Ancient AfricaUnit 2
Mr. HardyRMS IB Middle School
2012-2013
Common traits between African Groups
• Hunter- gatherers before Agricultural Revolution• Clans- groups of (extended) families whom live
together, tribe like• Animism- spirits are present in the nature
around you (plants, animals, dead ancestors)• Subsistence Farming- growing crops for personal
use, not for market sale• No written language– Specialized storytellers- Griots
Kush
• Based around Nile River–Pre- Egyptian peoples
• Descendants of Nubia• Created iron weapons• Strong trading nation–Animal skins, ivory, ebony, etc.
• Conquered Egypt 750 B.C.- King Kashta• Declined because of the rise of Axum
Axum/ Aksum 100 – 940 A.D.
• Located in current day Ethiopia (Eastern Africa)• Rich because of location along the trading routes to
India and Mediterranean• 330 A.D. conversion to Christianity, later to Islam
(both brought in by trade)• Language- Ge’ez– Only ancient African kingdom known to have a writing system• Agriculture- terrace farming– Step- like ridges used to cultivate crops
Ghana830-1240
• Located in western Africa• “1st Great Traders of West Africa”– Began the gold and salt trade
• Well trained army to protect cities and trade routes
• Government- King was religious, economic, and political leader
• RICH!– Resources of gold, silver, and iron
Mali
• Rise- Defeated Ghana, 1240• Located in western Africa• Continued the gold and salt trade• Government- rulers of each region sent money
to Mali’s king for protection• Mansa Musa- Golden Age King– Brought Islam to Mali– Established Islamic learning center city- Timbuktu
Songhai 1458 - 1591• Rise- Conquered Empire
of Mali• Islamic trading kingdom• Continued gold and salt
trade• Largest African Empire!• Decline- 1591 defeated
by Moroccan force with superior weapons. (Gunpowder Empire)
African Fable• After reading your assigned African fable,
discuss as a group the “lesson” or creation story that you find was taught through the book.
• Now… Create a fable (story) that centers around a lesson that your group finds to be important to teach others.– Your fable/story should be a modern adaptation/
version of the African fable your group read.• Your story must be presented to the class in the
form of a skit(must include script!).
Reflection and Ticket Out the Door!
• Complete a reflection on today’s material on the Empires of Africa in your interactive notebook!
• When you are done with your reflection, pack up and complete the Ticket Out the Door question!