1. African Societies: Diversity and Similarities

2. Kingdoms of the Grasslands 3. The Swahili Coast of East Africa 4. People of the Forest and Plains

Political forms Vary

Sometimes influenced by Christians and Muslims

Different Religions

Extreme cultural diversity

Stateless societies were controlled by Kinship Institutions

Lacked Authority Structures Incorporated more people

Secret societies Important in social life, would limit ruler’s

authority Weaknesses

Delayed ability to respond to outside pressures, mobilize for war, undertake large building projects, create stability for long term trade.

Bantu Migration Expansion of Bantu over ti

me video One Language

base Animism- well

developed ideas of good an evil Cosmology Ethical Code Lineage important

in relation with god Deceased related

to spiritual world

Economies N Africa- integrated into the world economy Sub- Saharan- varying structures Present was iron work

Both men and women were important in market life Little know about population, but it is

known that by 1500 it may have been close to 30-60 million

Part of Mediterranean Arrival of Islam

Spain, by 711 (Indigenousness) Berber

Almoravids Western Sahara Assist conversion

Almohads opposing group Succeed Berbers, 12th Century

Equality of Believers, political unity, and religious world appealed to many leaders

However social disparities continued between men and women

Copts Egyptian Christians –rich

independent tradition, but oppressed Byzantine Christians

Welcome Muslims Spread to Nubia (Kush)-

resisted Muslim incursion, until the 13 century

Ethiopia Heirs to Axum- formed

in the 13th and 14th century

King Lalibela- built great rock churches

Caravans Across Sahara Sahel (grassland)

Transfer point Camels were unable to carry goods to

humid forest zones such as the Sahel, until new states emerged like Ghana

Rule Sacred- ruled from lineage

Islam From 900’s Supports State Most important

states Mali Songhay

Malinke people from Ghana Strengthened by Islam

Agriculture and gold trade economic base

Sundiata (c. 1260) expansion and government based on CLAN structure Mansa (ruler) Expanded states

Mansa Kankan Musa Pilgrimage to mecca Brings back Ishak al-Sahili

Architect from Muslim Spain Beaten clay architecture

Jenne, Timbuktu Thrive with expansion of Mali, Songhay

Residence scholars, craft specialist, foreign merchant, and developed what is current day SUDAN

Mandinka Juula- Traders, not treason Merchants

Farmers are the Majority Problems faced: poor soil, primitive technology,

droughts, insect pests.

Middle Niger Valley Independent by 700

Muslim by 1010 Capital at Gao Sunni Ali( 1464-1492)

Expanded Territory Successor is ASKIA

Defeated by Morocco, 1591

Hausa States, Northern Nigeria Kano Becomes Muslim

leader

Trading Ports Muslim

influence Strong Rest of

population will remain traditional

Mogadishu, Mombasa, Malindi, Kilwa, Pate Zanzibar Madagascar

Southeast Asian Immigrants Bring Bananas, coconuts

Blending Culture (Current day melting pot) Bantu, Islamic Swahili Spreads along coast Trade with Asia

Islam Unifies Along with Swahili

Two Transition of World Population Prior to 18th century little census taking

was done, and it was thought that population grew slowly. Population before 1750 approx 500 Million

At the Birth of the Industrial Revolution, there was an population explosion and continues to grow. 20th century 5 Billion

Artist and Kings: Yoruba and Benin

Nok culture, 500 B.C.E. and 200 CE

Nigerian Forests Agriculture, iron tools

Hiatus, 200-1000 Yoruba

Urbanized Agriculturalists Small city-states

Divine King Lle-lfe

Holy Notable portrait beads

Edo Benin, 14th Century

Ewuare

Bantu close to Cape Horn by 1200 Form States

Katanga Luba Peoples Divine Kingship Hereditary Bureacurcay

Kongo Along the Lower Congo, by the Late 15th

Century were large Agriculture society Weaving, pottery, blacksmithing, and carving

Pronounced gender division of labor Women Farm, would run the household Men would clear forest, hunt and trade

Mbanza Kongo Capital

Federation of 8 States

Shona Language group Zimbabwe (Stone Courts)

By the 9th Century Great Zimbabwe

Mwene Mutapa Control of Gold Sources

Spread of Islam Bring sub Saharan Africa into contact with

other world regions Yet some trends develop outside of the

region of the Greatest Muslim Influence Portuguese bring new contacts