Belgium and King Leopold II colonized History of civil war since independence More than 200 ethnic groups
Republic of Cameroon
About the size of California Rubber, bananas, cocoa, and timber are
supported by the climate Bantu tribes inhabited highlands more
than 1,500 years ago Germany, France, and Britain ruled More than half of its people live in rural
communities ¼ population is Muslim
Republic of Senegal
About the size of South Dakota Dakar (capital) is a major port of West
Africa Tropical climate: 95 degrees during rainy
season Goree Island = slave trade (off coast) France colonized 95% Muslim 70% of people work in agriculture
Republic of Ghana
About the size of Oregon Temps can reach 100 degrees regularly British colonized in 1901 English is the official language More than half are Christian, 15-20% are
Muslim 50% of people work in agriculture HIV/AIDS is a growing problem
Sierra Leone
About the size of South Carolina Average 125 inches of rain a year Was once part of Mali Empire Slavery was big here Became a British colony Christianity and Islam are practiced 18 ethnic groups One of the world’s poorest countries
despite resources like diamonds and gold
Federal Republic of Nigeria
About size of California, Nevada, and Utah combined
Diverse geography, people, and culture Slaves from Nigeria went to North and South
America British colonized Most populated country in Africa; 250 ethnic
groups 50% Muslim, 40% Christian One of world’s largest oil producers
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