History of Africa - in a Nutshell (Reclaiming a History of Africans)

History of Africa - In a Nutshell (Reclaiming a History of Africans) In what ways did Africans develop Civilizations, Community, Government, Trade, and Religion?

Olaudah Equiano’s Story as a Doorway to Africa  Equiano & Oral History - stories of his people told to him by elders and griots - text bio  Equiano was captured amidst conflict in the Kingdom of Benin map image -

Africa - “Huge and Diverse”?  Different Climatic Zones – N to S > Sahara desert, savannah, rain forest, and savannah (remember “geographic determinism”?)  As “birthplace of humanity” with hominids (4M yrs ago), and Homo erectus (1.6M yrs ago)

What were some major African civilizations?… Egyptians – Old Kingdom(2700 BCE), then New Kingdom (1550 BCE) with hierarchical power had controlled much of N. Africa - competed with Nubians link link and Kush site Kush - developed own kingdom based on agriculture, commerce, and iron manufacturing. They had urban centers and dominated trade to Red Sea (ivory, gold, salt) Kushites moved capital to Meroe (540 BCE), where iron working was developed. Traded w/ Roman Empire Axum (Ethiopia), as first Christian state in Sub-Sahara, also developed commerce – competition & warfare with Kush

What about Religion?  300-500 C.E.  Christianity (Coptic Church) - Oral tradition included Biblical stories  Islam - Koranic stories spread with trade across North and West Africa  Traditional Religions - w/ much reflection of natural world and human spirits  Blending (assimilation) common

What were some major West African Civilizations? – Characterized.. Nok Culture in Central Nigeria (500 BCE - 200) map link - Highly specialized iron working, craftspeople, w/chiefs and kinship councils

- Temples and Art devoted to Natural Gods and Heroic Ancestors

Ancient Ghana (~400 - 1076)  Controlled trade across West and Central Africa map - traded silk, cotton, glass, horses, and salt. Exported - gold, rubber, pepper, ivory, brass, and small number of slaves - much contact with Berbers and Arabs  By 1100 - 200,000 warriors  Read…”Al Bakri Describes Kumbi Saleh and Ghana’s Royal Court” (p16)  What surprised you least? Most? Kingdom of Mali (1230-1468)  Centers of trade became Gao, Kungube, Jenne  University of Sankore - center of learning in Timbuktu  Taught there: Koranic theology, diplomacy, Sharia Law, Geography, Math. Numerous Islamic schools also there.  Sundiata Keta first ruled over Mali (1240-1255)  Mansa Kang Musa, (1312-1332) -more devout Muslim, made pilgrimage to Mecca w/ 500 slaves - each with Gold staffs  Camel Caravan - thousands of servants, 30,000 lbs of gold

Songhai Empire (1464-1591)  Under Sunni Ali, Timbuktu and Jenne flourished  180 schools in Timbuktu under Askia Muhammad Toure - white and black scholars - studied grammar, literature, geography, science, law, surgery, and diplomacy  In 1591 - Morocco sultan ordered attack w/firearms on Songhay - 20,000 Moroccans died - Songhay’s power also weakened dramatically

Civilization in Southern Africa? Great Zimbabwe ( ? - 1450) - Stone temples and ruins indicate a great trading empire based on cattle, agriculture, and gold ( link pic )

Civilizations in West African Forest Region?  Senegambia and Akan States – Islamic influenced, heirarchical societies, developed trading of slaves with outside contacts.  Benin (Equiano’s nation)- In 1400’s city of Benin became nation-state map, Islamic influenced. Medicine - practice of “bleeding” (like Europe & US) Ceremonial music and dance (battle, marriage,etc.) Agriculture and Trade - received copper, coral beads, umbrellas, and guns in exchange for prisoners of war (slaves)

What about African Women as Leaders?  Remember, numerous examples of African societies that were Matriarchies existed and still do.  Link to Website on “African Queens” and Harlem Studio

Going Way Back…  Early Bantu migrations (5000 - 1500 B.C.E.) map  Cultural Traits of Bantu societies a) Local b) Communal c) Traditional (Patriarchs and Matriarchs) d) Religious - Supreme Being, Natural and Human Spirits (both friendly and hostile) remain. Can often be summoned or deterred.