African Empires
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Transcript of African Empires
Bantu Migration
3,000 BC - Farmers, herders Known for: Iron working, slash and burnOver 1,500 yrs, they migrated to S.
Africa
Cultural blending:Swahili – Arabic and Persian & Bantuhttp://
www.youtube.com/watch?v=eUdRSDcDQlY
Religion in Africa
Animism – The belief that spirits are present in animals,
plants, and other natural objects
Islam – Spread into Northern Africa through trade and conquest
Christianity –Brought into the Kingdom of Aksum
Religious Syncretism – Blending of religions
Trans Saharan Trade
Forests in West Africa – deposits of goldHowever, lacked salt
Sahara desert rich in salt
Cultural blending
Ghana
Became rich from taxing traders
Commanded an army and controlled trade
Influenced by IslamMuslim Almoravids
conquered and disrupted Ghana’s trade
Mali
New gold found east of Ghana
Twice size of Ghana
Sundiata – first great warrior leader of Mali
Mansa Musa – ruler of Mali who went on hajj Gave away enormous amounts of gold
Europeans learned of Mali’s wealth
Timbuktu – famous city in Mali, mosques, universities
Songhai
New gold fields developed eastward
Sunni Ali - military leader who expanded territory Conquered Timbuktu
Askia Muhammad – took over after Ali’s son was not a MuslimLed empire at its peak
The Fall
Songhai lacked modern weapons
1304 – Arabs developed first gun
1591 – Moroccan army invaded Songhai with gunpowder and cannons
Ended a 1,000 year period of powerful West African kingdoms