early africa a wh1 presentation by mr. hess. part i: northeast africa – nubia, kush and axum
TRANSCRIPT
Nubia
• The Kingdom of Nubia was established by 3000 BC along the southern Nile (Sudan).
• The Nubians mastered the bow and arrow, and conquered neighboring communities.
Nubia, cont.
• Jewelry and pottery found in tombs of kings were as elaborate as the Egyptians’.
• Nubia evolved into the kingdom of Kush by 2000 BC.
Kush
• Kush was ruled by Egypt for 500 years, then gained independence around 1000 BC.
• Kush later ruled Egypt from 724 BC until 671 BC.
Kush, cont.
• Kush had a strong trading economy, which brought much wealth to its merchants and kings.
• Kush eventually was invaded by Axum in 350 AD.
Axum
• Axum was a trading power, exchanging goods with Egypt, Greece, Rome, Persia and India.
• Many Roman elements were adopted, including Christianity, which became the official religion around 330 AD.
Axum, cont.
• The rise of Islam contributed to Axum’s decline as it became economically isolated.
• It eventually became the Christian kingdom of Ethiopia.
Africa South of the Sahara
• Note: This part of Africa was generally not civilized until much later.– Most societies exhibited characteristics similar to
Neolithic cultures, and lacked the high level of organization that characterizes a civilization.
Nok Culture
• West Africa (present-day Nigeria) was dominated from 700 BC to 200 BC by the Nok culture.
• Nok culture was characterized by clay figurines and the use of metal farming tools.
The Bantu Migrations
• Scarce farmland caused huge food shortages, which led to a mass migration over 1000 years – the Bantu migrations.
• Many patterns were followed as people migrated from West Africa to all other parts of Sub-Saharan Africa.
• Some followed the Niger or other rivers; others moved into the rainforests of Central Africa or the savannas of East Africa.
The Bantu Migrations, cont.
• Sub-Saharan Africa became characterized by numerous villages, seldom connected politically or otherwise.– Result: diversity!
• Many villages were matrilineal societies.
The Bantu Migrations, cont.
• Gifts were given to a bride’s family to compensate for her loss when married.
• Jobs were given to males and females according to age.
• Religions were characterized by belief in a supreme creator god as well as lesser deities who represented aspects of nature.
• Social rules developed from religion.