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Africa: A Tapestry of Diverse Societies and Geographical Contrasts

Africa, the second-largest continent, showcases a stunning array of geographical contrasts. From the uninhabitable deserts of the Sahara and Kalahari to the rich biodiversity of rainforests, the continent offers varied environments that shape its societies. While the savannas support agriculture and nomadic lifestyles, animism plays a vital role in the spiritual lives of its people. Early societies relied on storytelling and clan structures, navigating through historical transitions. The emergence of cities like Djenne-Djeno underscores Africa's vibrant trade networks and cultural legacy.

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Africa: A Tapestry of Diverse Societies and Geographical Contrasts

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  1. Africa Diverse Societies

  2. A Land of Geographical Contrasts • Second largest continent in the World • Deserts • uninhabitable • North: Sahara • South: Kalahari • Prevents movement of people to more welcoming lands • Rain forest (Natures Greenhouse) • uninhabitable • Very little sunlight due to dense canopy of tree branches • Tsetse fly- very dangerous for African animals and Europeans • Prevented colonization and farming

  3. A Land of Geographical Contrasts • Coast lines: North Med./Southern tip • Very welcoming to farmers and herders • Fertile soil • Mediterranean type climates • Savannas: Grassy Plains • Most people live here • Covers 40% of Africa • Dry seasons alternate with wet seasons • Soil is very thin and is easily striped away, but in most years the savanna produces abundant agriculture.

  4. Early Humans and Their Environment • Nomadic lifestyle • Transition to a settled lifestyle • With our already known knowledge of the above material, what do you think allowed this transition to occur?

  5. Early Societies in Africa: South of the Sahara • Basic Social Units • Family: parents and children • Also began to include grandparents, Aunts/Uncles and cousins • Combination of all of the above was known as a: Clan • Religions • Animism- a religion in which spirits play an important role in daily life. • Spirits are present in animals, plants, ect., they take on the form of the souls of their ancestors.

  6. Early Societies in Africa:West • History • Few societies had written language • Griots- storytellers kept history alive by passing it from parent to child. • Archeologists were able to find proof of Western Griots stories of advance civilizations in modern Mail and Nigeria.

  7. Early Societies in Africa:Iron Age • Moved past the Copper and Bronze Age and right to the Iron Age • Nok Culture: • Earliest known culture • Lived in what is now Nigeria • Smelted iron into farm and hunting tools • Made their way into the far trade routes

  8. Development of Cities • Djenne-Djeno • Located on a tributary of the Niger River • Huge trade town • Water routes • Camel routes • At it height 50,000 people claimed it as their home • Round reed homes transferred to mud brick homes • Economically: traders and artisans

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