Chapter 15

Societies and Empires of Africa 800-1500

Vocabulary I Linage: Common ancestors Stateless Societies: cultures based on

ancestral linage instead of government Ghana: The first west African kingdom

based on Gold/Salt trade Mali: West African kingdom based on

Gold/Universities/Mansa Musa Sundiata:1st Great leader of Mali. Cruel

and unpopular.

Vocabulary II Mansa Musa: Islamic Mali King. Hajj. Built

Mosques/University at Timbuktu Ibn Battuta: African Marco Polo. 27 years of

travel in the Muslim World Songhai: West African kingdom that took over

Mali. Muslim rulers. Lacked modern weapons. Benin: African Culture on the Niger River.

Bronze/Brass artifacts Swahili: Arabic Language diffused with Bantu

language Great Zimbabwe: South East African Trade

city. Gold/Trade hub.

Geography of Africa

North and Central African SocietiesChapter 15:1

North and Central African Societies

Hunter-Gathering Societies Matrilineal vs. Patrilineal

Most societies are patrilineal or traced ancestry through father

Hunter-Gatherer = nomadic Most northern and central African societies

were nomadic due to harsh climate (too dry or rainforest)

Islamic InfluenceIslamic influence Rise of Islam in Africa

Mostly along northern and eastern coasts; introduced to Africa through trade and conquest

Brought Islamic law and traditions to Africa as well as written language (Arabic)

African SocietiesSTATELESS SOCIETIES S.S. are based on

families/clans They serve as the

government Patrilineal: Father Matrilineal: Mother Age Set System

Right of passage based on age!!

MUSLIM STATES Maghri(e)b: Northern

Africa/Mediterranean Islamic Law runs

life/government

Main Idea Questions

1. What sorts of food did the Efe hunt and gather in the Iturbi Forest?

2. What different purposes does the age-set system serve in African societies?

3. What role did Islam play in the political history of Northern Africa?

West African Civilization15:2

Empires of Gold and Salt

Ghana, Mali, and Songhai Gold/Salt Trade

Trade for Gold and Salt along Niger River and trans-Saharan trade routes made all three kingdoms flourish

Trade was single most important factor for success of all three kingdoms

Influence of Islam

Islam brought to Africa along the trans-Saharan trade routes

Islam was practiced by all major west African rulers

Blended Islam with native African Religions

Important West Africans

Mansa Musa Led kingdom of Mali

during Golden Age Went on famous

pilgrimage to Mecca 1324

Control of Gold and Salt Trade (100,000 men)

Built the city of Timbuktu – the most famous trade city of Mali/University

Ibn Battuta “Muslim Marco Polo” Traveled the length

of the Muslim World during 1500s, wrote accounts of each Muslim country he visited

Most important primary source for historians on Muslim countries during the late Middle Ages

Kingdom of Benin Located south of

Ghana, Mali, and Songhai on West African coast

Isolated due to location away from major river

Known for distinctive African artwork free from foreign influence

Main Idea Questions

1. How did Ghana’s gold-salt trade work?

2. How did Sunni Ali build an Empire?

3. What form of government was typical of Hausa city-states?

Eastern City-States and Southern EmpiresChapter 15:3

East Coast Trade Cities

Indian Ocean Trade Network

Stretched from Indonesia and China in the east to Africa in the west

Kilwa, Mogadishu, and Mombassa most important trade cities in east Africa

Traded ivory, gold, and slaves

Islamic Influences

Islamic Influences Most city-states ruled by Muslims and

followed Islamic Law

Arabic language combined with Bantu to form Swahili

Southern Africa and Great Zimbabwe

Great Zimbabwe From 1200-1400, this

city controlled inland Africa

Many ruins are left from this site, including huge city structures and walls

Considered to be African culture most free from outside influence

Europeans arrive in Africa Portuguese

Arrived along African coast in the late 1400’s

Built trade forts along African coast and captured many trade cities

Brought European influence to Africa including Christianity

Began European slave trade by exploiting existing slave trade

Main Idea Questions

1. How did the Swahili Language develop?

2. How was Islam introduced to East Africa?

3. How did the people of Great Zimbabwe positively interact with their environment?