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Ancient Africa Part II

Ancient Africa Part II. The kingdom of Axum reached from the mountains in East Africa to the Red Sea and flourished between 300 B.C. and A.D. 600. The people there were descended from African farmers, Middle Easterners and Jews.

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Ancient Africa Part II

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  1. Ancient Africa Part II

  2. The kingdom of Axum reached from the mountains in East Africa to the Red Sea and flourished between 300 B.C. and A.D. 600. • The people there were descended from African farmers, Middle Easterners and Jews. • The two cultures blended and created a new language called Geez.

  3. Axum grew very wealthy through trade. • One of its main cities, Adulis, was a port on the Red Sea. Here, goods such as ivory, animal hides, and gold were brought to market. • Axum controlled a triangular trade network between Africa, India, and the Mediterranean.

  4. Axum converted to Christianity in the 300s by King Ezana. • This conversion strengthened the kingdom’s ties with North Africa and the Mediterranean. • However, when Islam spread in the 600s, Axum became isolated and declined.

  5. Obelisk

  6. Ethiopia • Axum cultural & religious influence still thrived • Their unique culture and history helped unite the people • Protected by rugged mountains and carved churches into the rock • Claimed descent from Israelite king Solomon • Recorded in ancient book called The Glory of Kings and reinforced by fact that Ethiopians observe some of the Jewish holidays and dietary laws

  7. King Lalibelacame to power in Ethiopia in the early 1200s. • He directed the building of Christian churches, carved down into solid rock.

  8. Some made pilgrimages to Jerusalem. Ethiopian Christians kept ties with the Holy Land in the Middle East. Ethiopian Christianity absorbed local customs over time.

  9. Growing Trade • Monsoon winds carried ships NE to India in summer and back to Africa in winter • Rulers welcomed ships for trade • Slave trade developed

  10. Trade linked distant ports in Africa, Asia, and the Middle East.

  11. Swahilideveloped as greater numbers of people began to settle in East Africa. • Arabic words were absorbed into the Bantu-based language to create Swahili, an Arabic word meaning “of the coast.” This vibrant trading culture on the coast of East Africa led to the emergence of a new language.

  12. Zimbabwe “Great stone buildings” • Little is known about development • Raised cattle, stone walls, palaces. Capital at height about 1300. Gold resources and in a trade network. Artisans present • Little is know about government, God-King? • Decline 1500? • Over farming, civil war, dwindling trade

  13. Farming • Slash-and-burn agriculture? • Cleared forest and brush land with iron axes and hoes, burned the remains, using the ash for fertilizer • Why would this be good and bad?

  14. Kingdom of Kongo • 1500 central Africa • Many villages grouped into districts and governed by officials appointed by the king • Each village had own chief • King’s power limited, chosen by board of electors and governed by traditional laws • Could only call on men to fight in times of need

  15. Family • Hunting and gathering had nuclear family? • Parents and children living and working together as unit • Joint families? • Several generations shared same complex of houses • Patrilineal? • Kinship ties and inheritance passed through father’s side • Matrilineal? • Passed through mother’s side • Lineage? • Group of households who claimed common ancestor, several formed a clan

  16. Culture • Religion- Many tribes had many gods even though most Africans believed a single, unknowable supreme being was creator and ruler of the universe that was helped by the lesser spirits. Enter Christianity and Islam • Giots (gree ohz)? • Professional storytellers to keep history alive

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