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AFRICA
Objective- The student will understand the major African kingdoms, as well as their contribution to the continent as a whole.
Africa’s Size
# Second largest continent 11,700,000 sq. mi.
# 10% of the world’s population.
# 2 ½ times the size of the U. S.
5000
MILES
4 6 0 0 M I L E S
African Rain Forest
# Annual rainfall of up to 17 ft.
# Rapid decomposition (very humid).
# Covers 37 countries.
# 15% of the land surface of Africa.
The
Complete
Topography
Of
AFRICA
Nile River
Congo River
Zambezi River
Niger River
Orange River
Limpopo River
Mediterranean Sea
Atlantic Ocean
Pacific Ocean
Indian Ocean
Red Sea
L. Victoria
L. Albert-->
L. Chad-->
L. Tanganyika->
<--Gu
lf of A
den
Drajensburg Mts.
Ruw
enzori Mts.
Δ Mt. Kenya
Δ Mt. Kilimanjaro
Sahara Desert
Sahel
Kalahari
Desert
Nam
ib D
esert
Libyan Desert
Gre
at R
ift
Val
ley
Atlas Mts.
Tropic of Cancer 20° N
Tropic of Capricorn20° S
Equator 0°
The Nok and Bantu Unlike many regional centers of civilized
society, West Africa was greatly influenced by the diffusion of technology from Trans-Saharan trade mainly from North Africa.
The first peoples to develop societies in West Africa were the Nok who benefited by the diffusion of innovations such as iron-smelting.
Archeological evidence seems to suggest the peoples in this region moved from stone to iron sometime around 500 B.C.E. and most evidence points to diffusion of technology.
Bantu Migrations The most prominent event in Sub-Saharan Africa
during ancient times were the migrations of the Bantu-speaking peoples and the establishment of agricultural societies in regions where Bantu speakers settled.
Just as Sudanese agriculture spread to the Nile and provided an economic foundation for the development of many African societies, it also spread to most other regions of Africa south of the Sahara and supported the emergence of distinct agricultural societies.
The Bantu Located initially in the lower Niger Valleys,
the Bantu began to migrate from West Africa spreading their language, knowledge of iron production, and their experience with settled tropical agriculture.
Between 500 B.C.E. to 500 C.E., this migration would move Bantu innovations and inherited innovations throughout central Africa and onto to southern Africa.
The Bantu and the Nok Neither the Nok nor
the Bantu, created urban centers in West Africa.
The first urban settlement is believed to be at Djenne-djeno site settlement around 250 B.C.E.
Djenne-Djeno Djenne-Djeno is believed to be the first
indigenous sub-Saharan city. The use of iron and traditional fishing and
herding allowed the city to grow to its peak around 900 C.E.
Unlike other areas of settlement, Djenne-Djeno was a centrally occupied area with a large fortified wall and smaller settlements in the interior.
The size of the city apparently grew to over 50,000 inhabitants.
Djenne-Djeno The creation of Djenne-Djeno
may not have been built as a religious center but it appears that its inhabitants Believed in ancestor worship and a well defined familial residential style also developed.
It appeared that the husband/father lived in one large central hut while each wife occupied adjacent huts.
The main endeavor of Djenne-Djeno was trade.
Djenne-Djeno The population at Djenne-Djeno lived in
neighboring clusters that were functionally independent.
No single urban center, monumental architecture, no hierarchical social structure, no strong central authority
It appears Djenne-Djeno experienced relative equality and cooperation from its citizens rather than competition
Disappeared with little answers but may have held the key to an alternative urban settlement pattern.
Rise of the Kingdom of AksumEast Africa Kingdom of Aksum Located on a Rugged
Plateau on the Red Sea Ancestors Traced Back to King Solomon
and the Queen of Sheba Known to Have Interactions with the
Greeks & Conquered Lands Bordering the Red Sea & the Nile
Due to Locations of Lands the Kingdom of Aksum Became an Important Trading Center
Rise of the Kingdom of AksumEast Africa Adulis: Chief Seaport of Aksum
Developed into an International Trading Power
Ezana: Occupied the Throne in 350 A.D. when the Kingdom of Aksum Conquered the Kushites
Aksum Established Christianity and a Unique Architecture
Fall of the Kingdom of AksumEast Africa Aksum's Cultural & Technological
Achievements Allowed it to Last for 800 Years
Kingdom Begins to Decline Under Islamic Invaders
Invaders Destroy Adulis in 710 A.D., thus Weakening Aksum's Ability to Remain a Trading Power
Traditional Family Structures
Nuclear Family:
Extended Family:
C
C
C C
CHW W
C
C
C C
C
HW W
GP
CsGP
Cs
U
A
Traditional African ReligionANIMISM
1. Belief in one remote Supreme Being.
3. Ancestor veneration.
4. Belief in magic, charms, and fetishes.
5. Diviner mediator between the tribe and God.
2. A world of spirits (good & bad) in all things.
Common Traits or Characteristics of Traditional African Tribal Life
1. The good of the group comes ahead of the good of the individual.
2. All land is owned by the group.
3. Strong feeling of loyalty to the group.
4. Important ceremonies at different parts of a person’s life.
5. Special age and work associations.
6. Deep respect for ancestors.
7. Religion is an important part of everyday life.
8. Government is in the hands of the chiefs [kings].
West Africa after 700 C.E. In West Africa, the first known cities, such
as Timbuktu, Jenne, and Mopti, along the Niger River, and Ife and Igbo Ikwu near the tropical coasts, it seems were built as centers of trade.
These centers would continue to be built upon Trans-Saharas trade in Salt, gold, Spices, millet, and other items.
Creating the later Ghana, Mali, and Songhi Kingdoms from 1100 C.E.