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Medieval Africa

This document addresses California's seventh-grade standards by providing an in-depth analysis of medieval African societies from human origins to the rise of complex societies. It covers significant milestones such as the domestication of livestock and crops, the development of ironworking technologies, and examples of early state formations like Pharaonic Egypt, Nubia, and Aksum. The work highlights major social and linguistic groups, their cultural practices, social structures, and technological advancements. It challenges conventional European assumptions of civilization through diverse African experiences.

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Medieval Africa

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  1. Medieval Africa Addressing the California Seventh-Grade Standards Laura J. Mitchell History Department, UCI mitchell@uci.edu

  2. From Human Origins to Complex Societies • Domestication of livestock +/- 10,000 ybp • Domestication of agriculture (crops) +/- 8,000 ybp • Iron working technologies +/- 4,500 ybp • Increasing population concentration

  3. Major Social/Linguistic Groups • Khoisan • (Bushmen; !Kung) • Niger-Congo • (Bantu) • Nilo-Saharan • (Masaai) • Afro-Asiatic • (Ethiopian, Berber) Afro-Asiatic Afro-Asiatic Niger-Congo Nilo-Saharan Khoisan

  4. Khoisan Tradition • Gathering and hunting economies • Small, nomadic groups • Small, round houses • No hereditary leadership • Music & dance: single rhythmic beat • Stringed instruments; emphasize dance footwork • Rock art • Trance dancing • Non-theistic beliefs [!Kung, /Xam, Nama]

  5. Afro-Asiatic Tradition • Earliest wild grain collectors • Clan-based communities • Clan diety worship • Rectangular houses; flat or sloping roof • Music: single melody & rhythm • Stringed instruments; no drums • Dance: swaying body; various footwork [Ethiopian, Berber]

  6. Nilo-Saharan Tradition • Fishing in addition to hunting & gathering • Stone blades and spears • Non-theistic beliefs [Masaai]

  7. Niger-Congo Tradition • Fishing technology; yam cultivation • Hook and line; baskets • Clan based; matrilineal • Hereditary clan chief • Compact village; rectangular houses • Skilled crafts: weaving, pottery, wood carving • Music and dance • Percussion, polyrhythmic • Polytheistic religion [Bantu: Mande, Swahili, Zulu]

  8. Bantu Migration • Bantu language family • Niger-Congo tradition • Hypothesis of population movement based on linguistics

  9. Examples of Early State Formation • Pharaonic Egypt • Nubia • Aksum • Djenne-Jeno

  10. Pharaonic Egypt Nubia Djenne-Jeno Aksum

  11. Nubia • Kush 730 BC conquered Egypt • Napata 600 BC retreat from Egypt • Assyrian armies conquered Egypt • Meroe 300 BC to +/- 100 AD • Technology migration @ collapse?

  12. Aksum 200 BC-800 AD • Written language: Ge’ez • Stone construction • stelae • Centralized power • Hierarchical society • Plants: ‘tef, ensete, coffee • Trade: port of Adulis Afro-Asiatic Tradition

  13. Djenne-Jeno200 BC - 1400 AD • Ancient City • Complex society • Trade & Agriculture • Pre-Islamic Niger-Congo Tradition

  14. Djenne-Jeno200 BC - 1400 AD • 1600 years of occupation • Indigenous growth of trade • Social complexity • Economic specialization • Not coercive/centralized • Mande speakers Niger-Congo Tradition

  15. Elements of Civilizations(Based on European Assumptions) • Plough • Grain surplus/storage • Literacy • Complexification v. Centralization • Economic specialization African examples challenge these assumptions in significant ways!

  16. Environmental Factors • Water • River floods • Source of wood/fuel • Especially for iron smelting • Tropical locations • Disease implications

  17. Rise of Cities • Social stratification • What kind? What classes? • Trade • What goods? What trading partners? • Ideology • religion • Art & Architecture • Cities v. Citadels

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