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Download Chapter 15: Societies and Empires in Africa
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Chapter 15: Societies & Empires in Africa • 800-1500 • Throughout history different groups of Africans have found different ways to organize themselves to meet their political, economic, & social needs. • In the varied regions of Africa, climate & topography influenced how each community developed. How did Geography & Climate influence development in Africa? • Great variety – Climate – Topography – Landforms North & Central African Societies: Hunter-Gatherer • formed close-knit family groups • Oldest in world • Still around • Provide clues about ancient times Hunter-Gatherer Societies • Semi-nomadic • Few possessions, distinctive hunting techniques “Stateless” Societies • Power not centralized • Based on lineage groups not individual ruler – Family groups based on a common ancestor – Living members – Past generations – Future generations – Strong loyalty • balance authority among lineages of equal power • may be – patri-lineal – matri-lineal • Men usually hold positions of authority Muslim States • Islam spread across N. Africa• Rulers converted • Government based on Islamic Law (Sharia) • Muslim rulers relied on religious scholars as government advisors Berbers • • • • • Desert, mountain dwellers Indigenous to N. Africa Accepted Islam Maintained Berber Identity Almoravids & Almohads found empires that united N. Africa (Maghrib) Impact of Berber Rule • Spread N. African culture • Stability &order • Unity through Islamic teaching • North/South Trade flourished West African Civilizations • While Berbers built empires in N. Africa, three powerful empire flourished in West Africa in the Sahel-the savanna region just south of the Sahara • Grew strong by controlling trade Empire of Ghana • Around 200 AD, trade across Sahara was infrequent • Berbers began to use camels • Travel great distance without water • Taxed trade-grew wealthy Gold-Salt Trade • • • Arab & Berber traders crossed desert loaded w/salt, cloth, weapons, manufactured goods African traders brought gold north Merchants met in trade cities, exchanged goods, officials collected tax & ensured fair weights and provided protection from bandits Land of Gold • By 800, Ghana was an empire • King controlled trade, large army, demanded taxes and gifts from chiefs of surrounding lands. • King controlled supply of gold, kept price high • King was religious leader, judge, military commander • Head of government bureaucracy Islamic Influences • Islam spread through trade • Ghana’s rulers/elites converted to Islam • Common people kept traditional beliefs/practices • Islam spread literacy • Ghana lost power when Almoravids disrupted gold-salt trade Empire of Mali • By 1235 the kingdom of Mali had emerged. • Its founders were Mandespeaking people, who lived south of Ghana. • Mali’s wealth was also built on gold. Sundiata Conquers an Empire • A powerful king named Sundiata ruled Mali from around 1230-1255 AD. He became known as a mansa, or emperor. • He led the people in conquering and expanding his kingdom to be as great as Ghana had been. Mansa Musa Expands Mali (1312-1337) • Greatest king of Mali • developed gold/salt trade-kingdom became very powerful & rich • Made hajj to Meccaupon return built many mosques in Timbuktu • Attracted Muslim judges, doctors, religious leaders scholars Ibn Battuta: 1352 • Muslim legal scholar • Traveled throughout Muslim world -27 years • Wrote a journal • Praised the people of Mali for their study of Qur’an • Criticized lack of strict practice (women did not veil) • Within 50 years, gold trade shifted to new fields in East • Mali weakened Empire of Songhai • As Mali declined, Songhai east built an army & extended territory-gained control of trade routes. Gao was the capital. Songhai’s Powerful Leaders • Sunni Ali – Built a professional army • Askia Muhammad – Set up good government Other Peoples of West Africa: Hausa • Hausa City-States Other Peoples of West Africa: Yoruba Other Peoples of West Africa: Benin Eastern City-States & Southern Empires • • • In the 3rd century, Aksum traded extensively. From Red Sea it traded with Arabia, Persia, India & Rome Muslims cut them off from their port so they moved their capital south Other cities on East coast were thriving from Indian Ocean trade East Coast Trade Cities Kilwa Portuguese Conquest Islamic Influences Enslavement of Africans Southern Africa & Great Zimbabwe Great Zimbabwe Mutapa Empire
