chapter 19wp.lps.org/tlarson/files/2013/08/chapter-19.pdf · 2013. 10. 7. · slave trading !...

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Chapter 19

States and Societies in Sub-Saharan Africa


Effects of Early African Migrations

n  Bantu-speaking peoples settle south of Equator n  Agriculture, herding spreads with Bantu

migrations n  Iron metallurgy


Bantu Migrations, 2000 BCE-1000 CE


Cultivation of Bananas

n  Domesticated in south-east Asia n  Malay sailors colonize Madagascar, 300-500 CE

q  Introduce bananas, yams, chickens n  Well-adpated to African climate n  Food supply increases with this key crop


Population Growth

0

5

10

15

20

25

400 BCE 0 800 CE 1000 CE

Millions


Kin-Based Societies

n  Stateless, segmentary societies n  No elaborate hierarchies, bureaucracies n  Average population of village: 100 n  Ruled by elders n  Network of villages resolve disputes in ad hoc

manner n  Higher government authorities rare


Chiefdoms

n  Population pressures after 1000 increase competition, disputes

n  Small chiefdoms appear, overrule kin-based groups

n  Small kingdoms form q  Ife, Benin


Kingdoms and empires of sub-Saharan Africa, 800-1500 C.E.


Kingdom of Kongo

n  Basin of the Congo (Zaire) river n  Conglomeration of several village alliances n  Participated actively in trade networks n  Most centralized rule of the early Bantu kingdoms n  Royal currency: cowries n  Ruled 14th-17th century until undermined by

Portugese slave traders


Islamic Kingdoms and Empires

n  Islam spreads to west Africa q  Trans-Saharan caravans q  Coastal east Africa through maritime trade

n  Profound influence after 8th century


Trans-saharan Trade and Islamic States in West Africa n  Desiccation of Sahara begins c. 5000 BCE n  Introduction of Arabian camels revolutionizes

trade q  70-90 days to cross Sahara

n  Arabs establish trading communities q  Gao


The Kingdom of Ghana

n  Not related to modern State of Ghana n  Developed 4th-5th c. CE n  Protection against camel-driving raiders n  Center of African gold trade

q  Imported from south to Ghana

n  Also sold ivory, slaves


Koumbi-Saleh

n  Capital of Kingdom of Ghana n  High point 9th-12th centuries

q  Population 15,000-20,000 n  Military, cultural center


Islam in West Africa

n  Kings of Ghana convert 10th c. n  Positive impact on trade, relations with north

Africa n  Synthesized Islam with local traditions

q  Nearby Takrur aggressive missionaries


Sundiata (r. 1230-1255)

n  Empire of Mali extends over Kingdom of Ghana q  Neighboring kingdoms as well

n  Took greater advantage of trans-Saharan trade n  Nominally Muslim, but did not force conversions


Mansa Musa (r. 1312-1337)

n  Grandson of Sundiata n  Fervent Muslim n  Performed Hajj in 1324-25

q  Constructed numerous mosques q  Supported Muslim scholars

n  Empire declines after his rule


Mansa Musa


The Indian Ocean Trade and Islamic States in East Africa n  East coast maritime trade weak until 2nd century n  Bantu peoples populate coast n  Swahili (“coasters”) engage in trade with Arabs

q  Language a form of Bantu, influenced by Arabic n  10th century trade increases


The Swahili City-States

n  Great wealth, 11th-12th centuries CE n  Development of city-states n  Architecture moved from wood/mud to coral,

stone n  Chinese silk, porcelain imported


Nok Sculpture


Kilwa

n  City-state on east African coast n  Fishing, limited trade, 800-1000 CE n  Turn to agriculture, increased trade in pottery and

stoneware n  Major trading center by 14th century

q  Exporting over a ton of gold per year by 15th century CE


Zimbabwe

n  “dwelling of the chief” n  Stone complex called “Great Zimbabwe” built

early 13th century CE, capital n  Population 18,000 in late 15th century n  Managed trade between internal and coastal

regions


Islam in East Africa

n  Ruling elites in east Africa accept Islam without forcing general population to convert

n  Often retained pagan religious traditions and practices

n  Islam serves as social glue with other merchants, states


Arabian Society and Cultural Development

n  Some kingdoms, empires, city-states with well-defined classes q  Ruling elites q  Merchant class q  Peasant class

n  Other areas in sub-Saharan Africa continue to use traditional kin-based groups


Kinship Groups

n  Extended families, clans n  Idea of private property less prevalent n  Land held communally n  Harvests distributed by elders


Sex and Gender Relations

n  Men work with specialized skills q  Tanning, iron work q  Heavy labor

n  Both sexes work in agriculture n  Male rule more common, but some expanded

roles for women q  Merchants, some military activity

n  Islamic norms slow to penetrate African society


Age grades

n  From early agricultural period, Sudan n  Peer groups of single age cohort n  Crosses lines of family and kinship


Slavery

n  Practiced since ancient times n  Most slaves captives of war

q  Debtors q  Suspected witches q  Criminals

n  Used principally in agricultural labor n  Slave possession a status symbol


Slave Trading

n  Increased trans-Saharan and Indian Ocean trade stimulates slave trade, 9th c. CE

n  Africa replaces eastern Europe as principal source of slaves

n  Creates internal African slave trade q  More powerful states attack smaller kinship-based

groups q  10,000-20,000 slaves per year


Arabian Swahili Slave Trade


The Zanj Revolt

n  Slaves from Swahili coast exported to work in Mesopotamia q  Sugarcane plantations q  Salt deposits

n  869 CE, slave Ali bin Muhamad mounts revolt of 15,000 slaves

n  Captures Basra n  Later crushed by Abbasids


African Religion

n  Great diversity of religious belief n  Common element: single, male creator god

q  Lesser deities associated with natural phenomena n  Ancestor worship n  Diviners

q  Religious specialists, principally men q  Oracle reading, spells, other rituals

n  Limited emphasis on theology n  Morality, balance of nature important


Early Christianity in North Africa

n  1st century: popular in Egypt, north Africa q  Initially weak in sub-Saharan Africa

n  The Christian Kingdom of Axum, 4th c. CE q  Ethiopia q  Merchants, then kings convert q  Bible translated into Ethiopian q  Isolated during Islamic period, renaissance during 12th

century CE q  Massive churches carved out of solid rock


The Obelisk at Axum


Ethiopian Christianity

n  Isolation from other Christian areas until 16th century

n  Independent development n  Strong African influence

q  Spirit world q  amulets

chapter 19wp.lps.org/tlarson/files/2013/08/chapter-19.pdf · 2013. 10. 7. · slave trading !...

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