Africa: A Cornucopia of Kingdoms

Bantu Migration 1500 BC- Farmers around Benue and Niger Rivers

begin to migrate south and east*

Brought with them their languages and knowledge of agriculture and metallurgy

This movement of people is referred to as the Bantu Migration*

Continued over the course of 2,000 years

Why migrate? Climatologic experts believe that the Sahara

Desert began to expand in size due to lack of rainfall.*

People move through the rainforests of Africa and into the south and eastern parts of the continent.

As the Bantu people migrated, they spread their culture and ideas to new areas.*

Effects of Migration The Bantu people assimilated with many other cultures in

Africa.*

Those that they did not assimilate with were forced to find ways to get along with the Bantu, get out of their way, or defend their lands and way of life.

Some cultures still survive today and do not speak the Bantu language.

Although the migrations produced great diversity of cultures, language had a unifying power on the continent.

Trade* Bantu merchants trade: Salt Rhino Horns Tortoise Shells Ivory Emeralds Gold

In return they received cloth, glass, olive oil, wine, brass, iron, and copper.

Culture and Innovations

Aksum was one of only three ancient African kingdoms to create a written language.

First state south of the Sahara to mint coins.

Used terraces* to farm hillsides.

Dug canals, dams, and holding tanks.

Fall of Aksum Between 632-750 Islamic invaders conquered much of the

Mediterranean.

Aksum protected Muhammad’s family and followers when the religion was rising to power.

Instead, they traded with them until around 710 when the sea ports were destroyed.

What are the consequences of having trading power taken away?

The Other Side of the Sand The kingdoms of Mali and Ghana were on the other side

of the Sahara Desert in west Africa.*

As Islam spread across north Africa, the Sahara Desert was penetrated by Islamic traders.

These caravans traded with the local kingdoms, opening them up to the known world.

What do you think these kingdoms had that the traders wanted?

GOLD Arab writers told about Ghana having the richest

gold mines in the world.*

The Soninke people also sold slaves, salt and copper in exchange for textiles, beads and finished goods.

They built their capital city, Kumbi Saleh, right on the edge of the Sahara – becomes most important trade city.

Islam Spreads, Ghana Falls The Islamic community at Kumbi Saleh remained a separate

community quite a distance away from the King's palace. It had its own mosques and schools, but the King retained traditional beliefs.

With the traders came not only goods but also non-traditional Islam. Soon, the King looses his trading monopoly.*

Harsh drought kills off cattle and crops.*

For Ghana, the result was devastating. The people fought against Islam for years and would eventually win. However, they were crippled after this.*

Slowly new gold mines develop outside of the previous kingdom and Islamic influence transitions the empire into the next: Mali.*

Mali The emperor Malinke organized the old Ghana with the new Mali to create one

giant empire.*

The Mali Empire had access to the Niger river to allow for stable crops, river trade, and an eventual monopoly- this strengthens the empire beyond Ghana’s power.*

One of the greatest Mali rulers, Mansa Musa*, built a capital at Timbuktu and expanded the kingdom well beyond the bounds of Ghana.

In 1307, Mansa Musa performed the Hajj.*

He brought with him camels and tons of wealth in gold and jewels.

How do you think he was received and what were the impacts of this?

Prosperity and Decline He divided the empire into provinces, each with

its own governor, and towns that were administered by a mochrif or mayor.

Timbuktu becomes cultural center* (yes, it’s a real place)

A huge army kept the peace, putting down rebellions in the smaller kingdoms bordering the central part of the empire, and policing the many trade routes. *

Mansa Musa gave the kingdom to his sons*…uh oh.

Timbuktu

Becomes learning center

Universities are created to school subjects

Drew students from all over Africa and Arabia

How do we know this?

Oral literature was an important part of life in most African communities.*

The stories were told the same way for so many generations that people knew the lines.

Everyone was able to participate in the story telling by reciting at appropriate times.

Closure

What are three general causes of migration?

Why was Aksum so powerful?

How did Islam impact Ghana and Mali?

How do the African kingdom we learned about today compare to previous kingdoms?