Kush Civilization • Ag revolution leads to civilizations -7000-8000 yrs ago. • Trade between Egypt and Nubia • Kush civilization rose-> Nubia becoming independent of Egypt…becomes Kush 1000BC. • Kush take over Egypt-fall eventually to Assyrians • important trade centre for India, Arabia, Romans
Kush
Kush Cont. • Society based on farming…becomes trade center • Important trade center in Meroe-land route to N crosses Nile here • Kushites use Iron Ore-> traded and made iron weapons and tools to trade • Kush trade: Iron, Gold, Ivory, Ebony, Slaves • Trade w/ Roman Empire, Arabia, India
Axum Empire-(book pg.238) • Modern day Ethiopia..founded by Arabs • Combined Arab and African culture • Geography->prosperity…On Red Sea, along Mediterranean Route for India • Export: Ivory, Frankincense, Myrhh, Slaves • Imports: textiles, metal goods, wine, olive oil • Tension-Muslims located on NW coast of Africa..also along Red Sea
Axum cont. • Competes w/ Kush for control of Ivory trade • King Ezana eventually conquers Kush in 4th century. • Official religion was Christianity Est. by King Ezana • Islam eventually brought challenges to Axum • Islam rises in 622
Rise of Islam • Islam rise 622 AD • 641 Arab forces capture Egypt • Arabs rule N Africa coast to strait of Gibraltar • Muslim states along Red Sea • Relationship w/ Christian Axum is peaceful • 12th century Muslim states moved inland to control trade • Muslim traders had significant impact on N Africa
Kingdom of Ghana • 1st great trade state in W. Africa-500 AD • Upper Niger River Valley • Local rule w/ villages…form kingdom of Ghana • Kings rule w/ no law…had vast wealth • Well trained army makes for enormous trade empire
Ghana cont. • People of Ghana often traded Gold for Salt • Preserved food, improved taste, hydration • Exports: gold, iron ore, ivory, hides, slaves…to Mediterranean markets. • Imports: Metal goods, textiles, horses, salt • Trade by the Berbers: “fleet’s of Desert” • Camels crucial trade factor • Caravans: groups of camels travel together for trade • Kings wealth: tax imports and exports
Kingdom of Mali • Ghana starts to collapse in 1100’s..Mali rise 1240 • From Atlantic to Timbuktu • Leader Sundata Keita…defeats Ghana in 1240 • Wealth on Gold and Salt trade • Farming society: Sorghum, Millet, Rice • Villages w/ Local rule-religious and administrative leaders • Tax sent from village leader to king
Mali cont. • Mansa (king) Musa-rule from 1312 to 1337 • Devout Muslim • Doubles size of Mali Kingdom...powerful leader. • Creates strong central govt..Kingdom divided into provinces. • Governors appointed • Timbuktu becomes center of Islamic learning…major trade center as well. • Mali attracts religious leaders, scholars. • Civil war ends Mali in 1359
Kingdom of Songhai • Songhai rises along Niger…East of Timbuktu. • Dia first dynasty….est. 1009 • Gao-chief trade center…links W Africa, N Africa, Arabia • Sunni Ali creates Sunni dynasty in 1464… • Defends and expands territory…conquers Timbuktu and Jenne.
Songhai cont. • Sunni Ali conquest of Jenne and Timbuktu • Gives Songhai trade power which helped Ghana and Mali prosper. • Ali controls Govt of Songhai as well • Unites rural city dwellers w/ differing interests under one Govt.
Songhai Cont. • Muhammad Ture-Devout Muslim, Military Commander-seizes power in 1493 • Creates Askia dynasty • Continues to expand…Songhai at its peak during Ture reign. • Divides Songhai into provinces • Chief cities prosper w/ expanding Salt and Gold trade • Sognhai declines by 1600……Morocco occupies
Swahili • Mixed African/Arabian culture arises. • Muslim religion and Arabic architecture become part of African society • Swahili language arises as well • African Bantu trade w/ Arabic people. • Language mixes both Bantu and Arabic • Allows communication and trade • Swahili language spreads N and W w/ Ivory and Slave trade. E.g CULTURAL DIFFUSION!
Swahili Primary language region
Societies in South Africa • Stateless societies through 11th century AD-independent villages organized by clans….local ruler or Clan head • States developed more slowly to the South • Gradual unification • Zimbabwe most powerful region from 1300-1450 • Prospered from gold trade w/ Swahili communities on E coast of Africa • Great Zimbabwe capital • Great Enclosure: dominates site of Great Zimbabwe
Great Enclosure (purpose unknown)
