AFRICAN HistoryAFRICAN HistoryIntroduction Introduction

Early History of AFRICAEarly History of AFRICA

Each region in Africa evolved Each region in Africa evolved differently, based on the region’s differently, based on the region’s geography and climate as well as geography and climate as well as its interaction with other peoples.its interaction with other peoples.

Bantu MigrationBantu Migration

From West Africa, groups of Bantu-From West Africa, groups of Bantu-speaking people migrated southward and speaking people migrated southward and eastward. (1000s bce to the 500s ce) eastward. (1000s bce to the 500s ce)

Bantu MigrationBantu Migration

Bantu MigrationBantu Migration

As they moved, population increased and As they moved, population increased and cultural diffusion and mixing forever cultural diffusion and mixing forever altered Africa.altered Africa.

(In some ways these migrations were like (In some ways these migrations were like the Westward Expansion of European-the Westward Expansion of European-Americans) Americans)

What caused sub-Saharan Africa What caused sub-Saharan Africa (and the Americas) to develop more (and the Americas) to develop more

slowly than slowly than EurasiaEurasia??

- Lack of domesticable grainsLack of domesticable grains- Lack of domesticable animalsLack of domesticable animals relative isolation by geography (the relative isolation by geography (the

Sahara desert & Atlantic Ocean winds).Sahara desert & Atlantic Ocean winds).- Limited momentum in the development Limited momentum in the development

of metals and technology.of metals and technology.

There were some early connectionsThere were some early connections

N Africa was connected to the N Africa was connected to the Mediterranean world. Which civs?Mediterranean world. Which civs?

East Coast Africa was connected East Coast Africa was connected to Indian Ocean trade. Which to Indian Ocean trade. Which civs?civs?

ConnectionsConnections

- The introduction of the camel & The introduction of the camel & improved ship building, improved ship building, technology, & navigation technology, & navigation techniques increasingly “opened techniques increasingly “opened up” sub-Saharan Africa. up” sub-Saharan Africa.

- Trade in slaves, gold, salt, ivory, Trade in slaves, gold, salt, ivory, and animal skins was helped build and animal skins was helped build the connections.the connections.

Gold – Salt Trade of West AfricaGold – Salt Trade of West Africa

East African TradeEast African Trade

OUTSIDE INFLUENCESOUTSIDE INFLUENCES

From the 700s to 1300s ce, Arab and From the 700s to 1300s ce, Arab and Islamic culture was the biggest Islamic culture was the biggest outside influence in Africaoutside influence in Africa

Much later, from the 1300s to 1900s, Much later, from the 1300s to 1900s, European (and later US) and European (and later US) and Christian culture was the biggest Christian culture was the biggest influence in Africa.influence in Africa.

Historians’ interpretation of AfricaHistorians’ interpretation of Africa

- The history of Africa has been The history of Africa has been writtenwritten mostly from the point of mostly from the point of view of “outsiders” who came into view of “outsiders” who came into the region after the 700s ce.the region after the 700s ce.

Why?Why?

- Oral tradition of African societies Oral tradition of African societies left no written records.left no written records.

What caused the “histories” of Africa What caused the “histories” of Africa to be incomplete, biased, or simply to be incomplete, biased, or simply

wrong?wrong?

- Many artifacts were destroyed by Many artifacts were destroyed by treasure hunters or biased treasure hunters or biased outsiders.outsiders.

- The racism by Europeans, Arabs, The racism by Europeans, Arabs, and others influenced the and others influenced the interpretation of historyinterpretation of history