Empires of Sub-Saharan Africa

Iron Technology's Impact on West Africa• Before the Discovery of Iron

– Most people were hunter-gatherers– Tools and weapons were made of bone and stone

fixed to sticks• The Nok Use of Iron Technology after 500 B.C.E.

– Rocks were crushed into small pieces to extract the iron ore

– Iron ore was melted in a furnace or over a fire– Hammers were used to beat warm iron into tools

or weapons

• Iron Brings Revolutionary Changes–More efficient farming developed due to

iron tools such as axes and hoes–Larger meat supply was produced due

to iron-tipped weapons–Permanent settlements grew along

rivers as the number of farms increased–Job specialization led to the production

of more trade goods

• Early Trade Centers Develop–Jenne-jeno: inhabitants used Niger

River as a natural highway for trade

–Trade brought great wealth to those who controlled the West African cities

–Tremendous wealth allowed West African leaders to build powerful armies, which were used to invade neighboring territories

Bantu Migrations

• Bantu Origins –Bantu people originated in West Africa–

part of the Nok people

–After 500 B.C.E., iron technology allowed for increased food production and population

–Bantus migrated to central and southern Africa in three waves, between 500 B.C.E. – 1500 C.E.

• Bantu Societies–Economy based on hunting, fishing and

farming–In most, basic unit was household, or

family–Most Bantu people lived in villages of 5-

200 families–Gender roles were clearly defined–Age grades defined specific

responsibilities–Village council of elders made decisions

The Kingdom of Gold

• Trans-Saharan Trade–North Africans brought salt to trade for

gold

–Wangarans brought gold to trade for salt

–Ghana exploited geographic location and military power to tax all traders

• Indigenous Religions– Believed one god created world, and lesser

gods ruled over daily life– Believed disaster could be avoided by

pleasing gods with prayer and ritual

• Islam– Tolerance for Muslims, but Koumbi divided

between Muslims and Soninke– Most government officials and merchants

were Soninke converts

• Sources of Ghana’s Unity–King’s power was absolute; acted as

a sole judge in all criminal matters

–Large, powerful army and nobles enforced the king’s decisions

–Peasants contributed a portion of their harvest so that city dwellers could focus exclusively on their trade

• Sources of Ghana’s Strength (800-1500 C.E.)–Iron weapons allowed Ghana’s

large army to conquer neighboring territory

–Controlled trans-Saharan gold-salt trade

The Kingdom of Mali Under Mansa Musa

• The Fight of Control of Mali: Mandinke vs. Sosso– The Mandinke, under the leadership of

Sundiata, controlled Mali

– Sumanguru, the leader of the Sossos, captured Koumbi, a city in Mali, in 1203

– Legend indicates that both leaders used magic in the Battle of Kirina

– Sundiata’s victory expanded Mandinke territory and began the Empire of Mali

Mansa Musa: Sundiata’s Powerful Successor

• Mali at Its Height– Under Musa, Mali was twice the size of

Ghana

– Mali remained powerful for nearly 200 years

• Mansa Musa’s Pilgrimage– Brought thousands of people and

camelloads of gold with him

– Very generous with his gold

• Impact of Pilgrimage on Mali–Mapmakers began to include Mali on

maps–Qur’anic schools and Muslim

architecture built throughout Mali–Government officials read and wrote in

Arabic–Territory was divided into provinces

ruled by dugu tigis

The Swahili Coastal Trading States

• Geography’s Role in Trade–Sailors took advantage of monsoons to

travel between China and East Africa

–Kilwa’s deep and large harbor could hold the world’s largest ships

• Independent City States–Most important city-states: Mogadishu,

Malindi, Mombasa, Zanzibar, Kilwa, and Sofala

–Each one rule by an emir or sultan

–Rulers were supported by an elaborate and well-educated bureaucracy

• Swahili Culture–Bantu-speaking Africans converted to

Islam; intermarried with Muslim traders

–Swahili language combined Bantu, Arabic, and Indian

–Architecture, food, dress, farming, and government reflected combined African and Arabic styles

• Trade Dynamics–Chinese brought porcelain, silk and jade–Indians brought spices, rice, and cotton

cloth–Arabs and Persians brought incense,

glass, pearls, fabric, and Muslim culture–Europeans sought to become a

dominant trading power in East Africa

Great Zimbabwe: Monument to the Zimbabwe State

• The Shona Build Zimbabwe– Developed economy based on pastoral

agriculture– Mastered iron making and mined great

quantities of gold– Engaged in trade with coastal cities and

taxed visiting traders– Built Great Zimbabwe, capital city, as a sign

of the state’s prestige

• Zimbabwe’s Decline–Great Zimbabwe was abandoned after

1450–Some provinces of Zimbabwe state

declared independence–Monomutapa Empire replace Zimbabwe

as dominant power–Portuguese greed for slaves and gold

destroyed Monomutapa