African empires

1
African empires

• Sub Saharan Africa

2
Background

• Anthropologists believe humanity first arose in
  East Africa
• Early culture mostly influenced by Egyptian
  civilization and the Mediterranean world
• Romans built roads, dams, aqueducts and cities
  across N. Africa spread Christianity
• Camels brought in around 200 A.D. allowing
  future trade across Africa possible

3
General Chronology

• 600-700 AD-Ethiopia threatened by Muslims,
  isolated from Christian Europe
• 600-1000 AD Bantu migrations across Sub-Saharan
  Africa
• 1000 AD-Islam established south of Sahara
• 1250s C.E.- Zimbabwes built (stone houses)
• 1260 C.E.- Ife Ife (Yoruba) create terra cotta
  and bronze statues
• 1324-25 C.E.- Mansa Musas pilgrimage to Mecca
• 1400- Swahili cities set up along Indian Ocean
  coast

4
Dates of Major Empires

• 750 AD-Kingdom of Ghana developed between Senegal
  and Niger Rivers
• 1000 AD-Islam established south of Sahara
• 1200s AD- Mali Empire rises
• 1400s A.D.-Songhai Empire rises

5
Interactions vital to Sub Saharan African Kingdoms

• Slow advance of Islam across West Africa
• Independence of Ethiopia (NEVER conquered)
• Sea trade along East Coast with Islamic Empires
  and India)
• Trans-Saharan trade (including slaves)-Gold in
  the west, west lacked salt (Gold/Salt trade)
• Importance of salt-vital to human survival to
  prevent dehydration and preserve food

6
Art and architecture
Djenne, Mali (mosque)
Music (communication)
Bronze sculpture from Benin
Great Zimbabwe
7
Passing on History in Sub-Saharan Africa

• Most languages derive from Bantu
• Few records until after Muslims brought writing
  to Africa.
• Islam INFLUENCED but didnt REPLACE ancient
  customs
• Griots- storytellers
• High social rank
• Whole inter-generational groups helped tell
  stories to pass on history

8
Connections to today

• Cattle wealth
• Lack of written history means that it is harder
  to study than other civilizations
• Slave trade relocated millions of Africans
  worldwide, also distributed culture
• African traditions affect how American culture is
  transmitted
• Islamic influence still evident across Africa

9
Kingdom of ghana

• Gained control over major trade routes allowing
  them to tax all gold and salt flowing through
• Invaded by Muslims in 1076 and never recovered
  and dissolved into smaller states

10
Kingdom of mali

• Conquered the old capital of Ghana
• Brought gold and salt mines under their direct
  control
• Converted to Islam
• Ruler Mansa Musa expanded the empire and built a
  mosque and palace in Timbuktu

11
Kingdom of songhai

• Sultan Sunni Ali captured Timbuktu
• Grew rich from trade and expanded the trade
  network
• Timbuktu continued to be a center of Muslim
  scholarship
• Invaded by Moroccans (used guns)

12
zimbabwe

• Successors of the Bantus
• Built stone walls
• Center for manufacturing